Original fans of Weezer are all grown up. But despite possessing more grey hair than when they first started listening to the ’90s alt-rock band, their youthful spirits live on at the group’s shows, including the sold-out “Gathering Tour” stop at the Chase Center on September 9, celebrating latest release The Gold Album, Weezer’s 20th LP.
But what might surprise many was the preponderance of younger people on the floor: Preteens, teenagers, and young adults joined OG fans, a generational melange of colorful hair, all-black outfits, and vintage Weezer merch, many sporting Weezer’s iconic W written on their hands and/or foreheads. And all singing along in unison.
Teenager Sebastian Ramos and his mom Felicia Ramos traveled from San Jose, California to see their first ever Weezer concert. Sebastian, 14, said, “This is my first Weezer concert and it was amazing!” Sebastian introduced his mom to Weezer when she’d allowed him to take over aux in the car during their drives, “I just play whatever is on my playlist, and I always love a little good Weezer.”
Despite Sebastian being born way before Weezer blew up, he said that he has always enjoyed older music, and got into Weezer through his friends. The most surprising part of the night for him was all the effects the concert had with smoke machines, flames shooting out of the stage, and the confetti canons.
Felicia said she really enjoyed the concert and the bonding time with her growing teen, so when her son brought up wanting to see Weezer she couldn’t refuse the opportunity.
“With a teenager you gotta take them where you can [chuckles]. These are his first concerts so it’s nice to be able to go out and be able to spend this time with my son. He is already going to be 15 years old, and be off to college soon. We gotta do a lot of first and hang out”.
Lifelong San Franciscans and Weezer fans Regan Dayton, 49, her husband Todd Dayton, 54, and 14-year-old daughter Evelynn Dayton attended the concert together.
“I’ve been listening to Weezer for way too many decades to mention, probably since the Blue Album,” said Regan who has seen the band live three times. For Evelynn, this was her first ever Weezer concert. She said since her mom was listening to Weezer for so long it led her to discover her love for the band, “I really like their style of music, it’s not something you find a lot.”
Todd has seen Weezer live three times, but this show held a special spot in his heart, “I came to see Weezer because it crosses generations between me and my daughter. We both have music we like from the same band.”
Regan said her Evelynn knew some of Weezer’s new songs that she hasn’t listened to yet, but she and her husband got to introduce Evelynn to the older hidden gem songs of Weezer. “This is just one more thing where she knew songs we didn’t and we knew songs she didn’t. It bridges the [generational] gap. It’s amazing.”
Evelynn described how much she loved the crowds vibe at the concert because of how people weren’t afraid to get excited, sing and dance to “Say it Ain’t So” and “Buddy Holly.” She also really appreciated the diverse range of instruments the band used during their set.
If the Dayton family could say anything to Weezer their biggest emphasis was for the band to keep playing. “Please keep doing shows. It’s absolutely amazing live music that is an experience that you just can’t get, and the band is willing to do it,” said Regan.
Evelynn wanted to thank the band for their music because of how she found it so comforting as she finds her footing in life as a teen. “A lot of their songs are about being a little different, and are really good to grow up with especially in your teenage years, because I can really relate. So I hope they can keep that up even though they’re not teenagers anymore.”
