Teen anthems revisited: Weezer at the track

Author

By Victoria Leyva

Publish Date

Sept. 13, 2013

It was a warm seaside evening as thousands crowded the Del Mar racetrack’s concert stage awaiting L.A. alt-rockers Weezer. It was difficult to distinguish the rumble of the passing Amtrak from the roar of the crowd when the opening riffs to “My Name Is Jonas” pierced the air and started the show.

Polo-clad geeks, blue-haired freaks, and flanneled misfits made up a crowd that screamed along to lyrics proclaiming an envy of the “Beverly Hills” lifestyle, vocalized angst through “Say It Ain’t So,” and danced to a song that was sung by a man who looked “just like Buddy Holly.” Beloved teen anthems revisited.

Lead singer Rivers Cuomo would pause between songs to praise the audience and tiredly cheer its antics. It took a tick to realize that Cuomo wasn’t tired, just awkward, despite the bands mass appeal. It’s his awkwardness, though, that makes fans feel comfortable in their own weirdness, makes them feel like they belong, a “Perfect Situation.”