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The Capitol Theatre in New York briefly became rock’s playground when a private Eldridge Industries event gathered a constellation of stars. What began as a corporate party morphed into an impromptu tribute to classic rock, as artists from multiple generations traded original songs for daring cover versions.
An unexpected rock marathon at the Capitol Theatre
The invitation list read like a who’s who of modern rock and pop. In addition to Bruno Mars, the lineup included Eddie Vedder, Anthony Kiedis, Brandi Carlile, Yungblud and other high-profile guests. Fans who caught clips online watched familiar hits reimagined.
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The show blended nostalgia and spontaneity, with performers swapping roles and backing musicians to create a night of unpredictable collaborations.
Standout covers and surprising song choices
Artists leaned into classic anthems and deep cuts alike. Social posts and eyewitness reports outlined a mix of hard-rock staples and pop classics played through fresh lenses.
- Bruno Mars tackled rock staples such as Led Zeppelin’s “Whole Lotta Love” and Jimi Hendrix’s “Fire.”
- He also ventured into grunge and pop with renditions of Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit” and Michael Jackson’s “Dirty Diana.”
- Other notable covers included The Police’s “Roxanne” and Rolling Stones and Black Sabbath classics from the night’s opener.
Yungblud reportedly set the tone with Rolling Stones’ “Start Me Up” and Black Sabbath’s “War Pigs.”
What each headline artist delivered
Several performers ran through full mini-sets. The evening’s sequence allowed each to showcase influences and fan favorites.
- Brandi Carlile mixed her own material with rock covers, performing Led Zeppelin’s “Black Dog,” Queen’s “Tie Your Mother Down,” and her song “The Story.”
- Anthony Kiedis leaned into heavier fare, playing tracks that included “Ace of Spades,” “Search and Destroy,” and “Whipping Post.”
- Eddie Vedder offered Pearl Jam staples like “Wishlist,” “Corduroy,” and “Better Man,” even weaving a medley with the Rolling Stones’ “Waiting on a Friend.”
The Dirty Bats: a supergroup holding the night together
Behind many guest vocals stood a tight backing band billed as The Dirty Bats. The group featured Slash and Duff McKagan of Guns N’ Roses, Chad Smith from the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and producer/multi-instrumentalist Andrew Watt.
The Dirty Bats provided consistency across the evening, staying onstage as the core ensemble while different singers stepped up.
Bruno Mars’ rock persona and stage look
When Mars took the spotlight, he adopted a distinct rock-leaning persona. Fans noticed his wardrobe as much as his song choices.
- Outfit: baggy jeans, a loose white belt, a leather jacket and Vans sneakers.
- Accessories: sunglasses and a backwards baseball cap completed the skater-punk vibe.
The result was a visual nod to 1980s skater style, which dominated reactions on social platforms.
Final rounds and the celebratory send-off
After individual sets, musicians united for a rousing close. Multiple performers joined for a trio of songs that wrapped the night in communal energy.
- Collective highlights included Chuck Berry’s “Johnny B. Goode.”
- The group also took on Neil Young’s “Rockin’ in the Free World” to finish the event on a high note.
The evening fused corporate hospitality with rock show spontaneity, leaving attendees and online viewers talking about the unlikely but electrifying combination of stars and covers.
