\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div> \t\t\t\t\tduring Smells Like Nirvana<\/span><\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSacha Lecca for Rolling Stone<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n \n\tThe full potential of this expanded band was clear on opening numbers \u201cTacky,\u201d \u201cMission Statement,\u201d and \u201cPolkamania!,\u201d where Yankovic raced through tunes by Adele, Bruno Mars, Miley Cyrus, Lil Nas X, and Taylor Swift in breakneck fashion. The show shifted into another gear when they recreated the \u201cSmells Like Teen Spirit\u201d video in \u201cSmells Like Nirvana,\u201d complete with cheerleaders, and Gregory playing the part of the janitor. They followed it up by strapping on red energy domes and yellow hazmat suites for the Devo spoof \u201cDare To Be Stupid.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\tYankovic has way too many song parodies to fit into a single show, so he created a super medley that stuffed together bits of \u201cBedrock Anthem,\u201d \u201cI Love Rocky Road,\u201d \u201cParty in the CIA,\u201d \u201cIt\u2019s All About the Pentiums,\u201d \u201cMy Bologna,\u201d \u201cOde to a Superhero,\u201d and \u201cEat It\u201d all together. That last one was a mild surprise since he\u2019s avoided his Michael Jackson parodies over the past few years due the revelations of Finding Neverland<\/em>, and simple exhaustion after playing them every show going back to the Eighties.<\/p>\n \n\tYankovic and the band cleared the stage after the parody medley, and the beginning of the \u201cFat\u201d video played on the screen. (It was a beautiful sight watching 15,000 or so people screaming out \u201cDing Dong, man, Ding Dong.\u201d) Inevitably, Yankovic waddled back out in his famous \u201cFat\u201d suit and bounced around the stage as he belted out the 1988 hit.<\/p>\n \t\tRelated Content<\/p>\n<\/h2>\n<\/section>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\tduring Dare to Be Stupid<\/span><\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSacha Lecca for Rolling Stone<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n \n\tWe should pause here and note that even though Yankovic has looked roughly 45 for the past quarter century, he\u2019s now 65-years-old. But the strength of his voice is practically undiminished, and he showed not a hint of fatigue throughout the extended set even though he\u2019s hitting 67 cities on this tour, often playing three or four consecutive nights without break. It\u2019s a testament to a lifetime of clean living and his strict vegetarian diet that he\u2019s able to do this.<\/p>\n \n\tThe only real missteps of the night were his baffling decision to play the theme songs to both the 2017 Captain Underpants<\/em> movie, and the 2016 Disney show Milo Murphy\u2019s Law.<\/em> These may have been gestures to the many kids in the audience, but they came off like live trailers to two deeply forgettable animated projects. (They also took up space where we could have heard something like \u201cThe Night Santa Went Crazy,\u201d \u201cMoney for Nothing\/Beverly Hillbillies\u201d or \u201cThe Biggest Ball of Twine in Minnesota.\u201d)<\/p>\n \n\tOn the Ill-Advised Vanity Tour, Yankovic always stuck in a random cover song that he delivered without any attempt at parody. He kept the tradition alive at MSG by playing Paul Simon\u2019s \u201cYou Can Call Me Al,\u201d complete with a recreation of Chevy Chase\u2019s horn choreography from the video.<\/p>\n \n\tThe main set ended with gleeful renditions of \u201cWhite & Nerdy\u201d and \u201cAmish Paradise\u201d that had much of the crowd on their feet. They remained there after the encore break as the stage filled up with members of the band and crew dressed as Storm Troopers, Darth Vader, Sith Lords, Jedis, and Princess Leah. This could have only meant \u201cThe Saga Begins\u201d and \u201cYoda\u201d to close out the night.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\tWeird Al during medley (Eat it)<\/span><\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSacha Lecca for Rolling Stone<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n \n\tIf anyone happened to stumble into Madison Square Garden at this moment, they would have thought this was the world\u2019s weirdest Star Wars<\/em> fan convention. A mechanized R2D2 was even roving around the stage. But to the \u201cWeird Al\u201d fan community, this was a sacred encore ritual that goes back decades. It\u2019s been staged at innumerable casinos, state fairs, indoor theaters, and outdoor amphitheaters throughout Yankovic\u2019s live career. To finally witness it at the world\u2019s most prestigious arena was absolutely glorious.<\/p>\n \n\tIt was just one stop on a tour that will help him on the road through late September. (We urge everyone to arrive early to see opening act Puddles Pity Party, a singing clown with a strong YouTube following.<\/a> His hysterical set culminates with a performance of the Gilligan\u2019s Theme<\/em> song set to the tune of \u201cStairway To Heaven\u201d as images from the 1995 Kevin Costner box office clop Waterworld<\/em> flash on the screen.)<\/p>\n \n\tYankovic hasn\u2019t announced any plans once the tour wraps, but let\u2019s hope he eventually starts releasing new song parodies. We\u2019ll never tire of hearing the oldies live in concert, but he\u2019s really going to cede the entire space to randos on YouTube? We just have to imagine his Chappell Roan, Billie Eilish, and Morgan Wallen spoofs in our heads? <\/p>\n \n\tIt\u2019s a frustrating situation for longtime fans, but maybe it\u2019s a little greedy to want more from a man who has already given the pop culture world so much. And now that he\u2019s sold out Madison Square Garden, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame should consider finally placing his name on the ballot. It\u2019s time. He\u2019s earned it.<\/p>\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.rollingstone.com\/wp-content\/themes\/vip\/pmc-rollingstone-2022\/assets\/public\/lazyload-fallback.gif\")
<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div><\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>