 Geeks show they can still hack it Weezer London Apollo Hammersmith, Rating: ** of 3
A visit to London by American rock geeks Weezer is always a reason to be cheerful. Alarmingly, however, the band's stock has slumped in the two months since their sell-out shows in Brixton, at least judging by the empty seats at the Apollo, and current single We Are All On Drugs charting at a wretched number 47.
But within minutes, preppy frontman Rivers Cuomo had dispelled any doubts about his band's longevity. With his navy pullover and weedy frame, the sometime Harvard student seemed a peculiar sort of rock star, but he was an awesome performer.
Weezer's trademark power-pop was evident on Don't Let Go, and the band pounded the audience with the glam stomp of recent single Beverly Hills.
And, unpredictably, they swapped instruments for Photograph, the singer banging the drums in a maniacal fashion.
Cuomo has a reputation for being an unapproachable oddball - he attends strict retreats for weeks at a time - but he went walkabout frequently during the gig, getting close-up with the flag-waving fans and punching the air.
He was sort of funny, too, prompting panto-style boos when he said they had just played Germany, followed by cheers when he added: "It's good to be back in a country that speaks English."
That bond with the fans continued for the encore when he suddenly appeared among them on the balcony, singing an acoustic version of the woozy Island In The Sun.
It was an incredible moment, and Weezer got the standing ovation - if not the hit single - they deserved. |
