Music

Why a new Weezer album and UK shows for April 2016 is the best news

Weezer are returning to the UK this year, having confirmed shows in Manchester and London for April 2016.

Resident Weezer fan and Ticketmaster Blog Manager, Jessica Bridgeman, tells us why it’s oh-so-good to have the California punks back.

Weezer - Pork And Beans (Closed Captioned)

Weezer may not look like the pinnacle of punk, but for me, in so many ways, they’re exactly that. Brilliantly bonkers, I was equal parts mesmerised and intrigued upon first hearing 1994’s The Blue Album. It’d been considerable years since its release when I stumbled upon the encapsulating choruses of My Name Is Jonas and Buddy Holly, but as the sing-alongs washed over me, it was better late than never. While the plinky-plonky nature of Undone –- The Sweater Song was something so alien that I immediately loved it like nothing else.

If there were rules, Weezer sure weren’t taking any notice of them.

Weezer - Buddy Holly (Official Music Video)

“I’m a lot like you,” frontman Rivers Cuomo went on to wail repeatedly on 1996’s El Scorcho; his honesty padded with lyrics about familiar topics of social awkwardness and relationships. With Weezer though, in a world of alt-rock and emo, it was delivered in a format that felt fun, fearless and totally uncomplicated.

Weezer - El Scorcho (Director's Cut)

This sense of freedom translates to their live shows effortlessly, too. The last time Weezer headlined London’s O2 Academy Brixton, there were cowboy hats, glittering gold backdrops and Cuomo draped atop amps while a cover of Wheatus’ Teenage Dirtbag proved that the set’s most ironic fixture would probably never get old.

For anyone watching the foursome – completed by Patrick Wilson, Brian Bell and Scott Shriner – that night, or any other, their spirit, confidence and consistent carelessness encourages you to ditch your inhibitions at the venue door.

On the flipside of their silliness are setlist staples like Island In The Sun and Hash Pipe – taken from 2001’s The Green Album – which shine spotlight on the band’s sheer talent. Nevermind The Greatest Man That Ever Lived – from 2008’s The Red Album, which compiles 11 different musical styles into six minutes of musical genius.

Weezer - Hash Pipe (Revised)

So when Weezer roll into town later this year, armed with 2015’s Everything Will Be Alright In The End and newbie in The White Album, I, for one, will be rockin’ out like it’s ’94.

Catch Weezer live in the UK in April:

3 – Manchester Academy

5 – London, O2 Academy Brixton

Weezer tickets go on sale at 09:00 on Friday 22 January, head to Ticketmaster.co.uk then.

Weezer - Back To The Shack