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Pavement Perform Clunky Cover of “Stairway to Heaven”
On Saturday at Oakland's Mosswood Meltdown festival, indie rock veterans Pavement delivered a deliberately terrible cover of the 1971 Led Zeppelin classic as part of their tour opener. Frontman Stephen Malkmus supplied ridiculous lyrics—including rhyming 'fandangos' with 'I like mangoes'—whilst performing an exaggerated, off-key impression of Robert Plant that was clearly meant as entertainment.
The performance showcased the band's willingness to lampoon both themselves and classic rock pretension, fitting in well with their broader 25-song setlist that included fan favourites such as 'Cut Your Hair' and 'Summer Babe'. The tour, marking their return to live performances, continues through late July with scheduled dates across major U.S. venues.
In short
- Pavement intentionally performed a clunky rendition of Led Zeppelin's 'Stairway to Heaven' at their Mosswood Meltdown tour opener in Oakland
- The satirical cover featured absurd lyrics and comedic vocals, demonstrating the band's humorous approach as they began their week-long U.S. tour
Explained simply
Pavement is an American indie rock band that rose to prominence in the 1990s as a key figure in alternative rock music. The group disbanded in 2010 but reunited for performances in recent years; their current tour represents a major return to live performance after an extended absence.
"Stairway to Heaven" is one of the most celebrated rock songs in history, released by Led Zeppelin in 1971. It remains a cultural landmark frequently referenced and covered by artists across musical genres, making it simultaneously iconic and familiar enough to become the subject of parody.
Pavement has long cultivated a reputation for irreverent, self-aware humour in their approach to rock music. The band's willingness to simultaneously honour and mock rock conventions has been central to their artistic identity throughout their career and continues to shape their reunion-era performances.