(I got the idea for this series while sifting through the ‘piles’ of digital photos on my laptop. It occurred to me to share some of these great pics from some of my favourite concert sets from time to time. Until I get around to the next one, I invite you to peruse my ever-growing list of concerts page.)
Artist: Weezer
When: July 7th, 2023
Where: RBC stage, Ottawa Bluesfest, Lebreton Flats Park, Ottawa
Context: I’ve read somewhere that this year marks the 30th anniversary of the release of Weezer’s self-titled debut album and that they will likely be doing a special tour in hour of said anniversary. I think a show honouring their debut album would definitely be worth seeing and would be interested in taking pains to do so, in spite of the fact that I’ve seen the group three times already. Granted, the first two times were almost by accident*, but for the third time, I made sure to catch their headlining set at last year’s Bluesfest. I remember being amazed at the age range in crowd and even more so at the kids singing along word-for-word to Toto’s “Africa”** when it blasted from the festival speakers to announce the onstage arrival of Weezer. Once there, they treated the blissed-out crowd to a set that pulled from their entire career, playing all their hits, making full use of the technicolour stage design and backdrop displays. It was pure fun from the opening notes to the crowd pleasing encore that finished with the song below.
Point of reference song: “Buddy Holly”
*I first saw them opening for Lush at The Warehouse in Toronto when they were touring in support of their debut album and the second time I saw them was because someone I was at Bluesfest with really wanted to see them and I found myself pleasantly surprised.
**The revival of the song is something we can thank Weezer and whoever it was on social media that lobbied for their cover of it.
My (life in) music lists 