Watch: Ahead of Bonnaroo, Red Hot Chili Peppers' Chad Smith plays drums at downtown Nashville bar
It's Bonnaroo season, which means you never know which stars are out and about in Tennessee prior to making their way over to the Farm in Manchester, Tenn., Chad Smith, drummer for the rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers, popped up for a surprise performance in Music City on Friday night.
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member had a full night out in Nashville prior to his Saturday night headlining set with the Peppers at Bonnaroo.
He stopped by Miranda Lambert’s bar, Casa Rosa, and then hopped on stage for an impromptu drum performance at Morgan Wallen’s This Bar & Tennessee Kitchen.
Smith took the stage with Nashville band PJ Ferguson & The Tennessee Strange, which posted a video on Instagram with a caption that said, "Raging with a Chili Pepper in Nashville."
The band tagged Smith, saying, "@chadsmithofficial beatin' em up."
Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith warming up for Bonnaroo at a few Broadway bars in downtown Nashville ?????? pic.twitter.com/smpNXbJY6A
— Nate Bain (@natebain) June 15, 2024
Smith smiled onstage as he clanged and clamored on the drum set, playing AC/DC's "Highway to Hell" and "Killing in the Name" by Rage Against the Machine.
Tonight, Smith and band mates vocalist Anthony Kiedis, bassist Flea and guitarist John Frusciante will hit Bonnaroo's What Stage at 10:45 p.m.
Audrey Gibbs is a music reporter at The Tennessean. You can reach her at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: See Red Hot Chili Peppers' Chad Smith's Nashville jam before Bonnaroo