Keanu Reeves and his band Dogstar reunite to perform first show in TWO DECADES at BottleRock Napa Valley music festival
Keanu Reeves reunited with his grunge rock band Dogstar to perform their first show in over two decades at the 2023 BottleRock Napa Valley music festival on Satuday.
The band formed in 1991 and released two studio albums and an EP before splitting up in 2002.
The Hollywood leading man, 58, looked right at home with his bass guitar in hand while on the Verizon stage with guitarist/vocalist Bret Domrose and drummer Robert Mailhouse.
Dogstar played new material from their upcoming third album along with old favorites during their set.
In an Instagram post shared last week, the band said they were 'over the moon' about being a late addition to the lineup and 'looking forward to a beautiful, rocking weekend.'
After their time at BottleRock, the John Wick star and his bandmates plan to schedule a number of other performance dates.
Rock on! Keanu Reeves reunited with his grunge rock band Dogstar to perform their first show in over two decades at the 2023 BottleRock Napa Valley music festival on Satuday
Reeves on bass: The Hollywood leading man, 58, looked right at home with his bass guitar in hand while on the Verizon stage
Reunion: The band formed in 1991 and released two studio albums and an EP before splitting up in 2002. Reeves was joined by guitarist/vocalist Bret Domrose and drummer Robert Mailhouse
The three-day festival is held annually in Napa Valley California and runs through May 26 to May 28.
Reeves looked rock star cool as he took to the stage in brown fitted pants, a black t-shirt and brown boots.
Standing stage left, the Point Break actor had eyes watching his every move, while Demrose belted out the vocals while playing guitar on stage right and Mailhouse keeping the beat in the back.
The headlining artists for day two included Duran Duran, Lizzo and Nile Rodgers & Chic, with other performance throughout the day by the likes of Meute, Carley Rae Jaspen, Leon Bridges, Tove Lo, Cautious Clay, Lupe Fiasco, Dogstar, which features Keanu Reeves, Three Sacred Souls, Jax, Dayglow, Paris Jackson and Japanese Breakfast, among many others.
Ahead of the festival gig, the guys announced that they have already assembled a fantastic team to help with the work that comes along with being in a band, and that they will be shooting a music video for their first reunion single.
'So much to do, but rest assured, we are on it,' they wrote.
'Can’t wait to share our new music with everyone. It’s the most satisfying and meaningful batch of songs we’ve ever done.
'Thanks again for being so patient with us. We truly have the best, most loyal fans,' the announcement concluded.
Dogstar's comeback may be short or sporadic, considering the three band members all have so-called day jobs that may make it difficult to maintain consistency and momentum.
The leading man of the John Wick and Matrix film franchises is soon to appear alongside Jonah Hill in a new project called Outcome, as well as an Aziz Ansari-directed comedy.
Lovin' it: The bassist touched his heart as he took in the crowd's energy
Reeves looked rock star cool as he took to the stage in brown fitted pants, a black t-shirt and brown boots
He looked to be having a blast playing with his bandmates again
Reeves undoubtedly made the ladies swoon during their set
The John Wick star was in the zone as he plucked away at the strings
The performed on the Verizon stage
The formation of the band all started with a chance encounter between Reeves and Mailhouse in a supermarket back in 1991.
The drummer-percussionist was wearing a Detroit Red Wings sweater-jersey, which caught the attention of the actor who's an avid hockey fan.
After striking up a conversation, the two became quick friends and ultimately they began to jam together after realizing they were also musicians and music lovers.
They were initially joined by Gregg Miller on guitarist and vocals in 1992, and then Bret Domrose joined as an additional singer and guitarist in 1994.
New music coming: Reeves and Dogstar announced they will be releasing new music
Video coming: Dogstar is planning to shoot a music video for their first reunion single
Promo mode: Dogstar recently released a picture from their first photoshoot in two decades
In an Instagram post shared last week, Dogstar said they were 'over the moon' about being a late addition to the lineup and 'looking forward to a beautiful, rocking weekend'
After MIller's departure in 1995, Domrose became the sole singer and guitarist, and then proceeded as a three-piece.
Dogstar had two releases in 1996, the EP Quattro Formaggi and their debut studio album, Our Little Visionary, in September of that year.
It would take about four years until the band dropped their follow-up, Happy Ending, in July 2000.
Domrose called the music on this record more 'pop-aggressive' than the band's earlier work.
Despite getting significant media attention due to Reeves being the bassist, the band would only garner moderate success during their run through until 2002, which is when they decided to breakup following a show in Japan in October.
The band is expected to update their fans on social media about upcoming shows and when the new music will drop.
