Weird Al Yankovic, O2 Apollo. 13th February 2023

Other than a few songs like ‘Like a Surgeon’, which must be nearly 40 years old? I don’t know much about Weird Al Yankovic. I’ve certainly not kept up over the years. I’ve no idea what we’re in for, but I figured it’ll be fun, right? Well, I’m not going to be mean, but I don’t think I’m a fan. Or not enough of a fan for a set like this, where there's very little of the parody stuff and you have to have listened to at least some Weird Al records to know any of the songs. It’s not one for the casual attendee. As he puts it, there are some “confused faces”. I don’t think he means it in that way, but I am confused. Don’t get me wrong, they’re great at what they do, humorous songs about big TVs, illegal downloading, horoscopes, Santa and Eddie Vedder and they are a bloody tight band, but aside ‘First World Problems’ that sounds like the Pixies, I’m struggling. I’m clearly in the minority though. It’s packed and the girl a couple of seats down is bouncing excitedly, clapping like a mechanical monkey that’s lost it’s cymbals. Someone behind us too nails every word of ‘Albuquerque’, which considering it clocks nearly 20 minutes is bloody impressive. In fact by this point I’m kinda getting into it. A quick cover of ‘Suffragette City’ helps too, along with the utterly batshit finale, a medley that includes ‘Amish Paradise’, ‘Smells like Nirvana’ and ‘Yoda’. I’m not converted, it is fun, but more than anything I’m just left thinking what the fuck just happened‽ Hey sometimes you’ve gotta get out of your comfort zone and a Weird Al gig is certainly an experience!