After more than 20 years, Keanu Reeves has made a triumphant return to the stage with his band Dogstar, delighting fans with their first public performance in decades.
Known as Hollywood’s most beloved figure, Reeves, aged 58, is not only an accomplished actor but also the bass player in the alternative rock band Dogstar, which was originally formed back in 1991.
The band disbanded in 2002 but recently surprised fans by announcing their comeback.
Taking to Instagram, the band shared a behind-the-scenes photo, hinting at exciting news to come: “Last set up on the roof in Lincoln Heights for @dogstarband photo shoot. Exciting news coming soon. Thanks for being so patient.” Soon after, Reeves and his bandmates graced the stage at the esteemed 2023 BottleRock Napa Valley festival.
Despite his fame, Reeves couldn’t escape the nerves that come with a live performance.
Before taking the stage, his bandmate Robert Mailhouse offered some words of encouragement. Recalling the moment, Reeves shared with the San Francisco Chronicle, “He was just super positive… He was like, listen to the music. Just be present in the song, and it will go from there.”
The crowd erupted in chants of “We love John Wick” every time Reeves’ face appeared on the big screen.
Considering the band hadn’t performed live in 23 years, their return was an overwhelming success. They treated fans to a mix of their previous hits while also offering a sneak peek into their upcoming album, performing unreleased tracks.
When asked about the band’s extended absence, Bret Domrose, who replaced Gregg Miller in 1995, explained, “It just organically happened. There was never a big blowout… We took a break, and it was a really long break.” Despite the hiatus, Reeves clearly missed his bandmates, as they occasionally got together for impromptu jam sessions.
In an interview with Billboard, Reeves expressed his longing for the band, stating, “I missed playing together, I missed writing together, I missed doing shows together. It’s something I’ve always missed… Once we started to play, and it felt good and really positive and creative, that’s when it was like, okay, let’s make this happen.”
Excitingly, the band is now gearing up for a tour, giving fans across the country the opportunity to witness Reeves and his bandmates in action once again. Reflecting on their future plans, Reeves shared, “Today was like our first kind of foray out. The band wants to play. We have a record, so we’re just kind of trying to figure out the best way to marry those two things.”
For those who have long admired Reeves and his musical talents, the prospect of experiencing both his on-screen and musical prowess in person is undoubtedly enticing. Dogstar’s return has left fans eagerly anticipating what the future holds for the band, and we can’t wait to witness their next chapter unfold.
