June 5, 2026
Coming off the recent release of her debut album Be Sweet To Me, Violet Grohl brought her first headlining tour to Philadelphia’s World Stage. On Friday night, Grohl played an abbreviated set to a sold-out crowd, cutting the show short because she wasn’t feeling well.
Doors for the show at The Lounge at World Stage opened at 6:00, the intimate venue filling with fans well before the scheduled 8:00 showtime. Concert-goers of all ages gathered in front of the stage and at candlelit tables along the back of the venue. Shortly before the show was set to begin, a crew member came on stage, adding stars to the setlists in permanent marker.
Audience members looked at each other excitedly, curious about the adjustments –wondering what the additions could be in store. Excitement and curiosity continued to build as the clock struck 8:20 and Grohl still hadn’t taken the stage, prompting the crowd to question the delay.
Around 8:25, the four-piece band walked on stage – guitarists Salar Rajabnik and Tim Gray, bassist Ainjel Emme, and drummer Anthony Lopez. A moment later, Grohl joined them, appearing reserved and less lively than her counterparts. The set opened with the lead single “Bug In The Cake,” which Grohl had just performed the night prior on “The Tonight Show” in Brooklyn, making her television debut.
The set continued with “THUM,” “Last Day I Loved You,” and “Cool Buzz,” all new releases from Be Sweet To Me. Grohl remained reserved, giving a poised, but understated performance. Gripping the mic stand and keeping her eyes closed, she remained still, gently nodding her head throughout the performance. Between songs, she spoke briefly to address the crowd with gratitude and introduce the next title.
The band continued to drive the energy of the performance, engaging with the crowd and playing enthusiastically. Grohl sang unreleased track “Stimulant Breakfast” before going into album tracks “Big Memory,” “Mobile Star,” and “Applefish.” Next came fan-favorite “Sun Is Blind,” an unreleased track that highlights the heavy ’90s grunge-era sound and Grohl’s clean and haunting vocals.
A little over halfway through the setlist, audience members were surprised when the show came to an abrupt and unexpected end. Grohl addressed the crowd quietly, stating, “I’m not feeling well, so I’m going to hit the hay.” She thanked fans for coming, saying, “I’m feeling all the love and warmth. It means so much to me,” before walking off stage. Band members followed, expressing their thanks and apologizing for the sudden end to the show. Disappointed audience members began filing out of the venue or making their way to the bar.
Grohl gave Philadelphia a taste of Be Sweet to Me and left them wanting more. The brief headlining tour concluded in Washington, DC, the following night. Grohl will continue touring into the fall alongside The Breeders and at festivals such as Leeds, Reading, and Shaky Knees. Grohl also recently announced a headlining tour, which kicks off August 19 in Berlin. Tickets can be purchased here.
