Weezer takes Albany to Africa Thursday night, A-

(Weezer Performers Thursday night in Albany @ Times Union Center)

"Albany, are you ready to go to Africa?" frontman Rivers Cuomo cheerfully said to the 10k Albanians this past Thursday night that filled up the Times Union Center. "Whether you are or not, here we go!"
It appeared that the crowd was indeed ready, as they danced and sang along to the fourth song on Weezer's set list, which happened to be of course their own unique cover version of "Africa." It was a great tour to celebrate the incoming spring and summer tour season, two major headlining acts on one bill that could unite both older and younger fans alike. Indeed, many fathers were in attendance with their daughters. "My daughter actually told me about this show," a gentlemen in the crowd explained, who was with his young daughter, "and although I'm more of a classic rock guy, I couldn't resist after seeing Weezer's recent set lists. It's worth it just for that."

Indeed, Weezer had one hell of a set list on Thursday night that included old hits, fan favorites and several new songs from the 'Black Album'. A delight and surprise was when Weezer performed 'Higher Than a Kite' for the first time ever. However, despite having a new released record, their was a great deal of older songs in the set list that would please any Weezer fan.

The band decided to come on stage around 9:30pm with a sing a long version of 'Buddy Holly'. Afterwards, the curtain fell and they began their performance with 'My Name is Jonas.'
The crowd was actually a great mixture of both young and older fans. Although it was a mostly male dominated audience, there were some women in the crowd that danced along to 'The Sweater Song' and sang to 'Buddy Holly.' Despite Weezer themselves being the absolute lovable nerds they are, the crowd was very normal and ready to have as much fun as the band was on stage.

It was great to see Weezer as a big arena headliner. They sound was surprisingly good in the large 15k seat venue of Times Union Center, and of course the band couldn't help but use fireworks and pyro explosions on stage. Although live, some of their songs, especially like Hash Pipe, do sound completely different than on the radio, but it's for the best, and the band was as energetic and great as ever.

You can't really call them an opening act, but The Pixies rocked out to an hour and half performance before Weezer. They drew a standing audience from everyone on the floor, and the band was as solid as ever. They looked great, and performed their own solid hits.

(Pixies Time Union Center last Thursday Night)

As they continued on with their set, it was clear to see how different the two bands really are, despite being in the same genre of rock music. Known for little conversation, The Pixies didn't say a word to the crowd the entire time, but they didn't have to. It provided more time for more music, and their set was just about as long as Weezer's. Joey Santiago was a highlight of the night especially when he used his own hat to do some guitar tricks and licks, but to any one who knows The Pixies, it's the bass that's the solid anchor to their music.
It was very clear that Kim Shattuck owned that part with a beautiful flower lead bass guitar, but some of her vocals were a bit off that night. Despite that, the Pixies as a whole had a great and memorable performance.

One of the better and more enjoyable songs of the night was one of the Pixies performed 'The Witching Hour' later on in the set, showcasing talents from everyone within the band during that song that was truly impressive.

It was an incredible experience to witness both legendary groups Weezer and The Pixies together on stage in one night. While it wasn't a perfect concert by any means, the show was great and worth going to see. What the Pixies didn't say to the audience, Rivers sure made up for.  The Times Union Center was filled up with at least 11k fans that had just as much as fun as Weezer themselves did.

A-

Weezer setlist March 14, Times Union Center in Albany

1) Buddy Holly intro (Sing along version)

Happy Days Intro

2) My Name is Jonas

3) Pink Triangle (Tour debut)

4) Africa (Toto cover)

5) You Gave Your Love to me Softly

6) Undone-The Sweater Song

7) Pork and Benas

8) Happy Together (The Turtles cover)

9) In the Garage

10) Buddy Holly

11) High as Kite (Tour Debut)

12) El Scorcho (Rivers solo acoustic from other side of stadium)

13) No Scrubs) Rivers solo acoustic)

14) Up the Beach (Jane's addiction cover)

15) Beverly hills

16) Island in the Sun

17) Take me on (A-Ha cover)

18) Perfect Sitation

19) Hash Pipe

Encore:

(If you're wondering if I want you to)I want you to

Surf Wax America

Say it Ain't So

Pixies Set list March 14, Albany, NY Times Union Center:

1) Gouge Away

2) Vamos

3) Crackity Jones

4) Gigantic

5) Wave of Mutilation

6) Death Horizon

7) Here Comes Your Man

8) Tame

9) Rock Music

10) Monkey Goes to Heaven

11) Classic Masher

12) No. 13 Baby

13) Caribou

14) Planet of Sound

15) Hey

16) Broken Face

17) Bone Machine

18) Cactus

19) Debaser

20) In the Witching Hour

21) Something Against You

22) Where is My Mind?