Rage Against the Machine’s headlining set at the Pinkpop festival on May 27, 1996, has been shared online by the festival’s archival channel. The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees delivered an electrifying 12-song performance, featuring a special guest appearance by Chuck D from Public Enemy. Together, they performed the then-unreleased track “Zapata’s Blood” and a cover of a Public Enemy classic.
This show marked Rage Against the Machine’s third appearance at Pinkpop, a festival that has been celebrating rock music since 1970 and attracts thousands of fans each year. The band, formed in Los Angeles in 1991, consists of vocalist Zack de la Rocha, guitarist Tom Morello, bassist Tim Commerford, and drummer Brad Wilk. They released their self-titled debut album in 1992, which showcased their unique blend of heavy metal, rap, punk rock, and funk, all wrapped in anti-authoritarian and revolutionary lyrics.
By 2010, Rage Against the Machine had sold over 16 million records worldwide. In 2023, they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, solidifying their legacy in music history. Chuck D later teamed up with some of the band members to form Prophets of Rage.
The 1996 Pinkpop performance was a memorable moment for fans, and the band returned for their fourth and final show at the festival in June 2008. This latest footage is a great reminder of their powerful live presence and the impact they’ve had on rock music.
