Coachella 2026: Suicidal Tendencies, Black Flag rep metal and punk at festival

With the same intensity and angst that made Venice-born Suicidal Tendencies local legends, the band delivered a hardcore set of their hits to bring a bit of metal and punk energy to the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival on Sunday, April 19.

“Right now we’re very happy to be here because we’re not supposed to be here, but that has never stopped us before,” band founder and lead singer Mike Muir told the adoring crowd, with an intense mosh pit starting as soon as the one-hour set began in the packed Mojave tent.

Sixty-three year old Muir ran around the stage, screaming out lyrics to songs like “Send Me Your Money,” “You Can’t Bring Me Down,” and of course their biggest hit “Institutionalized.”

“They’re just as intense as ever. I’ve seen them since I was young and I can’t believe the energy that’s still there,” said 50-year-old Troy Miller, who even considered getting into the pit.

A memorable moment for fans came when the band brought out Metallica bassist Robert Trujillo, who also used to be Suicidal Tendencies’ bassist. His 21-year-old son Tye Trujillo is now the current bassist for the band. The father and son jammed together as Muir hyped up the crowd and the mosh pit.

While the festival was headlined by young pop-acts that included Sabrina Carpenter, Justin Bieber and Karol G, older local punk and metal acts were still represented with bands that included Hermosa Beach’s Black Flag, led by guitarist Greg Ginn — the only original member left.

The band performed directly after Suicidal Tendencies next door at the Gobi tent. While their show attracted a much smaller crowd, and the band wasn’t as charismatic or as intense as Suicidal Tendencies, they still ripped through songs with female lead singer Max Zanelly screaming out lyrics and thrashing around the stage.