For several years, my partner and I have aimed to take our soon-to-be 13-year-old daughter, Clara, to a live concert. We suggested seeing popular artists like Paul McCartney (a past favorite of hers), Imagine Dragons (more her style than ours), and even Taylor Swift (who serves as a positive role model). To our surprise, she turned down all these offers in favor of attending a concert by “Weird Al” Yankovic.
“Seriously?” I questioned. “What draws you to him?”
“Because he’s hilarious and quirky,” she replied. “My friends and I are obsessed with his song ‘Word Crimes!’”
It turns out Clara isn’t alone in her admiration for Weird Al. His Mandatory Fun tour has sold out at many locations, including the show we attended in the suburbs of Washington, D.C. Despite never hearing his music on the radio, it was evident that Clara and the entire audience, myself included, knew the lyrics by heart.
Weird Al has been a staple of pop culture for decades, referenced in popular TV shows like The Big Bang Theory and appearing as a guest in numerous cartoons that Clara has watched—such as The Simpsons and Johnny Bravo.
Personally, I have vivid memories of my first encounter with Weird Al’s work, particularly when I heard “My Bologna.” At the age of 15, “My Sharona” felt so provocative; I couldn’t fathom why anyone would turn it into a song about a sandwich. Yet, upon hearing “I Love Rocky Road” and “Eat It,” I began to appreciate his genius. Clara, who started reading Mad magazine at 11, seems to have developed an understanding of sarcasm and parody much earlier than I did.
Upon arriving at the concert, Clara expressed interest in exploring the merchandise, and I was astounded to see a line for T-shirts and hats that was far longer than any I’ve encountered at concerts featuring rock legends. The venue was packed with parents and their tweens and teens, a clear indication that this was the place to be for middle schoolers.
As we took our seats, Clara—who typically has a short attention span—was visibly excited, repeatedly asking when the show would commence. Once Weird Al took the stage with “Tacky,” it was hard not to smile. I glanced at Clara, who was fully engaged, capturing photos and videos of her favorite songs on her phone.
Throughout the performance, I noticed that Weird Al has expanded his wardrobe beyond his iconic Hawaiian shirt, showcasing elaborate costume changes. When he and the band dressed as DEVO, I momentarily hoped Clara would recognize them, but alas, she didn’t.
However, she was aware of the songs “Eat It” and “Another One Rides The Bus.” Our family favorite, “Smells Like Nirvana,” was a hit too, and I felt a sense of accomplishment when Clara asked my partner if he had ever seen Nirvana live. He had, and she was impressed—an unexpected turn of events.
The final song before the encore was “Word Crimes,” which cleverly critiques the grammar habits of children today, influenced by texting and spell check. I mentioned to Clara that her English teacher should show the accompanying video in class. She confidently responded, “She has.” It was no surprise that the kids adored Weird Al.
After the concert, we stopped for merchandise, and Clara chose a T-shirt featuring Weird Al and Alfred E. Neuman, a fitting memento for a young fan.
On our drive home, I asked Clara if she would be interested in attending another concert in the future. “Maybe,” she replied, “if Weird Al comes back here again.”
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In summary, Clara’s first concert experience was not what I anticipated, but it turned out to be a memorable evening filled with laughter and fun. Weird Al Yankovic may not be the conventional choice for a first concert, but it was clear that he resonated with her generation.