Rebel Wilson Surprises Fans at Reading Festival, Joins The Kooks Onstage for ‘Gangsta’s Paradise’ Cover

Rebel Wilson Joins The Kooks for Surprise "Gangsta’s Paradise" Performance at Reading Festival

[Image: Rebel Wilson on stage with The Kooks, belting into a microphone as the crowd cheers. Caption: Rebel Wilson stunned fans with a rendition of Coolio’s hit alongside The Kooks.]

Rebel Wilson sent shockwaves through Reading Festival on Friday when she joined British indie band The Kooks for an unexpected performance of Coolio’s 1995 classic Gangsta’s Paradise. The 45-year-old Australian actress, known for her comedic roles, was introduced by frontman Luke Pritchard, who humorously dubbed her “Tazzie Young” before welcoming her onstage. The crowd erupted as Rebel joked, “I thought I should sing a classic Kooks song… but I was thinking about Gangsta’s Paradise,” leaving the band momentarily baffled before launching into the iconic rap track.

[Image: Luke Pritchard grinning at Rebel Wilson on stage. Caption: The Kooks’ Luke Pritchard welcomed Rebel with a playful movie scene invitation.]

Luke later explained the collaboration: “She got in touch saying she wanted to watch us, so I invited her to join. We expected her to pick one of our songs, but she only knew Gangsta’s Paradise!” The impromptu performance, complete with Rebel’s spirited delivery and champagne-spraying antics, became a festival highlight.

[Image: Rebel laughing mid-performance, holding a champagne bottle. Caption: Rebel Wilson sprayed the crowd with champagne after the song.]

The Kooks’ Comeback and New Album
The Brighton-formed band, famous for their 2006 debut Inside In/Inside Out, recently released their seventh album, Never/Know. Luke described the record as a “summery, upbeat” project crafted during chaotic moments at home with his kids. “It flew out of me in five days,” he told Daily Mail, emphasizing the album’s goal to uplift listeners during tough times.

[Image: The Kooks performing live, bathed in stage lights. Caption: The band’s new album blends indie rock with optimistic vibes.]

Reading Festival Highlights
This year’s festival, held at Reading’s Richfield Avenue, featured headliners like Chappell Roan, Travis Scott, and Hozier, whose viral hit Too Sweet dominated summer charts. New additions to the lineup included Limp Bizkit, D-Block Europe, and Bring Me The Horizon, promising a mix of rock, rap, and indie anthems.

[Image: Crowd at Reading Festival with hands in the air. Caption: The festival drew massive crowds with its star-studded lineup.]

Rebel’s Post-Performance Celebration
After the set, Rebel shared backstage snaps on Instagram, including shots of her swigging champagne and posing with The Kooks. The actress’s playful energy and viral moment cemented her status as a festival standout.

[Image: Rebel Wilson backstage with The Kooks, raising a glass. Caption: Rebel celebrated with the band after their unexpected collaboration.]

With surprise guests, genre-spanning acts, and high-energy performances, Reading Festival 2024 proved once again why it remains a cornerstone of the UK music scene.

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