Pop superstar Dua Lipa thrilled fans in San Francisco on Sunday night when she brought out Green Day frontman Billie Joe Armstrong for a surprise duet during her Radical Optimism world tour. The two performed the band’s 2004 hit “Wake Me When September Ends” to a roaring crowd at the Chase Center.
“San Francisco, how are you feeling?” Lipa asked the audience before introducing the surprise guest. “Every night we do a different surprise song by a local artist, and I immediately thought about San Francisco and all the incredible music that has come out of here. I thought about one band in particular… Join me in welcoming the incredible Billie Joe from Green Day!”
The performance marked the second night of Lipa’s back-to-back shows at the Chase Center. On Saturday, she honored another Bay Area music icon, performing a cover of “Piece of My Heart,” the classic hit originally recorded by Big Brother & the Holding Company featuring Janis Joplin.
Lipa’s tour has become known for its creative nods to local music scenes, with each stop featuring a special performance or collaboration. Throughout the Radical Optimism run, she has surprised fans by bringing out musical legends to share the stage.
Just last week at Los Angeles’ Kia Forum, she was joined by Gwen Stefani for a rendition of the No Doubt classic “Don’t Speak.” Before their performance, Lipa paid tribute to the singer, calling her one of her biggest inspirations. “I wanted to dive into one of my personal heroes,” she told the crowd. “Someone who’s influenced my music, my style, someone who I love as a performer, and someone who constantly keeps redefining herself and music. I just absolutely love her.”
In an interview with Rolling Stone, Lipa described performing with Stefani as a lifelong dream come true. “I’ve loved Gwen my whole life,” she said. “I’ve found her so inspiring. I’ve loved her music. I love her toughness. I love her voice. I love everything that she stood for.”
Lipa has two shows remaining on the North American leg of her tour, both scheduled for Seattle later this week. After that, she will head to South America and Mexico through November and early December. Lipa confirmed she is back in the studio working with producer Mark Ronson on new music. “I love working with Mark,” she said. “I’m so inspired by him. We work really well together, so I’m really excited.”
Fans in San Francisco witnessed not just a concert, but a cross-generational celebration of music—where pop met punk and two powerhouse performers shared a stage for one unforgettable night.
