Fans of ’90s rock have reason to celebrate: 4 Non Blondes, the band behind the iconic hit “What’s Up?” is reuniting for the first time in over a decade. The group will take the stage at the BottleRock Napa Valley music festival in May, marking only their second performance since disbanding in the mid-1990s.
In a new episode of The Allison Hagendorf Show, lead singer Linda Perry revealed how the reunion came together and what it means to her. “It’s the right time in my head. It’s the right time in my heart,” Perry shared. “I’ve been putting that energy out, because I want 2025 to be my year. I feel like I’ve been planting seeds all over the place and I’m watching my little trees grow.”
A Band with History
4 Non Blondes formed in San Francisco in the late 1980s, with Perry, bassist Christa Hillhouse, guitarist Shaunna Hall, and drummer Wanda Day. The group’s debut—and only—album, Bigger, Better, Faster, More!, came out in 1992, catapulting them to stardom with the success of “What’s Up?” Despite their meteoric rise, the band disbanded after Perry left in 1994, citing personal struggles and creative differences.
Over the past 30 years, the band has only reunited once, for a 2014 fundraiser for the Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Center.
How the Reunion Happened
According to Perry, 59, the opportunity to reunite began with an offer to play at BottleRock. “I knew this was coming. I want this to happen. I’ve told the universe I want this to happen,” she explained.
After receiving the offer, Perry reached out to her bandmates, despite their lack of regular communication. “They were excited,” she said. Plans are now underway for rehearsals in San Francisco, where the band will reconnect and rediscover their groove.
Teasing New Material
While the reunion is exciting in its own right, Perry hinted at even more surprises. “There’s a second 4 Non Blondes record that [was] recorded,” she revealed. “It was pretty decent. [But] I just couldn’t do it. My heart couldn’t do it.”
Perry has spoken candidly about the emotional challenges she faced during the band’s heyday, describing her struggles with fame and creative identity. “I had a hard time in the band; not because of them, because I wasn’t clear on the kind of music I wanted to do yet,” she said.
After leaving the band, Perry found immense success as a solo artist and songwriter, penning hits for stars like Pink, Christina Aguilera, and Gwen Stefani.
A Nostalgic Celebration
The BottleRock Napa Valley music festival, set to take place May 23–25, will be a rare chance for fans to see 4 Non Blondes perform together. Whether this marks the beginning of a new chapter for the band or simply a nostalgic moment remains to be seen, but for now, the reunion promises to be a highlight of 2025’s music calendar.
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