Pavement hilariously mangle Stairway to Heaven in Oakland

The ghosts of grunge and counterculture are still rattling the halls of indie music, and sometimes, they just decide to throw a spectacular, hilarious party. That is exactly what happened when the legendary US indie band Pavement returned to the road recently, trading their usual eclectic sound for a delightfully ramshackle tribute to rock history.

Last night, at an event hosted for Mosswood Meltdown in Oakland, California, Pavement delivered a performance that perfectly captured their chaotic charm. They put on a hilariously mangled cover of Led Zeppelin’s iconic ‘Stairway To Heaven,’ proving that even legends can be played with a healthy dose of irreverence and fun.

This appearance marked the band’s first live show since they graced the Hipnosis Festival in Mexico City, marking a triumphant return to the stage. The evening was packed with other cult talents, including sets from Wednesday and Vivian Girls, setting the stage for a truly kaleidoscopic night of music.

The moment that set the internet ablaze, however, came midway through their performance when guitarist Stephen Malkmus and his band took a detour. Instead of sticking to the familiar melody, they launched into a partial rendition of the classic Zeppelin track. Malkmus famously ditched the original lyrics in favor of half-improvised lyrics as he and his band loosely noodled their way through the epic tune, turning a sacred anthem into a delightfully chaotic mess.

This spontaneous musical freedom reflects Pavement’s enduring spirit. While they celebrate their history, they also embrace the absurdity of making art. This rebellious energy mirrors their recent creative output, including their first newly recorded music in over twenty-five years—a cover of Jim Pepper’s ‘Witchitai-To’. That track found its way onto the soundtrack for Alex Ross Perry’s unconventional film Pavements, a project that blended footage of their reunion rehearsals with elements of a biopic and museum exhibition.

The band’s artistic philosophy is as unpredictable as their music. When asked about finding joy in the process of creating art, Malkmus offered a wonderfully candid perspective: “It was a weird cultural thing, but by putting yourself out there, you have the opportunity for that to happen, even if you’re insecure or think your music is crap,” he shared. “You go ahead and do it, and then the world sees you. That’s a pretty fun part of doing any art, but specifically ours.”

Pavement’s reunion tour, which gained momentum in 2022, demonstrated that authenticity and humor are the perfect ingredients for a legendary performance. Their continued journey blends nostalgia with a very modern sense of self, offering audiences a masterclass in living unapologetically.

Catch the band live and experience this unique blend of history, chaos, and musical brilliance. Pavement is hitting the road again, and you don’t want to miss where they are headed next.

Pavement‘s remaining 2026 US dates include stops in Portland, Seattle, St. Paul, Chicago, Cleveland, Philadelphia, Richmond, and Nashville.