{"id":425767,"date":"2026-10-12T18:42:09","date_gmt":"2026-10-12T18:42:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/425767\/"},"modified":"2026-10-12T18:42:09","modified_gmt":"2026-10-12T18:42:09","slug":"weezer-gathers-generations-of-fans-together-to-rock-orlando","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/425767\/","title":{"rendered":"Weezer gathers generations of fans together to rock Orlando"},"content":{"rendered":"

Weezer<\/a> has been rocking out as a band for 34 years, longer than some of the front-row fans who attended the group\u2019s Orlando show have been alive.<\/p>\n

Ever since the alternative rockers\u2019 meteoric rise with the 1994 self-titled Weezer (commonly known as \u201cThe Blue Album<\/a>\u201c), the four-piece has remained a pop rock staple with 20 studio albums now under their belt. Fans heard songs from their latest self-titled \u201cGold Album<\/a>\u201d at Weezer\u2019s Kia Center<\/a> show Sunday night, along with hits spanning decades of the band\u2019s catalog.<\/p>\n

Throughout nearly two hours of music, Weezer proved their multigenerational appeal on \u201cThe Gathering\u201d tour with rocking sing-alongs, mid-set plot twists and new renditions of old songs.<\/p>\n

After openers Silversun Pickups<\/a> and The Shins<\/a>, a suburban house was revealed as the main focal point of the stage, flanked by power poles and a white picket fence. A video intro showed a neighborhood kid booking Weezer to play a show at his house.<\/p>\n

Suddenly, the video turned into reality as the band emerged onto the stage through the white picket fence, jumping into \u201cShine Again,\u201d a grungy and encouraging track from their latest release.<\/p>\n

\"Rivers<\/p>\n

Rivers Cuomo of Weezer sings at Kia Center on \u201cThe Gathering\u201d tour in Orlando on Oct. 11, 2026. (Patrick Connolly\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n

\"Weezer<\/p>\n

Weezer performs at Kia Center on “The Gathering” tour in Orlando. (Patrick Connolly\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n

\"Weezer<\/p>\n

Weezer drummer Patrick Wilson performs at Kia Center on \u201cThe Gathering\u201d tour in Orlando on Oct. 11, 2026. (Patrick Connolly\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n

\"Weezer<\/p>\n

Weezer performs at Kia Center on \u201cThe Gathering\u201d tour in Orlando on Oct. 11, 2026. (Patrick Connolly\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n

\"Younger<\/p>\n

Younger fans were abundant at Weezer’s Kia Center concert in Orlando on Sunday night. (Patrick Connolly\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n

\"Weezer<\/p>\n

Weezer guitarist Brian Bell performs at Kia Center on “The Gathering” tour in Orlando on Sunday night. (Patrick Connolly\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n

\"Weezer<\/p>\n

Weezer performs at Kia Center on \u201cThe Gathering\u201d tour in Orlando on Oct. 11, 2026. (Patrick Connolly\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n

\"Weezer<\/p>\n

Weezer frontman Rivers Cuomo and bassist Scott Shriner share a moment on stage while performing at Kia Center on \u201cThe Gathering\u201d tour in Orlando on Sunday night. (Patrick Connolly\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n

\"Weezer<\/p>\n

Weezer performs at Kia Center on \u201cThe Gathering\u201d tour in Orlando on Oct. 11, 2026. (Patrick Connolly\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n

\"Weezer<\/p>\n

Weezer bassist Scott Shriner performs at Kia Center on \u201cThe Gathering\u201d tour in Orlando on Oct. 11, 2026. (Patrick Connolly\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n

\"Weezer<\/p>\n

Weezer performs at Kia Center on \u201cThe Gathering\u201d tour in Orlando on Oct. 11, 2026. (Patrick Connolly\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n

\"Weezer<\/p>\n

Weezer performs at Kia Center on \u201cThe Gathering\u201d tour in Orlando on Oct. 11, 2026. (Patrick Connolly\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n

\"Younger<\/p>\n

Younger fans were abundant at Weezer\u2019s Kia Center concert in Orlando on Oct. 11, 2026. (Patrick Connolly\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n

\"Weezer<\/p>\n

Weezer frontman Rivers Cuomo and bassist Scott Shriner share a moment on stage while performing at Kia Center on \u201cThe Gathering\u201d tour in Orlando on Oct. 11, 2026. (Patrick Connolly\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n

\"Weezer<\/p>\n

Weezer guitarist Brian Bell performs at Kia Center on \u201cThe Gathering\u201d tour in Orlando on Oct. 11, 2026. (Patrick Connolly\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n

\"Weezer<\/p>\n

Weezer bassist Scott Shriner performs at Kia Center on \u201cThe Gathering\u201d tour in Orlando on Oct. 11, 2026. (Patrick Connolly\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n

\"Weezer<\/p>\n

Weezer fans hold up the band\u2019s hand sign that forms a \u201cW\u201d at Kia Center in Orlando on Oct. 11, 2026. (Patrick Connolly\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n

\"Weezer<\/p>\n

Weezer performs at Kia Center on \u201cThe Gathering\u201d tour in Orlando on Oct. 11, 2026. (Patrick Connolly\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n

\"Younger<\/p>\n

Younger fans were abundant at Weezer\u2019s Kia Center concert in Orlando on Oct. 11, 2026. (Patrick Connolly\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

The Shins perform to open for Weezer at Kia Center in Orlando on Oct. 11, 2026. (Patrick Connolly\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

The Shins perform to open for Weezer at Kia Center in Orlando on Oct. 11, 2026. (Patrick Connolly\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

The Shins perform to open for Weezer at Kia Center in Orlando on Oct. 11, 2026. (Patrick Connolly\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

The Shins perform to open for Weezer at Kia Center in Orlando on Oct. 11, 2026. (Patrick Connolly\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

The Shins perform to open for Weezer at Kia Center in Orlando on Oct. 11, 2026. (Patrick Connolly\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

The Shins open for Weezer at Kia Center in Orlando on Sunday night. (Patrick Connolly\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n

\"Silversun<\/p>\n

Silversun Pickups perform to open for Weezer at Kia Center in Orlando on Oct. 11, 2026. (Patrick Connolly\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n

\"Silversun<\/p>\n

Silversun Pickups perform to open for Weezer at Kia Center in Orlando on Oct. 11, 2026. (Patrick Connolly\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n

\"Silversun<\/p>\n

Silversun Pickups perform to open for Weezer at Kia Center in Orlando on Oct. 11, 2026. (Patrick Connolly\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n

\"Silversun<\/p>\n

Silversun Pickups perform to open for Weezer at Kia Center in Orlando on Oct. 11, 2026. (Patrick Connolly\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n

\"Silversun<\/p>\n

Silversun Pickups perform to open for Weezer at Kia Center in Orlando on Oct. 11, 2026. (Patrick Connolly\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n

\"Silversun<\/p>\n

Silversun Pickups perform to open for Weezer at Kia Center in Orlando on Oct. 11, 2026. (Patrick Connolly\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n

\"Silversun<\/p>\n

Silversun Pickups perform to open for Weezer at Kia Center in Orlando on Oct. 11, 2026. (Patrick Connolly\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n

Show Caption<\/p>\n

1 of 32<\/p>\n

Rivers Cuomo of Weezer sings at Kia Center on \u201cThe Gathering\u201d tour in Orlando on Oct. 11, 2026. (Patrick Connolly\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n

Expand<\/a><\/p>\n

Frontman Rivers Cuomo<\/a> and the three other members appeared dressed like suburban dads \u2014 and three of the four are now \u2014 playing to an audience with many moms and dads, except this time they brought their kids. The backyard block party set added to the ambiance, and perhaps the nostalgia for longtime fans who grew up listening to the band\u2019s music.<\/p>\n

As the set progressed, Weezer brought the audience back in time with the sounds of the \u201990s and early 2000s, belting out 2001 hit \u201cHash Pipe\u201d and a pair of songs, \u201cThe Good Life\u201d and \u201cNo Other One,\u201d from the 1996 release \u201cPinkerton<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"WeezerWeezer guitarist Brian Bell performs at Kia Center on “The Gathering” tour in Orlando on Sunday night. (Patrick Connolly\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n

Another recognizable hit, \u201cBeverly Hills,\u201d had the crowd singing along to the song that graced the Billboard charts in 2005.<\/p>\n

At the end of \u201cAcross the Sea,\u201d sparks flew from the power poles and the electricity \u201cwent out,\u201d bringing the band over to a backyard campfire set for two stripped-down, acoustic songs. Cuomo\u2019s tune \u201cLongtime Sunshine\u201d felt nostalgic and touching with the frontman on the electric piano, drummer Patrick Wilson on acoustic guitar and guitarist Brian Bell on clarinet.<\/p>\n

\"WeezerWeezer performs at Kia Center on “The Gathering” tour in Orlando. (Patrick Connolly\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n

The band also brought a bare-bones rendition of \u201cBlue Album\u201d track \u201cIn The Garage\u201d with Cuomo on harmonica.<\/p>\n

When the power came back on, a new drum set emerged on the side of the stage, where Cuomo took a seat to play and sing \u201cPork and Beans\u201d while Wilson once again grabbed the guitar. The band found their usual places for \u201cMy Name Is Jonas,\u201d an emotional coming-of-age tune that got the crowd riled up and singing along.<\/p>\n

\"YoungerYounger fans were abundant at Weezer’s Kia Center concert in Orlando on Sunday night. (Patrick Connolly\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n

As a \u201cportal\u201d opened up inside the house, Silversun Pickups bassist and singer Nikki Monninger emerged on stage to sing a trio of duets with Cuomo: \u201cWe Might as Well Be Strangers,\u201d \u201cI Just Threw Out the Love of My Dreams\u201d and \u201cGo Away,\u201d a 2014 track that has helped fuel Weezer\u2019s return to popularity thanks to TikTok.<\/p>\n

The end of the set featured hit after hit, starting with \u201cUndone \u2014 The Sweater Song,\u201d then \u201cEl Scorcho\u201d and 1994 megahit \u201cSay It Ain\u2019t So.\u201d<\/p>\n

During \u201cBuddy Holly,\u201d a chosen audience member got to play the song\u2019s iconic guitar riff on \u201cair guitar,\u201d just before a towering plume of white confetti burst over the crowd.<\/p>\n

\"TheThe Shins open for Weezer at Kia Center in Orlando on Sunday night. (Patrick Connolly\/Orlando Sentinel)<\/p>\n

It was a joyous burst of energy that brought the night to a crescendo, starting with alternative rockers Silversun Pickups revving up the crowd before The Shins brought mellow indie rock sounds to Orlando on their first arena tour.<\/p>\n

The happy-go-lucky \u201cIsland in the Sun\u201d closed out the night as Weezer-branded inflatable pool floats got tossed to the crowd. It was a fitting closer to play in the sunny Florida peninsula.<\/p>\n

Find me\u00a0@PConnPie on Instagram<\/a> or send me an email: pconnolly@orlandosentinel.com<\/a>. Stay up to date with our latest travel, arts and events coverage by subscribing to our newsletters at\u00a0orlandosentinel.com\/newsletters<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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