Hey, do you know what would be amazing? If Weezer covered Toto’s “Africa.” That was the exact thought that 14-year-old Weezer fan named Mary had when she started a Twitter campaign to persuade her favorite band to cover the song. Turns out she was right, and the song led to a live television performance on Jimmy Kimmel and a limited run of vinyl pressings.
“It’s a great story how it started, with a fan reaching out, and us tweeting back,” bassist Scott Shriner told Go Triad.
“Yeah. I put a picture on my Instagram of the three of us, me, (frontman Rivers Cuomo), and (rhythm guitarist Brian Bell), just staring off in different directions, not talking at all,” Shriner continued. “Just like, “We’re going out to play this on television. We’ve never played this before. Oh my God.” We’re all having our own personal freak out crises.”
As Shriner said, it’s a great story considering the song only rose to prominence again after it was used in Stranger Things a couple years ago. But what’s even better is that Weezer is bringing their epic summer tour to PNC Music Pavilion this week and will be fitting the song into their setlist.
“The whole amphitheater lights up and sings along,” Shriner said about playing the song (possibly for the rest of their career). “No matter what I think about a particular song, to see everyone have such a great time, you can’t help but have fun.”
As long as everyone in the amphitheater in having a good time and singing along, Weezer is all for playing it.
But the band’s tour is more than just “Africa.” They’re sharing the stage this season with the Pixies, who haven’t visited Charlotte in over three years. The Pixies have only ever played to a max capacity of 2,500 in the Queen City, but the co-headlining run with Weezer puts them in front of nearly 20,000.
Two of the most beloved and influential bands of the 90s on the biggest outdoor stage in the city. You’d be crazy to miss it.
Lineup: Weezer, Pixies and Sleigh Bells
When: 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 25
Where: PNC Music Pavilion
Tickets: livenation.com
