Mark Stefanos
Weird Al Yankovic transformed the Kia Forum into a circus of parody for his “Bigger & Weirder 2025 Tour,” last Saturday, Aug. 30. The king of the accordion was backed by an eight-piece band, had a giant video wall amplifying the chaos, and a whirlwind of costume changes, showing why he’s the undisputed GOAT of musical satire.
The setlist was a mix of classics and surprises, like “Polkamania!” a polka medley mashing up Billie Eilish and Lil Nas X, and “Smells Like Nirvana” (Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit”) that had new bandmate Probyn Gregory mopping the stage as a janitor during the grunge spoof. A mashup included “My Bologna” (The Knack’s “My Sharona”), Eat It (Michael Jackson’s Beat It), “Like a Surgeon” (Madonna’s “Like a Virgin”) and “Word Crimes (Robin Thicke’s “Blurred Lines”).
He even played a straight-up cover of Paul Simon’s “You Can Call Me Al” showcasing that the band is capable of way more than jokey twists on classics.
Of course Al’s parodies go far beyond the lyrical spoofs — they involve a full embodiment of character and outfit changes, including a grunge outfit and attitude like Cobain, the Michael Jackson “Beat It” getup, and much more.
The freakishly sad Puddles Pity Party was the opener. Fans roared with laughter from the start and left delighted.
Photos by Ian Zandi @zandimancam.