Live Shows: "Weird Al" Yankovic, Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion, Gilford, NH, 7/18/19

I've been a fan of "Weird Al" Yankovic since elementary school, which was over thirty years ago. Even though I've seen most of my musical heroes, somehow I've never just gone for it and bought "Weird Al" tickets. Since I got my daughter into him a few years ago, I finally did it and bought us tickets for his "Strings Attached" tour.

The night started off a little rough. The announced start time for the show was 7:00, and it wasn't until 7:30 that the orchestra started. (The "Strings Attached" tour features a forty one piece orchestra.) They played four songs from films like Raiders of the Lost Ark and Mission Impossible, followed by a twenty minute intermission. Let's just say the average ten year old does not care about film scores to movies she has no interest in watching. I thought I was going to lose her, but then "Weird Al" finally started at 8:15.

The smile on my daughter's face made everything worth it. I don't think I've ever seen such a thrilled look on anyone before. Just the fact that someone that famous was right there. I'm sure I had an identical look. There's something about seeing your heroes from elementary school unlike anything else.

And what a show. The night started off with a medley of jazzed up/R&B versions of "I Lost on Jeopardy," "I Love Rocky Road," and "Like a Surgeon." And then he played "The Biggest Ball of Twine in Minnesota," which is a song I never ever dreamed of seeing performed live. I'm not sure if "Weird Al" realized how much he enjoyed playing the more obscure songs after the "Ridiculously Self Indulgent, Ill Advised Vanity Tour," but he seemed to be busting out truly unexpected songs this night. It also could have been him taking advantage of the orchestra, but he also played "One More Minute," "Weasel Stomping Day," and the thrilling "Harvey the Wonder Hamster." Of course, there were also the big hits of "Smells Like Nirvana," "Word Crimes," "Dare to Be Stupid," and the Star Wars encore of "The Saga Begins" and "Yoda."

I've never waited such a long time to see an artist, but I certainly won't be waiting anoter thirty years before seeing "Weird Al" again. I just hope my daughter still wants to come the next time.