For years, my partner and I have been eager to take our soon-to-be 13-year-old daughter, Emma, to her first live concert. We suggested artists like Paul McCartney (she adored The Beatles during her childhood), Imagine Dragons (a choice definitely more for her than us), and Taylor Swift (a solid role model). To our surprise, she turned them all down in favor of seeing Weird Al Yankovic.
“Really?” I asked, puzzled. “What’s the appeal?”
“Because he’s hilarious and a bit nerdy,” she replied. “My friends and I love his song ‘Word Crimes.’”
It seems Emma isn’t alone in her appreciation for Weird Al’s humor. His Mandatory Fun tour has sold out at numerous venues, including the one we attended in June near Washington, D.C. Despite my unfamiliarity with his songs on the radio, I found myself singing along with Emma and the enthusiastic crowd.
Weird Al has been a staple of pop culture for decades, appearing on popular TV shows like The Big Bang Theory and guest-starring in many cartoons Emma has grown up with—The Simpsons, Adventure Time, and even some classic Scooby-Doo episodes she watched as a child.
I have my own fond memories of Weird Al, like the first time I heard his parody “My Bologna.” At 15, I was struck by the boldness of “My Sharona,” which felt so charged with youthful desire. I still can’t fathom how anyone could turn that into a song about a sandwich! But when his parodies like “I Love Rocky Road” and “Eat It” came out, it clicked for me. Emma seems to have grasped the essence of parody far earlier than I did, likely thanks to her early exposure to Mad magazine at just 11.
Upon arriving at the concert, Emma expressed interest in checking out the merchandise, but we were met with an impressively long line for T-shirts, hats, and trading cards—far longer than any I had seen at shows for Robert Plant or the Rolling Stones. The venue was packed with parents and tweens, and I noticed a few of her classmates among the crowd. It was clear this was the ultimate event for middle schoolers.
As we settled into our seats, I was surprised to see Emma, who usually struggles with anything lasting over an hour, buzzing with excitement. She repeatedly asked when the show would begin—not out of boredom but pure anticipation. When Weird Al finally took the stage, kicking off with “Tacky,” it was impossible not to smile. I glanced at Emma, who was capturing every moment on her phone, just like every other kid in the audience.
It became apparent that Weird Al had evolved beyond his signature Hawaiian shirt; he dazzled us with numerous costume changes throughout the performance. When he appeared dressed up like DEVO, I hoped Emma might recognize the reference, but alas, she didn’t. However, she was familiar with the origins of “Eat It” and “Another One Rides The Bus.” Our family favorite, “Smells Like Nirvana,” had her asking my partner, “Did you ever see Nirvana?” which impressed him since he had.
The show culminated with “Word Crimes,” a witty critique of how modern communication has hindered grammar skills. I suggested that her English teacher should show the accompanying video in class. Emma replied, “She has!” It’s no wonder these kids adore Weird Al.
After the show, we stopped by the merchandise booth, and as expected, my Mad magazine enthusiast picked out a T-shirt featuring Weird Al alongside Alfred E. Neuman.
On the drive home, I asked Emma if she’d like to see another live concert in the future. “Maybe,” she mused, “if Weird Al comes back around.”
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Summary
Emma’s first concert was an unexpected delight as she chose to see Weird Al Yankovic instead of more mainstream artists. The event showcased not only her love for humor and parody but also how music can bridge generational gaps.