June 18, 2010 – There’s only one man who’s been able to make a 30 year, globally successful career out of writing and performing parodies of other people’s songs. Weird Al Yankovic is known for his zany hair, hilarious music videos, and live shows that bring it all to life before an eager audience. With his stage energy as present as ever and voice unchanged, the only challenge for Weird Al on Friday night was narrowing down his list of parodies for the fans gathered at Washington, D.C.’s Warner Theatre.
It was the early 1980s when the parodyist got his beginnings with takes on artists like Queen and Michael Jackson. So how does Weird Al Yankovic start a concert in 2010? With Justin Bieber, Lady Gaga, and Ke$ha, of course. The accordion emerged and it was time for a pop-polka medley. There’s something far too funny about a brightly dressed Weird Al singing the lyrics to Bieber’s “Baby” with an accordion in hand.
“It’s nice to see the first family here tonight,” he joked early on. But there weren’t many more jokes to be heard during the rest of Yankovic’s set; there simply wasn’t time. Racing on and off stage to switch costumes, hair, and makeup, Weird Al and his band have a heavy workload cut out for them during every show. “AL TV” (a play on MTV) videos and other humorous clips were played to keep the crowd entertained while a flurry of action took place backstage in preparation for the next tune.
Many of the famous Weird Al hits were packed into the two hour set, but the non-hit Beck parody “Wanna B Ur Lovr” was a true showstopper. Watching Yankovic romp around the theater in a over-the-top sleazy red outfit while singing ridiculously raunchy lyrics was more than enough to crack up most of the packed house.
Classics like “Eat It“, “Fat“, and “Beverly Hillbillies” were performed to near perfection, but some new material got a test drive too. “Craigslist” is a play on the style of The Doors, and showcases Weird Al as a convincing Jim Morrison. His ability to make vocal modifications to fit almost any song is what makes Yankovic a true chameleon singer, and is undoubtedly a key part of his enduring success.
This is just the beginning for Weird Al, at least in terms of the tour. Dates continue all the way through December, as Yankovic brings the parodies across North America. Get more information at the official website.
Glad to see a great review! Off to see him over here in London in December for his first European headline show! Stoked.
weird al rocks his songs are awesome full of spunk and youy will be mesmirised