KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysian pop-punk band Bunkface will no longer be opening for Green Day at their highly anticipated concert on February 18 at the National Hockey Stadium, organisers announced today.
Concert organiser GoLive Asia cited “logistical, scheduling and production adjustments” as the reason for the change, assuring ticket holders that Green Day’s main performance will proceed as planned.
“Please rest assured that the main performance by Green Day will proceed as planned, and we remain committed to delivering an incredible concert experience for you,” the organiser said in an update to ticket holders.
“We sincerely appreciate your support and understanding, and we look forward to seeing you at the show.”
Bunkface’s removal comes amid backlash from Green Day fans over the band’s controversial past, particularly their history of anti-LGBTQ+ sentiments, which stands in stark contrast to Green Day frontman Billie Joe Armstrong’s outspoken advocacy for the community.
Fan backlash over opening act choice
News that Bunkface had been selected to open for Green Day sparked mixed reactions online. While supporters of the Malaysian band celebrated the opportunity, many Green Day fans criticised the decision, pointing to Bunkface’s history of homophobic remarks and their 2020 song Akhir Zaman, which contains anti-LGBTQ+ lyrics.
Armstrong, who came out as bisexual in the 1990s, has long been a vocal supporter of LGBTQ+ rights, leading fans to question why Green Day would allow a band with opposing views to open for them. Some also questioned why Bunkface, known for their pro-establishment stance, would agree to support a band whose ethos has historically been anti-establishment.
In 2020, Bunkface released Akhir Zaman, a song that contains lyrics perceived as condemning the LGBTQ+ community. A line in the song, “LGBT boleh pergi mampus” (which translates to “LGBT can go to hell” or “LGBT can go die”), sparked significant outrage.
Critics dismissed the track as a weak attempt at punk music relying on “puerile, hateful lyrics” for attention.
The band later defended the song, claiming it was not directed at any individual but rather meant as a warning in line with their religious beliefs. In a statement, Bunkface insisted the lyrics were meant for Muslims and that religious prohibitions should not be questioned.
Bunkface is also the composer and performer of “Malaysia Madani”, the theme song for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s Madani Administration, a track often aired and played at official Government events.
Their stance has put them at odds with the broader punk rock ethos, which is historically rooted in themes of rebellion, inclusivity, and countercultural defiance—values that Green Day has championed throughout their career.
Green Day has long been known for their political and social activism, using their music as a platform to voice support for progressive causes.
Most recently, the band expressed solidarity with Palestine by altering the lyrics of their song Jesus of Suburbia during a performance at the Corona Capital Festival in Mexico in November 2024. – February 10, 2025