2x-GRAMMY-nominated artist and producer Steve Aoki has joined forces with the legendary, 4x-GRAMMY-nominated band Goo Goo Dolls to deliver a new reimagined version of their Diamond-certified classic “Iris.” The collaboration transforms the iconic ballad into a festival-ready electronic anthem, blending the emotional weight of the original with Aoki’s signature high-energy production style.
First released in 1998, “Iris” has remained one of the most enduring songs of its generation. Nearly three decades later, the track continues to resonate across the world, amassing more than 5.5 billion global streams and surpassing one billion streams in 2025 alone. Its cultural reach remains undeniable, recently climbing to new peaks on Spotify’s Global Daily Chart and being selected as the final song ever played at Buffalo’s Highmark Stadium following the venue’s historic 53-year run as home of the Buffalo Bills.
The updated version from Aoki and Goo Goo Dolls intensifies the track with playful synths, driving rhythms, and cinematic builds, amplifying its emotional core while maintaining the instantly recognizable chorus that made it a classic. The collaboration traces back to Stagecoach Festival 2025, where Aoki invited Goo Goo Dolls frontman John Rzeznik onstage for a surprise performance of the song during his set. The moment quickly became one of the weekend’s most talked-about highlights, as fans witnessed the fusion of alternative rock nostalgia and modern electronic production live.
Inspired by the overwhelming response, Aoki later brought the concept into the studio to craft a version designed for festival stages while preserving the spirit of the original.
“Performing ‘Iris’ live with Goo Goo Dolls at Stagecoach was one of those rare, unforgettable moments,” Steve Aoki explained. “You could feel the connection everyone had to the song, but also this incredible rush as we brought it into a completely different environment. That feeling stayed with me, and I knew we had to take it into the studio and build a version designed for festival stages while preserving the heart of the original.”
John Rzeznik added, “Joining Steve onstage during his Stagecoach set was an unforgettable moment. The energy from the crowd was remarkable and the mixture of our two genres was amazing to witness live. We’re thrilled to release this new version of ‘Iris’ with Steve and share that magic moment with our fans around the world.”
The release also arrives during a milestone period for Steve Aoki, who is celebrating the 30th anniversary of his influential label Dim Mak. Founded in 1996 from his college dorm room at UC Santa Barbara and named after Bruce Lee, the label helped launch artists such as The Kills, Bloc Party, and The Gossip, before evolving into one of electronic music’s most respected global imprints.
Aoki is currently on his Dim Mak 30th Anniversary Tour, a North American run marking three decades of boundary-pushing music and culture, with stops at major venues and festivals including Central Park SummerStage, Hollywood Palladium, and Ultra Music Festival. For full tour dates and information, visit www.steveaoki.com.
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