The Flaming Lips
Dinosaur Jr.
Toyota Center
September 28, 2024
Before Weezer got here out onstage Saturday evening they have been already getting the crowd at the Toyota Center excited by taking part in a couple of loud guitar licks behind the curtains. Or was that certainly one of their guitar techs?
Regardless of who that was, the followers actually acquired loud when a brief video intro was performed of a pretend TV information journalist interviewing the band as astronauts about to go on an area mission; a “Journey to the Blue Planet” to be precise.
After the interview, a 5 minute countdown clock started ticking for the blast off of a spaceship prop onstage. When the countdown ended the spaceship lifted off revealing the band beneath as sparks of fireplace trailed down towards the stage.
Weezer got here out in matching astronaut outfits and launched into the track “Anonymous” from their 2014 album Everything Will Be Alright in the End. Behind the band on an enormous LED display a video displaying the view outdoors of the spaceship started, it was a view of what it might be like to look out the window of the spaceship because it was leaving earth's ambiance and on up into house.
The crowd, not unexpectedly, actually acquired loud and sang alongside with Weezer's standard songs “Hash Pipe,” “Island in the Sun” and “Beverly Hills.” They modified a few of the lyrics on to identify drop Houston and a few of the sights and locations on the town.
Singer/songwriter/guitarist Rivers Cuomo led his band by means of the “Pinkerton Asteroid Belt,” performing 4 songs from the band's 1996 sophomore album Pinkerton, which was critically panned upon its preliminary launch however lately has been reassessed and has achieved new acclaim.
After that got here the a part of the live performance everybody was most anticipating; Weezer carried out their debut and greatest album, 1994's Weezer (Blue Album) in its entirety.
Cuomo wore a yellow shirt related to Captain Kirk's from the unique Star Trek TV present, with the Starfleet Federation insignia changed with a Weezer emblem; Cuomo introduced to the crowd that the Earth had turned grey so they'd to play the total Blue Album to deliver the planet again to life.
The crowd erupted at this announcement as Weezer performed the opening track from the album, My Name Is Jonas, and blue confetti dropped onto the crowd in entrance of the stage. As it was, the overwhelming majority of individuals stood throughout the total Weezer live performance.
The individuals in attendance cherished singing alongside loudly to the complete Blue Album a part of the present, particularly throughout Weezer's greatest hit track ever, “Buddy Holly.”
After the final track of the evening, “Only in Dreams” was performed, Cuomo instructed the crowd, “I can't believe it's been 30 years, thanks for sticking with us.”
Then a pleasant purple strobe gentle began throbbing and extra blue confetti crammed the area as Cuomo held his guitar up over his head from the backside with one hand, then put it down and gave the crowd the band's well-known W hand gesture earlier than elevating and shaking each of his fists up in the air in a second of triumph; Weezer the band then gathered collectively and took a bow for the viewers.
Wayne Coyne, lead singer and major songwriter of the opening act Flaming Lips got here out and began shining a light-weight on individuals in the viewers whereas screaming like skilled wrestler Ric Flair earlier than the band even began taking part in.
The band performed a really laidback opening track, whereas vibrant purple and pink lights onstage flashed alongside with lovely inexperienced lasers; it was a Pink Floyd meets Neil Young form of vibe.
Coyne wore an incredible trying black swimsuit and alongside with his thick mop of graying hair he form of appeared like Beatlejuice underneath the lights for a bit, he additionally acted at occasions as each a cheerleader and televangelist.
He instructed the crowd on when and how loud to cheer and gave a historical past lesson about each single venue in Houston Flaming Lips ever performed,
The band had many stage props to go alongside with their music, like big inflatable pink robots throughout “Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots, Pt. 1.”
They additionally had large balloon letters that spelled out, “Fuck Yeah Houston” on them that Coyne threw into the crowd which they performed with like seashore balls, bouncing them round throughout the the rest of the band's set.
When Flaming Lips performed their breakthrough semi-hit track “She Don’t Use Jelly,” Coyne wore a inexperienced gown with Wonder Woman's physique on it.
The different opening act, Dinosaur Jr., might have been the heaviest and hardest rocking band of the evening, rising onstage with ripping, squealing guitar work vibrating by means of the crowd as many individuals have been nonetheless discovering their manner to their seats carrying their meals and beverage purchases.
The proto-grunge band performed their greatest hit single, “Feel the Pain,” from 1994's Without a Sound album, which acquired a good quantity of radio airplay again then in addition to MTV publicity.
Drummer Emmett Jefferson Murphy III, professionally credited as each Patrick Murphy and Murph, was very exhausting hitting alongside with J Mascis on vocals and guitar and Lou Barlow on bass..
Sounding higher and heavier reside than on their information, Dinosaur Jr. carried out a formidable cowl of The Cure's “Just like Heaven.”
