Violet Grohl, the daughter of Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl, is launching her professional music career with the debut album Be Sweet to Me and a series of global live performances. Grohl is transitioning from a lifelong immersion in music to fronting her own band, utilizing a collaborative recording process with producer Justin Raisen to establish a sonic identity distinct from her family name.
The upcoming schedule for Grohl includes high-profile appearances at the Reading and Leeds festivals in the United Kingdom in late August, as well as U.S. dates at Chicago’s Riot Fest, Atlanta’s Shaky Knees, New York’s CBGB Festival and All Things Go in Columbia, Md. In late November and early December, Grohl will open five European arena shows for artist beabadoobee, marking the largest performances of her career to date.
Recorded at the home studio of Justin Raisen—a producer known for work with Kim Gordon and Charli xcx—the album Be Sweet to Me emerged from a rapid, communal session. Grohl reported that the recording process shifted from a solitary, perfectionist approach to a fluid environment where songs like “THUM” were completed on the first day of tracking.
How does Violet Grohl’s musical style differ from the Foo Fighters?
While Grohl acknowledges that growing up around music was formative, she describes her debut work as an effort to carve out a space outside of her family name. The sound of Be Sweet to Me is described as a blend of 1990s alternative influences, such as the Breeders, the vocal style of the Sundays’ Harriet Wheeler, and elements of modern industrial metal. Grohl also cited the influence of filmmaker David Lynch on her non-album single “What’s Heaven Without You,” released in early 2026.
Live performances feature a band consisting of drummer Anthony Lopez, guitarist Salar Rajabnik, and bassist Ainjil Emme. During rehearsals in Los Angeles in April 2026, the group focused on balancing aggressive tracks with slower, heavier material. Grohl stated that the project is a collaborative effort where musicians work for the “greater good” of the songs rather than serving a single leader.
The setlists for her upcoming tour will include tracks from the debut album alongside idiosyncratic covers. Grohl indicated the band will perform songs by the 1980s punk band Squirrel Bait and the duo Ween, as well as three new songs written after the completion of the album.
What are the primary themes of the album Be Sweet to Me?
Grohl describes the album as an exploration of identity and a critique of modern consumerism. In reference to the track “Mobile Star,” Grohl questioned the humanity and purpose behind the constant pressure to buy and behave in specific ways, stating, “There’s so much more to living and experiencing joy than just those small dopamine hits.”
The songwriting often blends personal experiences with surreal imagery. For example, the song “Bug in the Cake” refers both to a Halloween party Grohl hosted after moving into her late grandmother’s home and a separate occurrence where she believed a ghost was interfering with her television set.
Grohl’s perspective on performance has been shaped by two extremes: playing massive venues like London’s Wembley Stadium during a 2022 memorial for late Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins, and playing intimate L.A. club settings. She noted that small clubs offer a “vulnerable and really intimate” experience where she can read the facial expressions and lip-movements of the audience.
What happens next for Violet Grohl’s career?
Grohl is currently in the rehearsal and press phase of her rollout, focusing on the “sonics” and pedal sounds of her live setup. The immediate priority is the execution of her summer and fall festival circuit, followed by the European arena tour supporting beabadoobee in late November and early December.
As the album moves toward a vinyl pressing, Grohl continues to revisit her lyrics, discovering new interpretations of her themes regarding identity and the search for human connection.
The next confirmed milestone for Grohl is her appearance at the Reading and Leeds festivals in late August.