The stars aligned as Weezer made a cosmic landing last Tuesday evening in Sacramento, California. Performing a sold-out show at the Golden 1 Center, this quartet sent concert goers on a zero-gravity trip beyond Earth’s atmosphere as ‘The Voyage to the Blue Planet Tour’ set the venue aglow.
Openers The Flaming Lips and Dinosaur Jr. prepared the audience for the expedition ahead as each lively performance included popular selections from both bands discography. From “Do You Realize” and “Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots, Pt. 1 & 2″ from The Flaming Lips 2002 album, Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots to Dinosaur Jr.’s “Just like Heaven” and “Little Fury Things” from their 1987 album, You’re Living On Me, concert goers were charged with a shockwave of supernova energy.
As the countdown began for the iconic headliner, cloud like fog filled the stage, billowing through the pit and over the enthralled audience at barricade. Fans chanted the countdown in unison, down to the final second. A large Weezer spaceship launched slowly, exposing the band members standing together and beaming beneath the sparking pyrotechnics. As the cinematic introduction took to the stars, the audience roared with applause and cheers as the band performed hits “Dope Nose” from their 2002 album Maladroit and “Beverly Hills” from their 2005 album, Make Believe. Lead vocalist River Cuomo didn’t miss a beat as he sang each lyric perfectly while segueing into righteous guitar solos, flashing subtle smiles as he looked out towards the crowd. A sci-fi infused theme lit up concert goers, almost as if manifesting a one night only aurora borealis within the venue.
While ‘The Voyage to the Blue Plant’ went through treacherous asteroid fields, speeding UFOs, CGI scenes on jumbo screens, solar flaring red planets, and dancing planetarium lighting descended from the rafters, Weezerlings and Weezeroids alike were on a nostalgic melodious high. Taking the audience through light speed and blue hypergiant luminosity, the band continued to perform an array of songs, including “Buddy Holly” and “Say It Ain’t So” from their 1994 album Weezer (The Blue Album) and “Across the Sea” from their 1996 album Pinkerton. Guitarist Brian Bell and bassist Scott Shriner powerfully interchanged guitar solos, while drummer Patrick Wilson kept the heart of the voyage going through precise percussion. From celestial exploration and confetti/streamer cannons to multicolored stage lighting as colorful as the band’s album history, this triumphant voyage felt like something experienced “Only in Dreams.”
The band’s W-shaped flag on the “Blue Planet” was one small step for man, one giant leap for Weezerkind, living on forever as one of the many moments that rocked the evening. The galactic narrative seamlessly guided the house through the exceptional set, leaving concert goers glowing in the best kind of blue. Weezer definitely has Sacramento in their orbit for generations to come.
The ‘Voyage to the Blue Planet Tour’ recently concluded over this past weekend, just a few weeks shy of the band’s celebratory Weezer 30 (Anniversary Super Deluxe Edition) album. Keep up with Weezer: Website // Facebook // Instagram // Twitter
Review and photos by Andrea Garman @themusiclens
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