Blink-182’s long-awaited reunion at Coachella sent fans into a frenzy and it even caught the attention of one of rock’s most respected figures: Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails.
Trent Reznor sends message to Tom DeLonge
In a new interview on One Life Once Chance podcast, guitarist and vocalist Tom DeLonge shared the story of how the band’s surprise Coachella performance went viral, and the unexpected message he received afterward from the industrial rock legend himself.
“And then also they’re like, you might be, you can do like a surprise thing at Coachella,” DeLonge recalled [as transcribed by AlternativeNation.net]. “Can his, well, his finger stay like together? Cause it’s just a very, bro. And he did. And that, that performance went viral.”
The moment marked Blink-182’s first full live performance together with their classic lineup since DeLonge’s return to the band, and it quickly became one of the festival’s standout highlights.
DeLonge revealed that once he returned backstage, he found a message waiting for him from none other than Reznor.
“You know it was good when I go back to my dressing room and I have a text on my phone from Trent Reznor from Nine Inch Nails, bro,” DeLonge said. “And Trent goes, ‘Holy sh*t. That was f**king super.’ He was like blown away.”
DeLonge, who’s long admired Reznor’s artistry and range, was floored by the praise.
“And I was like, Trent — like, I believe Trent can’t like blink. What did he do? You know, he’s so random. He’s just like a musician’s musician,” DeLonge continued. “You know, he’s got an Academy Award for sh*t. You know, he’s like, he’s f***ing… um, that’s pretty. I just have so much respect for him.”
Receiving recognition from the Nine Inch Nails frontman clearly meant a lot to DeLonge.
“I was so stoked. And I remember I was just like all hyped up. I was like, ‘You liked it?’ He was like, ‘Oh my God, yeah.’ So I was really stoked. I was like, it’s such a rad compliment coming from him.”
Blink-182’s surprise Coachella set reignited nostalgia for longtime fans and drew respect from across the music industry, even from a notoriously discerning artist like Reznor.
The performance served as a defining moment in Blink-182’s reunion era, proving that the band’s energy, chemistry, and emotional connection to their audience remain intact.
If you use any quotes from this article, please credit AlternativeNation.net for transcription.
