I’ve now seen Weezer play Pinkerton, music festivals and at a Casino Resort. But now I can say that I saw them play an intimate club show at Bowery Ballroom, which was as cool as it gets.
They stopped by the Bowery on October 27 as a part of the first leg of the tour for new album Everything Will Be Alright in the End. This tour featured intimate club shows that would feature the new album played from front to back. But as it turned out, they would start the show with a 9-song acoustic offering of greatest hits and some rarities.
The acoustic set began with Rivers Cuomo performing “El-Scorcho” b-side “You Gave Your Love to Me Softly.” Guitarist Brian Bell came out next for “Why Bother,” bassist Scott Shriner for Red Album bonus track “King,” and then finally drummer Pat Wilson joined everyone for a triumphant performance of “El Scorcho.” They gave the crowd the option of hearing “beloved b-side “Susanne” (which they played the night before in Boston) or “No One Else.” It was a close call, but “No One Else” ended up being the winner. The acoustic performance was basically a open sing-along with the fans. With the crowd filled with only the most die-hard Weezer fans, it was a cool experience to be a part of.
The band went to change and came back ready to chug through the new album. The album is one of the best from Weezer in some time, and the band seemed pretty passionate about playing its tracks. They were joined by Lizzy Plapinger from MSMR for “Go Away” (Best Coast’s Bethany Cosentino sings on the album), which was a nice touch.
They returned with a one-song encore of “Tired Of Sex”, which was the only old-school Weezer track treated with a full electric version. It was a perfect send-off to what will probably be the most intimate Weezer experience one could possibly hope for.
Find the setlist posted below, along with a photo gallery of the night.
Setlist:
Acoustic:
1. You Gave Your Love to Me Softly (Rivers Solo)
2. Why Bother? (Brian Introduced)
3. King (Scott Introduced)
4. El Scorcho (Pat Introduced)
5. The Other Way
6. The Good Life
7. Island in the Sun
8. No One Else
9. Buddy Holly
Everything Will Be Alright in the End:
10. Ain’t Got Nobody
11. Back to the Shack
12. Eulogy for a Rock Band
13. Lonely Girl
14. I’ve Had It Up to Here
15. The British Are Coming
16. Da Vinci
17. Go Away
18. Cleopatra
19. Foolish Father
20. The Waste Land
21. Anonymous
22. Return to Ithaka
Encore:
23. Tired of Sex
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