The Town 2025 Rock Day took place last Sunday, September 7th, at Cidade da Música, in the Interlagos racetrack, São Paulo. The date marks Brazil's Independence Day, and coincidentally – or not – the day featured shows by big names in the punk rock scene, known for their protest messages. It's worth noting that, at the same time, a pro-Bolsonaro demonstration was taking place on Avenida Paulista.
The One Stage
The day began on The One with Supla and the pioneering Brazilian punk band Os Inocentes , delivering a warm show that sparked the first punk mosh pits of the day. The performance was marked by protests in favor of a free Palestine, against the 6x1 work schedule, and chants from the audience of "no amnesty." The show demonstrated that Brazilian punk retains the genre's DNA, as stated by Clemente Tadeu, bassist of Os Inocentes: "Today is September 7th, Independence Day, and the true patriots are here." The stage continued with other national acts, such as the veterans who marked an era: Pitty and CPM 22, delivering moments of nostalgia.
The main attraction on stage, without a doubt, was Iggy Pop . The punk icon finally returned to Brazil after a tireless 10-year wait. A pioneer of punk rock, now 78 years old, Iggy delivered nothing less than expected: an infamous and controversial performance – albeit a little more restrained due to his age. For an artist who has literally delivered blood, drugs, and nudity in previous shows, today's performance was calmer, but no less intense.
Quebrada Stage
As the name itself suggests, it's a stage that reinforces the peripheral scene, and in the case of rock, it was no different. Black Pantera delivered their already well-known heavy performance, full of attitudes and pertinent messages, with openly anti-racist and anti-fascist speeches. The classic anthem "Fogo nos Racistas" (Fire on the Racists), sung in chorus, was present, along with "Cola" (a mosh pit moment exclusively for women) and a tribute to Ozzy Osbourne with "Mama, I'm Coming Home". The setlist also included the tracks "Padrão é o caralho" (Standard is Bullshit), "Sem anistia" (No Amnesty), and "Revolução é o caos" (Revolution is Chaos).
The partnership between Punho de Mahin & MC Taya brought female representation and strength to the stage, with protest speeches and the power of metal.
Skyline Stage and reviews of "American Idiot" and "American Jesus"
Before the punk headliners, Bruce Dickinson, the only representative of the heavy metal scene, performed on the main stage and also made his political statement. The show is part of The Mandrake Project Live 2025 , which is touring the United States. However, the Iron Maiden made time to come to Brazil and perform an exclusive show at The Town, celebrating the 40th anniversary of his first performance in Brazil with Iron Maiden at the first Rock in Rio.
Bruce Dickinson presented essentially the same setlist he's been doing in his shows, balancing the new album with classic solo songs . Before introducing the track "Rain on the Graves," Bruce said: "And you see a big, tall man in a black outfit, with a tail and horns and burning red eyes. And you say, 'Who is this asshole? Is he a Brazilian politician?' No, it's not that bad. It's just the devil." Which can be understood as a strong critique.
Called in at the last minute to replace the Sex Pistols , Bad Religion delivered one of the best shows. Known for their attitude and political message in their lyrics, the American band thanked the audience for their reception, taking the opportunity to highlight Brazil's Independence Day. Right at the beginning of the show, before playing the track "You Are the Government" from the 1988 album Suffer , vocalist Gregory Graffin said: "It's Independence Day and you are the government!".
This was one of the highlights of the performance, followed by the most famous song, which closed the show, "American Jesus," a social and political critique that satirizes the idea that the United States has its own Jesus, who endorses American policies and national superiority, a form of religious nationalism that justifies actions and ideologies.
Green Day was the main headliner on the Skyline Stage. Although not considered a punk icon – critics and fans of the original punk scene criticize this position – they are an important band for mainstream rock in the 90s, with punk roots running through their veins, and they proved it in the show. The band started strong with their most commercial hit, "American Idiot," in which they changed the lyrics to criticize Donald Trump, the president of the United States.
The original verse says "I'm not part of a redneck agenda," and at the show, vocalist Billie Joe sang "I'm not part of a MAGA agenda," in a critique of Trump's slogan: "Make America great again." At the end of the song, Billie Joe also remembered the commemorative date of the day, saying: "Happy Independence Day, Brazil."
The Town delivered a grand day of rock, along with improvements to the festival that made the audience experience much better compared to the first edition in 2013.
Our contributor Marcela Lorenzetti was also at the festival and captured the evening. Check out our exclusive photo gallery below.
READ ALSO: Iron Maiden will come to Brazil in 2026, says Bruce Dickinson
