Written by Greg Ackerman Photos by James ATX
If you didn’t understand what the king of parody comedy, “Weird Al” Yankovic intended to tour this year with his “The Ridiculously Self-Indulgent, Ill Advised Vanity Tour” it’s all in the name. Instead of his customary concert setup with costumes, visuals and the latest parody hits, Yankovic elected for a stripped-down concert performance consisting of mostly original (but still hilarious) songs backed by a four-piece band. For his hardcore fans this was a treat, akin to Radiohead taking the stage at a festival and playing only rare B sides for the entire show. Many of the songs in the set list had never been performed live until this tour.
In fact, the 2018 edition of Moontower Comedy Festival featured Yankovic’s headlining concert at the historic Paramount Theatre on Saturday felt more like the They Might Be Giants concert that came through Stubb’s BBQ a few months ago. That influence was confirmed when Yankovic covered TMBG’s “Particle Man” during the encore warning the song might induce a “nerd apocalypse.” He wasn’t far off. In all, the legendary comic played 19 songs during the approximately 90-minute, sold-out performance.
The stage set-up was straighforward. An elevated drum riser behind a seated Yankovic. Guitarist sat to his right. Bassist and keyboard player stood behind and to the left of the legendary musical satirist. Lighting rigs stood on either side of stage with customary concert lighting above. It looked like the intimate concert scene advertised on the Moontower Comedy website. The production and sound were first rate. Yankovic’s band displayed their own musical chops like the seasoned veterans they are.
Yankovic joked after Emo Philips’ opening monologue that If he’d been told 30 years ago that he would be touring around the country in a bus with Philips… he’d have replied you’re probably right. Incidentally, Phillips delivered a great opening classic comedy set. The awkward comedian with the hard-hitting one-liners got plenty of laughs from the Moontower audience.
Yankovic hit “Dare to Be Stupid” appeared second song into the set list spurring his nerdy fans into a mild frenzy. Halfway through the set the comedy maestro played The Doors sendoff “Craigslist.” The song is a personal favorite and satisfied our nostalgic needs. Yankovic played the same song in 2010 at Fun Fun Fun Fest at Waterloo Park. The stripped down version was just as pleasing as our last go-around with the song.
Weird Al kept it real by dropping in a parody-laden medley during the three-song encore followed by crowd-pleaser, “Yoda” set to the tune of Kinks’ classic “Lola.” The often-performed track left the all-ages Paramount crowd content and happy as if Yankovic truly is the pied piper of concert comedy.
