As the world went into lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic, concerts and live shows were cancelled or postponed, leaving music fans disappointed and craving for live entertainment. However, Billie Joe Armstrong, the frontman of the iconic punk rock band Green Day, found a way to bring his music to fans in the comfort of their own homes through a series of intimate at-home performances. One of the most notable ones was his living room concert for iHeartRadio, which gave fans a chance to see him perform in a more personal setting. On April 17, 2020, Armstrong took to his living room and played a setlist of Green Day's greatest hits, including "Boulevard of Broken Dreams" and "American Idiot", as well as a cover of Tommy James and the Shondells' "I Think We're Alone Now". The concert was streamed live on iHeartRadio's YouTube channel and garnered over 2 million views, making it one of the most-watched virtual concerts during the quarantine period.Billie Joe Armstrong's Living Room Concert for iHeartRadio
Just a few days before his iHeartRadio performance, Armstrong also did a quarantine concert for Rolling Stone from his home in Oakland, California. The concert was part of the magazine's "In My Room" series, which featured artists performing from their own homes during the pandemic. Armstrong performed an acoustic set and took the opportunity to showcase some of his solo material, including "I Think We're Alone Now" and "Graffitia". He also shared stories behind the songs and even gave a shoutout to his Green Day bandmates. The concert was well-received by fans and critics alike, with Rolling Stone describing it as "stripped-down and intimate, but still just as powerful."Billie Joe Armstrong's Quarantine Concert for Rolling Stone
Another memorable at-home performance by Armstrong was for Global Citizen's "Together at Home" series, which aimed to raise funds for COVID-19 relief efforts. The concert, which was streamed live on various social media platforms, featured a lineup of popular artists including Lady Gaga, Elton John, and Paul McCartney. Armstrong performed a powerful rendition of Green Day's "Wake Me Up When September Ends" and dedicated it to those affected by the pandemic. He also encouraged viewers to donate to the cause and spread awareness about the importance of staying at home during these challenging times.Billie Joe Armstrong's At-Home Performance for Global Citizen
As part of his promotional tour for Green Day's album "Father of All Motherfuckers", Armstrong did a virtual concert for The Late Show with Stephen Colbert on March 12, 2020. The concert was broadcasted live on the show's YouTube channel, allowing fans from all over the world to tune in and watch. Armstrong performed the album's lead single "Oh Yeah!" and also did a cover of the Ramones' "I Wanna Be Sedated". He also took the opportunity to thank healthcare workers for their hard work during the pandemic and urged viewers to follow safety measures to help flatten the curve.Billie Joe Armstrong's Virtual Concert for The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
In May 2020, Armstrong teamed up with SiriusXM for a live stream concert where he performed a mix of Green Day's hits and some of his solo material. The concert was broadcasted on the radio station's app and website, giving fans a chance to enjoy the show from the comfort of their own homes. Armstrong also took the opportunity to interact with fans and answer questions submitted through social media. He talked about his quarantine experience and even did a Q&A session with his son, Jakob, who also performed a song with him. The concert received positive feedback from fans, with many expressing their gratitude for the opportunity to see Armstrong perform live during these trying times.Billie Joe Armstrong's Live Stream Concert for SiriusXM
In February 2020, just before the pandemic hit, Armstrong and Green Day's guitarist, Jason White, did an acoustic set for NPR's Tiny Desk Concert. The concert was filmed at the NPR Music office and featured stripped-down versions of Green Day's songs, including "Basket Case" and "Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)". Armstrong also performed a new song, "Graffitia", from their album "Father of All Motherfuckers". He joked about the title of the song and the challenges of playing an acoustic set, but ultimately delivered a captivating performance that showcased his musical talent and stage presence.Billie Joe Armstrong's Acoustic Set for NPR's Tiny Desk Concert
In 2005, Green Day did an intimate performance for MTV Unplugged, which was later released as a live album. The performance featured stripped-down versions of their songs, as well as covers of classic rock songs such as "Blitzkrieg Bop" and "We Are the Champions". Armstrong's raw vocals and emotional delivery made the concert a memorable one, and it showed a different side of the band that their fans had never seen before. The performance received critical acclaim and is still considered one of the best MTV Unplugged sessions to date.Billie Joe Armstrong's Intimate Performance for MTV Unplugged
In 2016, Armstrong made a surprise appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and performed a solo show, which included an acoustic version of Green Day's "Ordinary World" and a cover of "Satisfaction" by The Rolling Stones. He also sat down for an interview with Fallon, where he talked about his solo music and the future of Green Day. The unexpected performance received a standing ovation from the audience and reminded everyone of Armstrong's incredible talent as a musician and performer.Billie Joe Armstrong's Solo Show for The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
Before the pandemic, Armstrong was already familiar with the concept of at-home performances. In 2016, he did a home concert for Billboard where he played a mix of Green Day's songs and covers of popular tracks. The concert was filmed in his garage and showcased his love for music and performing. Armstrong also talked about his songwriting process and the inspiration behind some of Green Day's most iconic songs. He even gave a sneak peek of a new song, "Bang Bang", which was later released on their album "Revolution Radio". The intimate concert gave fans a glimpse into Armstrong's creative process and made them feel like they were part of the experience.Billie Joe Armstrong's Home Concert for Billboard
In April 2020, Armstrong joined other artists in BBC Radio 1's Stay Home Live Lounge, where they performed from their own homes to raise awareness for the COVID-19 pandemic. His performance of Green Day's "Graffitia" was accompanied by a video of him playing the guitar and singing in his backyard, giving a more personal touch to the concert. Armstrong also took part in a cover of Blondie's "Dreaming" with other artists, which received positive feedback from fans and critics. The concert raised funds for the World Health Organization's COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund and showed that even during difficult times, music can bring people together.Billie Joe Armstrong's Exclusive Gig for BBC Radio 1's Stay Home Live Lounge