Weezer
The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory
Irving, Texas
Photos and article by Daniel Martinez
I first came in contact with Weezer when I first played Guitar Hero 3: Legends of Rock. Playing through the campaign to unlock more songs, I stumbled into “My Name is Jonas.” Second encounter was “Buddy Holly,” that’s when I decided to look more into the band. My search led into “Hash Pipe,” “Beverly Hills,” among others. Through out the years I occasionally kept up with them. The first and last time I saw them was in 2014 when I first started photographing concerts. Following that, my next exposure was going to be the Teal Album, an amazing record with covers from Toto’s “Africa” to Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean.” Leading into the concert I started listening to them more to start hyping myself about the show. A ritual I tend to do before I attend a show. To my surprise it led me to discover more songs, including an awesome cover for Metallica’s “Enter Sandman.” In a way I was ashamed of myself that I didn’t give them a chance sooner.
Weeks shy before the official start to summer, Rivers Cuomo and the gang brought the Indie Rock Road Trip to the sold out Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory. Thousands of Weezer fans gathered at the venue that is about 15 miles from Dallas. Near 90 degrees outside but the Texas weather wasn’t going to stop them. An incredible performance by Momma and Modest Mouse who opened the show. Both bands were greatly received by everyone in attendance. Weezer stormed into stage with “My Name is Jonas,” and “Beverly Hills,” two opening songs that will get everyone hyped for the rest of the night. As previously mentioned, the last time I saw them perform live was in 2014. Since then the band hasn’t skipped a beat. Rivers Cuomo and company still give the same energy to the fans as they receive from them. An extensive 23 song setlist was performed. Songs that included your Weezer staples like “Undone – The Sweater Song,” “Island in the Sun,” “Say It Ain’t So,” and also including an acoustic version of “Do You Wanna Get High?” Performed by Rivers Cuomo. The night concluded with one of their most catchiest tunes, “Buddy Holly,” a song that I love and I always think of it when I hear the band’s name, I’m sure a lot of fans can agree with my statement. Even though summer wasn’t officially under way, Weezer kicked off summer in North Texas.
Setlist
My Name is Jonas
Beverly Hills
The Good Life
Return to Ithaka
Pork and Beans
Pink Triangle
El Scorcho
Blast Off!
Undone – The Sweater Song
Do You Wanna Get High?
Susanne
Only in Dreams
The Greatest Man That Ever Lived
Island in the Sun
Perfect Situation
All My Favorite Songs
Say It Ain’t So
Run, Raven, Run
Hash Pipe
Thank You and Good Night
The Waste Land
Surf Wax America
Buddy Holly
Here’s our Top 10 Weezer songs
