Most bands don’t emerge onto the stage out of a rocket ship, but most bands aren’t Weezer. Donned in NASA-style flight suits, the LA-based quartet were welcomed to the stage by a nearly full Toyota Center, before immediately launching into a 90+ minute set.
Formed in southern California in early 1992, Weezer has become one of the standout acts of the ‘90s. Comprised of lead guitarist and vocalist Rivers Cuomo, drummer Patrick Wilson, guitarist Brian Bell, and bassist Scott Shriner, the band has 15 studio albums to their name, the first five of which are each certified either gold or platinum.
With doors opening at a somewhat early 6PM, the first act of the night, Dinosaur Jr. took the stage just after 7. Playing with a somewhat cramped stage setup due to the sheer mass of gear set up for later acts, Dinosaur Jr. played a short six-song set before ceding the stage to The Flaming Lips.
Even before the band took the stage, The Flaming Lips frontman Wayne Coyne was working the crowd, giving a minute-by-minute countdown to showtime and shining a spotlight into the audience. With a 10-song setlist, the band’s near-hourlong set captivated the crowd with lights, inflatables, and tracks off of five different albums. Coyne kept up his interaction with the audience for the entire show, at one point pausing to list off every venue the band had ever played in the Bayou City dating back to 1988.
Finally, just before 9:30, the lights dimmed once more for the headline act of the night. After a brief introductory video and countdown, Weezer took the stage for the Voyage to the Blue Planet.
Backed by a spectacular stage production, complete with a massive screen backdrop, planets and lights dangling above the stage, plenty of smoke, and the aforementioned rocket ship, the band played through a 25-song setlist with tracks from nine different albums, including their seminal debut, the Blue Album, in full.
Closing out the show with the last track of the Blue Album, “Only in Dreams,” leaving the stage in a shower of confetti.
All photos by Morgan Rosenbaum for Off Record Media.
I'm a Houston-based concert and automotive photographer. I've been a music fan my whole life, and previously was the director for Coog Radio, the University of Houston's student radio station. I listen to a bit of everything, from blues to rock to EDM, but predominantly metal. Some favorites include Slayer, Iron Maiden, and Metallica. When I'm not behind the camera, you can catch me skating, going to car events, and buying too many coffee table books.
