Weezer takes Los Angeles on a nostalgic journey through time and space

Weezer’s October 11, 2024, show at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles was a three-act powerhouse, with Dinosaur Jr. and The Flaming Lips warming up the crowd before Weezer’s headlining set. The night was packed with high energy, quirky visual theatrics, and a nostalgic celebration of 30 years since Weezer’s Blue Album.

Before diving into the music, let’s take a moment to talk about the Intuit Dome. This new, high-tech, over $2 billion venue was built primarily as a home for the LA Clippers NBA team but serves as an impressive site for concerts and events. It offers attendees the option to go completely cashless, use facial recognition, and grab food and drinks on a grab-and-go basis, with automatic payment—no checkout or long lines. Pretty cool! But like most LA venues, parking doesn’t come cheap; the official parking structure across from the Dome charged $70 that night.

Opening Act: Dinosaur Jr.

Dinosaur Jr., known for being one of the loudest live acts, certainly lived up to their reputation. Formed in 1984 by guitarist/vocalist J Mascis, bassist Lou Barlow, and drummer Murph, this Massachusetts trio pioneered the alt-rock sound of the 1980s and 1990s, influencing countless bands.

Known for their heavy riffs and solos, they delivered a set that had the crowd bouncing and singing from the first note.

They opened with “Little Fury Things,” setting the tone for their six-song set, rolling seamlessly into “Feel the Pain” and “Start Choppin.” Their grunge-infused sound shook the new venue to its core. Dinosaur Jr. doesn’t hold back on volume, and by the time they launched into “Freak Scene,” a fan favorite, the walls felt like they were vibrating. Even with custom earplugs, my ears were ringing. Their cover of The Cure’s “Just Like Heaven” was a surprise highlight, and they closed with “Gargoyle,” solidifying their status as alt-rock icons.

Full Setlist:

1. Little Fury Things
2. Feel the Pain
3. Start Choppin
4. Freak Scene
5. Just Like Heaven (The Cure cover)
6. Gargoyle

Second Act: The Flaming Lips

Next up was The Flaming Lips, renowned for their eccentricity and high-concept performances. Though I’m not their biggest fan, I can’t deny their showmanship. Led by frontman Wayne Coyne, the band has carved a unique space with psychedelic rock, kaleidoscopic visuals, and interactive performances.

Coyne kept the crowd engaged throughout their ten-song set, bringing out massive inflatable stage props midway through, much to the crowd’s delight.

They kicked things off with “The Spark That Bled,” setting a dramatic stage for the rest of the set. Coyne periodically amped up the crowd, encouraging singalongs and cheers. Songs like “Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots, Pt. 1” and “She Don’t Use Jelly” were clear crowd-pleasers, and their cover of Madonna’s “Borderline” was unexpected but surprisingly well-received. By the time they closed with “Do You Realize?” the crowd was fully engaged, and even I was impressed by the performance’s sheer scale.

Setlist:

1. The Spark That Bled
2. Suddenly Everything Has Changed
3. Pompeii Am Götterdämmerung
4. Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots, Pt. 1
5. Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots, Pt. 2
6. She Don’t Use Jelly
7. The Yeah Yeah Yeah Song (With All Your Power)
8. Love Yer Brain
9. Borderline (Madonna cover)
10. Do You Realize?

The Main Event: Weezer

Then, it was finally time for Weezer! Let’s be honest—everyone loves Weezer, even if you claim you don’t. Seeing a couple of crust punks in the GA pit only proved my point. As the countdown began on the round screens flanking the stage, excitement filled the air. The stage design, a quirky homage to space travel, featured a rocket capsule adorned with the Weezer logo. As the countdown hit zero, a simulated rocket launch played on the video screen, complete with smoke effects on stage. When the capsule lifted, revealing the band at attention, the crowd went ballistic.

Lead singer, Rivers Cuomo welcomed us, the “Space Cadets,” to an “out-of-this-world” night—his words. From the first chords of “Anonymous,” it was clear Weezer was in top form. They delivered a set that balanced early hits with deeper cuts and fan favorites. Songs like “Hash Pipe” and “Pork and Beans” had the crowd bouncing, while “Island in the Sun” had the entire audience singing along.

Visually, the show was as impressive as the music.

The video screens behind the band took us on a journey through space, with each song paired with a visual theme, from planetary landscapes to asteroid belts. It wasn’t just a concert; it felt like a space-age rock opera.

As they transitioned into the Blue Album portion of the set, excitement reached new heights. Rivers donned a Star Trek costume, and iconic tracks like “My Name Is Jonas,” “Buddy Holly,” and “Say It Ain’t So” brought near-deafening singalongs. The crowd’s energy was infectious, especially during “Undone – The Sweater Song,” where Rivers let the audience take over.

The night ended with “Only in Dreams,” which felt a bit anticlimactic; I would have preferred a banger to close out the night. But despite that, it was an incredible show.

True to form, Weezer delivered an equal mix of nostalgia and musical joy, proving why they’ve remained a beloved fixture in rock for over three decades.

If you love Weezer, make sure to catch them the next time they’re in your area—you won’t be disappointed.

Setlist:

1. Anonymous
2. Return to Ithaka
3. Dope Nose (with “Troublemaker” snippet)
4. Hash Pipe
5. Pork and Beans
6. Beverly Hills
7. Island in the Sun
8. Burndt Jamb (with “Everybody Get Dangerous” snippet)
9. Perfect Situation
10. Run, Raven, Run (Pacific Sunset section only)

Pinkerton Asteroid Belt

12. Getchoo
13. Why Bother?
14. Pink Triangle
15. You Gave Your Love to Me Softly
16. Across the Sea

Weezer (The Blue Album)

18. My Name Is Jonas
19. No One Else
20. The World Has Turned and Left Me Here
21. Buddy Holly
22. Undone – The Sweater Song
23. Surf Wax America
24. Say It Ain’t So
25. In the Garage
26. Holiday
27. Only in Dreams

Photography by Shane Pase

Share this article

or