At first the evening seemed like any other before a Weezer concert, with young adolescents and high school students milling about the place donned in their signature Levi's and miscellaneous haircolors. Only this was the final show on a long tour and the excitement hung anxiously in the air as the line grew larger in front of The Warfield. Mykel and Carli, Weezer's loyal friends and fan club organizers, chatted effortlessly with a group of fans waiting to be granted admission. (Earlier, Pat Wilson, the drummer of Weezer, and his wife Jen Wilson, had attended an informal gathering of fan club members and friends, organized by Mykel, Carli and others.)
Inside the euphoria grew as fans greedily bought up every Weezer article for sale. The atmosphere was one of anticipation and cheer as opposed to previous Weezer shows, where coolness and tough aggression abounded. Perhaps this was due to the particular audience, or the Warfield's unique design. One could choose the mosh-pit right next to the stage, the "standing only" area that was guarded and controlled by the staff, or choose to have a few drinks at one of the many tables in the back. And the view was wonderful no matter where you went.
That Dog opened and then Teenage Fanclub followed, putting on a great show. After a rather long break, the theme song to Battlestar Gallactica seeped out into the audience and the crowd went wild. A cardboard Chewbaca stood quietly over the to left side of the stage as lead singer and guitarist Rivers Cuomo hobbled efficiently with the use of his cane over to his mike (due to the brace on his leg). Bassist Matt Sharp and guitarist Brian Bell, came running onto the stage, arms flailing and then Sharp screeched his comical greetings for all to enjoy. Without any further ado, they burst into "No One Else." The show had begun.
These guys put on an utterly fantastic show. While playing guitar during one of their newer songs, "Getchoo," Cuomo played the keyboard with the tip of his guitar. And of course, Sharp and Bell made up for Cuomo's lack of mobility by dancing, jumping, swinging their butts in the air, you name it. Petra Haden, from That Dog, snuck out on stage during "My Name Is Jonas" and let off a eery wail, startling the crowd and Cuomo alike. And as if the crowd willed something special to happen during "Buddy Holly" by their overwhelming cheers and screams, rainbow colored streamers came flying through the air and landed on the audience, like a true symbol of the festivity and finality of the event. Before we all knew it, the show was over.
Outside the tour bus young fans lined up in the hundreds it seemed, as the band finished up with their ritual Sega hockey game, sans Brian Bell. Eventually a car pulled up for Cuomo, who smiled appreciatively as he exited the bus and signed autographs before he was whisked away to his hotel. Sharp was on board, opening and admiring a gift from a fan, and Bell, who was more daring, walked freely amongst the crowd, hugging and talking to fans, and posing for pictures. This show was the last until next spring, Cuomo told the crowd, and it was visible from the grins upon everyone's faces.
