What a long, weird trip it’s been for “Weird Al” Yankovic. His Friday the 13th (Aug. 13) show, the first of two nights at the Pacific Amphitheatre, was hilarious and satisfying proof.
His live shows – complete with multiple video screens, lighting effects, costume changes, and even confetti canons – not only keep an audience’s rapt attention for two solid hours, but are a sterling reminder that the guy who began as a novelty act 30 years ago has grown into one of the U.S.’s truly great comic performers.
It only took seconds into the multi-screen video introduction to realize that Yankovic has long since outgrown the box of his inspirations like Spike Jones, Allan Sherman, Tom Lehrer, and in some ways Frank Zappa, to flower into something all his own. And whatever definition we should now give it, it’s really something to see.
But a few songs after an opening polka medley of various pop du jour, like Lady Gaga, Britney Spears, Katy Perry, Justin Bieber, et al., Yankovic took things into high gear.
His presentation of “Smells Like Nirvana” that featured two guest cheerleaders and Yankovic in full Cobain attire began a stretch of the show that lampooned celebrity and entertainment culture and was followed by the recent “Skipper Dan” single and his live-only parody of James Blunt’s “You’re Beautiful,” called “You’re Pitiful.” And in sending up the original undressing video, Yankovic was able to get in what is presumed to be a regular shot at Atlantic Records. Despite Blunt’s blessing in 2006, the company rescinded inclusion of the song on the Straight Outta Lynwood album at the last minute. One of the T-shirts Yankovic revealed says “ATLANTIC RECORDS STILL SUCKS.”
Splice that with Al TV interviews of Jessica Simpson and Madonna as a buildup to “Dare to Be Stupid” and Yankovic had made his point.
Other high points were the newer single “CNR” that detailed the secret history of famously fey actor and writer Charles Nelson Reilly as a super human bad ass, while “Wanna B Ur Lovr” included a long stroll by Al-as-mac-daddy-wanna-be through the audience in a flame red and black suit.
Late in the set, “Amish Paradise,” with Yankovic and his longtime band dressed appropriately, proved to still be a crowd pleaser and a good pivot to “White & Nerdy.”
But Yankovic smartly built to an encore that sent the nearly full house home with big smiles. Returning in full Lucas-land regalia and escorted by Darth Vader, R2-D2 and a group of storm troopers, he delivered a pairing of “The Saga Begins” and “Yoda” that was more fun than a full set from plenty of “serious” acts.
Whatever it is that Yankovic has built, be it by luck, hard work or what Cobain described simply as “musical genius,” it is irresistible. Especially live. Family friendly, yet designed for adults, he continues to defy easy descriptions. Satirist doesn’t fit, especially on stage, where he is all showman.
