Weezer
When: December 3rd, 2009
Where: Eagles Ballroom, Milwaukee, WI
Length: 1 Hour 30 Minutes
Set List:  Hash Pipe, Troublemaker, Undone (The Sweater Song), Surf Wax America, Let It All Hang Out, Perfect Situation, Why Bother?, Dope Nose, Say It Ain’t so, (If Your Wondering If I Want You To) I Want You To, Can’t Stop Partying, Photograph, Song 2, I’m Your Daddy, The Greatest Man Who Ever Lived, My Name Is Jonas, Beverly Hills
Encore:  Pork and Beans, Kids, (MGMT cover) Poker Face, (Lady Gaga cover) Island In The Sun, Buddy Holly. 

Reviewed By:

Rating:

4 Volts

Weezer played their first show to a Milwaukee crowd in almost 10 years at The Rave (Eagles Ballroom) on December 3^rd, 2009.  The power pop quartet played for almost two hours to a packed ballroom.  On tour since this summer opening for Blink 182, and now on a short headlining tour, the group is on the road in support of their new album, Raditude. 

The four members of the band, Rivers Cuomo, Brian Bell, Patrick Wilson, Scott Shriner, and tour drummer Josh Freese (member of A Perfect Circle) entered the stage ala “Rocky” with the classic Rocky theme song blaring through the speakers.  The show began with front man Rivers Cuomo coming out from behind the speakers and kicking into a Weezer classic, “Hash Pipe”.  After the song, Rivers thanked the Milwaukee crowd and referred to them as his “Beautiful Flowers”.

The show rolled on with hit after hit, and even included a rare performance of “Why Bother?” from 1996’s Pinkerton.  Rivers uncharacteristic over the top exuberance was something that for myself and other Weezer fans in the crowd was a new look and feel for the front man, compared to his usually calm demeanor.  Examples of this were a steady amount of trampoline jumping, microphone tossing, and most interestingly tequila drinking.  During a performance of “Can’t stop partying” from Raditude, Rivers on several occasions took some healthy swigs out of a bottle of Patron.  Another example, and one of the most exciting moments of the show was when Rivers suddenly appeared walking through the crowd after the band’s performance of Blur’s “Song 2”.  Rivers worked his way to the soundboard fighting through a mob of excited fans who could not believe their hero was out in the middle of the crowd.  The band then cranked through the new song “I’m your daddy” as Rivers sang from on top of the soundboard.  This was truly unique moment for all at the show.

The show wrapped up with the hit single “Beverly Hill’s” from the Make Believe album.  For an encore the group made several interesting song choices.  A cover of MGMT’s “Kids” started the encore to a smattering of cheers.  Many fans were confused with this song choice, and the transition into Lady Gaga’s “Poker Face”.  Many fans could be seen laughing and shaking their heads as the words coming out of Rivers mouth were “pa-pa-pa-pa-pa poker face”.  The band finished with two more Weezer classics, “Island In The Sun”, and “Buddy Holly”.  The band left the stage like they entered with tons of energy, and showmanship.  All four members, including the tour drummer Josh Freese gave the crowd one final burst of energy by drumming together in rhythm to exit the stage. 

Weezer can entertain a crowd with the best of them, so the next time they are in your area, make sure to check them out, there will be no shortage of energy and excitement.