Concert Review: Weezer at Toyota Center

20 albums later, and Weezer still embodies nerdy rock music with unfiltered lyrics and stunning guitar riffs. The Gathering Tour is a spotlight on the legendary band, where they truly get to shine again.

Written by Brooklyn Slie

Photo Courtesy of Shutterstock

As the lights dimmed low, chatter among fans came to a halt. A young boy appeared on the giant screen at the Houston Toyota Center, drawing symbols from the cover of Weezer’s newest album The Gold Album. Fans watched as the boy announced that Weezer would perform at his house, to prove he’s anything but a loser.

The film continued with lead singer Rivers Cuomo announcing to his fellow bandmates about a mysterious forgotten show, cueing the band to walk on stage to “celebrate a thing called Weezer.”

The show began with the first single released from their newest album, “Shine Again.” Cuomo sings about how “The sun inside will shine, shine again,” metaphorically referring to how Weezer itself will shine again through their newest release. The band's 20th album, The Gold Album, rediscovers their sound and explores the band as they grow older and reminisce on what once was and what will be. The hopeful track and the golden glow from the stage lights made the crowd go wild with anticipation. The heavy buzz of the bass filled the stadium alongside Cuomo’s melodic, yearning vocals. The fuzzy, loaded guitar strums are so uniquely Weezer, it made the audience move reverently.The stage featured electrifying lights, varying colors, and strobe movements. The theatrics on stage matched the tone and message that was emitted from each track.

The venue bled red with blasts of fire as Weezer rocked out to “Hash Pipe.” Strobe lights and hypnotizing visuals paired perfectly with the killer guitar solos from Cuomo and guitarist Brian Bell. The immediate dive into fast-paced guitar strums and deep clashes of the drums had the crowd yelling with glee. As Cuomo desperately called, “Oh, come on and kick me,” with a raspy twinge in his voice, he emitted the essence of a true rock star. The track reached its bridge and a monumental guitar riff that was utter grunge and grime left the crowd stunned.

Vulnerability continued in “No Other One,” where Cuomo expressed gratitude for the support fans gave Weezer’s second album, Pinkerton. As Cuomo opened up about a toxic relationship, the stage erupted in thunderstorms. The dark nature of the stage resembled the conflicts of being in a relationship with someone who’s bad for you. The scratchy tune of Cuomo’s vocals alongside harmonies added the final touch of hopelessness to the performance, matching the dark demeanor of the stage.

The instrumentals throughout the show were power driven and loud, the distorted guitar and rumbling bass resembling the classic Weezer sound. Electric guitars sang in “C.E.O” as Cuomo cried out to “Keep this rocket in the sky,” alluding to keeping the band's career alive. The classic track “Beverly Hills” featured the glitz and glamour of fame with a decorative background covered in diamonds. Bell used a talkbox alongside electric guitar riffs that added electricity to the track, creating unique sounds for listeners. The talkbox itself mimicked an electric keyboard, creating a sense of awe from the audience.

A staged power outage was yet another theatrical move that left fans on the edge of their seats. Weezer always brings rock and roll to the stage, but passionately singing acoustic versions of “Long Time Sunshine” and “In the Garage” was monumental and heartwarming. The severe contrast of the soft, slow performance in comparison to the fast-paced, loud performance made the show worth watching. With a starry night sky and a burning fire, the band members sang along to two of their most anticipated tracks. The simplicity and delicacy of the acoustic versions made the crowd go silent while flashlights rose in the air. As each member harmonized together, the acoustic guitar played and Cuomo played the harmonica to the crowd. The performances stood out and gave the band a chance to sing their heart out and appreciate the crowd before them.

The power turned back on as the performance took a shocking turn. SinceCuomo is the band’s lead vocalist and guitarist, audience members were shocked when he jumped on the drums to play “Pork and Beans.” A jaw-dropping performance included Cuomo and drummer Patrick Wilson going back and forth, destroying the drums and guitar with electric chords. Cuomo then hurriedly ran across the stage and grabbed his guitar as “My Name is Jonas” echoed throughout the stadium. Smoke emerged, lights flashed, and fans cheered as Cuomo cried, “Of course, we were willing to pay!” Cuomo, Bell, and Wilson leaned on each other as they ripped guitar riffs side by side, just like they’ve done over the past 30 years.

A knock sounded throughout the stadium, and bassist/vocalist Nikki Monninger of the rock band Silversun Pickups emerged on stage. Monninger and Cuomo harmonized throughout “We Might As Well Be Strangers,” “Go Away,” and “I Just Threw Out the Love of My Dreams.” Monninger spun and jumped across the stage, truly embodying a Daisy Jones persona with her gold, flowy dress and care-free movements.

The Blue Album had its own standout moment, and . “Undone- The Sweater Song” kicked this off. Blue lights flooded the stage as Cuomo sang about self-doubt and insecurity.The opening notes of “Say it Ain’t So” electrified the crowd. The edgy guitar vibrated throughout the stadium, bouncing off the walls, and making the floors shake. Fans cried out the lyric, “Say it Ain’t So,” as bright lights flashed and a glitchy visual mirrored the crowd. Guitars sang passionately, the distorted, high pitch ringing throughout the crowd as fire and smoke blasted into the air. With Cuomo’s iconic black-framed glasses on the screen,fans 'got Weezered’ as “Buddy Holly” rang throughout booming speakers. Confetti covered the stage, while the band jammed out to their playful track.

“Island in the Sun” was the final goodbye. Lights, smoke, and cheers filled the stadium after a night of guitar riffs, thundering drums and Cuomo’s clean, vulnerable vocals. The closing track left fans feeling full. It was light-hearted and wholesome, as pink hues lit the room. Cuomo jammed out on the guitar, sang with passion, and together the band was truly an island in the sun. Nerdy jokes and cheesy bits aside, the concert was a walk down memory lane as fans remember and enjoy the Blue Album, Pinkerton, and the 20th album that has made their band shine again.