Weezer – Live Review – The Piece Hall, Halifax
By Victoria Holdsworth, June 2025
It was hot and humid in Halifax, and whilst there was some solid support from Teen Mortgage, who were amazing. and Bad Nerves – who leaned a little on The Hives side but nonetheless would make a great festival band for those afternoons when you’re flagging – the crowd, though appreciative, waited with aching anticipation for the main act.
Tonight, Weezer proved once again that time has no power over power chords.
The legendary alt-rock band delivered a high-octane set that blended razor-sharp musicianship with the kind of playful, self-aware goofiness that’s been their trademark since The Blue Album dropped over 30 years ago.
The stage was set up to look like they were trapped within a video game, with stunning visual effects that took you right back to the good old days.
“Perfectly executed”
Kicking things off with ‘Anonymous’ and ‘Hash Pipe’, the band wasted no time getting the crowd fired up. It was clear from the first few notes that this wasn’t just a nostalgia trip – it was a celebration of everything Weezer has built over the years. Rivers Cuomo, with his signature understated charm and slightly nerdy swagger, led the way with strong vocals and tight guitar work.
The band immediately tapped into a kind of generational hive mind – millennials, Gen Zs, and even a few cool Gen X parents roared the lyrics back like they were sacred scripture. Frontman Rivers Cuomo, sporting his now-iconic preppy-geek attire and slightly chaotic charisma, wasted no time between tracks.
‘Dope Nose’, from the 2002 album Maladroit, was cleverly mashed with one of my all-time favourite Weezer ditties, ‘Troublemaker’, and the combination was perfectly executed – igniting the crowd further, despite the unbearable heat.
“Incredible reaction”
There was little interaction between Rivers and the crowd, but no one seemed to mind – they were here for the music, not the banter.
‘Surf Wax America’, from their debut album, sounded as fresh and innovative as ever and was a real standout tune tonight. What was clear from the incredible reaction the songs were receiving is that Weezer’s debut album still holds special meaning for many people.
Seamlessly, the band launched into rollicking renditions of ‘Getchoo’ and ‘Why Bother’, featuring beautiful vocal harmonies with guitarist Brian Bell and bassist Scott Shriner. The crowd was particularly enthusiastic singing the chorus of ‘Pink Triangle’.
“Confident”
They tore through ‘Beverly Hills’, ‘Island in the Sun’, and ‘Pork and Beans’, the latter of which had a Nirvana-esque feel as the band switched from delicate verses to a high-octane, heavy chorus – instant mosh-pit material, performed with surgical tightness and confident swagger.
Tonight, Weezer nailed a tasteful selection of tracks for a jam-packed evening of anthemic classics.
By the encore – an explosive version of S’ay It Ain’t So’ and ‘Buddy Holly’ – Weezer reminded us why they’re more than just nostalgia merchants. They’re a band that somehow still feels like your friend’s weird older brother who just happens to be a genius with a guitar.
Weezer are a band that still knows how to connect with their fans, their past, and the moment they’re in right now. It wasn’t just a good show – it was a reminder of why we’ve been listening to Weezer all these years.
Images: Cuffe & Taylor & The Piece Hall
Victoria is a former English teacher and lifelong musician who has successfully combined her two great passions: words and music. Over the past 20 years, she has written for a variety of publications, giving her the opportunity to witness outstanding talent and meet some truly inspiring individuals. With a deep love for rock, indie, metal, and all things weird and wonderful in between, Victoria also co-runs an independent record label with her friend Tetley.
