Weird Al was absolutely brilliant!

Weird Al Yankovic, from Lynwood, California, remains the top-selling comedy recording artist of all time, known for his razor-sharp parodies and decades of live performance mastery. His current touring band includes longtime collaborators Jon “Bermuda” Schwartz (drums), Jim “Kimo” West (guitar), Steve Jay (bass), Rubén Valtierra (keys), and Scheila Gonzalez (sax, backing vocals), now joined by Probyn Gregory, Payton Velligan, and Monique Donnelly to expand the live sound for the “Bigger & Weirder 2025 Tour.” With a discography spanning 14 studio albums including Bad Hair Day, Straight Outta Lynwood, Mandatory Fun, and his 2025 single “Polkamania!,” Yankovic continues to blend musicality with biting humor. He’s earned five Grammys, an Emmy, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The tour, launched across 65 dates in the U.S. and Canada, stops in major cities like NYC, Boston, Toronto, and Raleigh. Costumes ranged from a space-opera robe to a chicken suit and polka tuxedo. Staging was designed by Spectra Creative Productions, with lighting by LuminaStage Designs. Chris “Mix” Carmichael ran Weird Al’s soundboard. Yankovic supports causes like MusiCares and Little Kids Rock. Merchandise at the Red Hat Amphitheater in Raleigh sold fast—accordion keychains, parody shirts, and tour books snapped up by ecstatic fans.

Weird Al Yankovic

Puddles Pity Party opened the night with a haunting, deeply felt set that balanced heartbreak and charm. A 6’8” sad clown from Atlanta, Puddles (Michael Geier) performed solo, alternating between stark silence and powerful, emotive renditions of pop standards. His suitcase contained spare gloves, white makeup, a mirror, and well-worn clown shoes—props that help him stay grounded in character. Though unsigned, his viral videos and TV appearances have earned him a dedicated international following. His merchandise included plush dolls, posters, and enamel pins. Puddles’ audio mix was handled by Maria Sanchez, delivering crisp clarity to his soaring vocals. The crowd at Red Hat responded with reverent stillness followed by roaring ovations, and behind the scenes, he and Al shared a lighthearted moment when Al jokingly tried on the clown shoes. That blend of behind-the-curtain camaraderie and over-the-top showmanship defined the evening—two theatrical misfits, wildly different, yet perfectly paired. Puddles supports youth arts and LGBTQ+ causes, and his continued success lies in delivering something few acts can: vulnerability wrapped in spectacle. His official site is puddlespityparty.com, and Weird Al’s is weirdal.com.

Puddles Pity Party