World of Weird Al Yankovic

So don't get me wrong, I LOVE going to AL shows, I've been to 5 (will be 6 in a couple weeks), and if I could I would go to tons more, but here are things I wish would change a bit on his tours:

-Set lists: He does change them for every tour, but they are often very similar. Does the set list always have to be so "set"? It is sometimes nice to have a standard format, but I miss a lot of the older stuff, and I understand that the show is very technical and that makes it necessary to have the show usually be the same without changing it up by the show. It would be awesome if there were more rotating songs, or two medleys or something where he could include some more stuff in there that he doesn't usually include. Or, if he kept a couple slots open to actually take audience requests, with the band ready to play a selection of songs that they foresee someone asking for. That would be cool. Also I loved when Albuquerque was the encore - I LOVE the Yoda Chant and those two need to stay, but do they always have to be the encore? Does Fat always have to be the final song before the encore? It would just be cool to see SOME changes.

-Songs themselves: As much as I love them, they are usually SO similar to how they sound on the album. With all the backing vocal tracks and what not- they are often replicas of the album recordings. It would be cool if he messed with some instrumentation, did more twists in the vocals, acoustic versions of songs, have the entire song be just the band playing without the need for backing tracks. I loved the truth or dare version of Like A Surgeon, it made it so much fun! Also when he changed the lyrics of Headline News, that was great.

-CONCERT ONLYS! Back in the day, half the sets were concert onlys! (of course, he had far fewer albums then so it was much easier), but I loved songs like Free Delivery, Laundry Day, Green Eggs and Ham, Fast Food, etc- those were awesome! More more more! Oh, and Also Cell Phones should stay! Or something like that.

-I wish Al would talk more! I mean, we get plenty of "talking" with the videos, but the only time he really talks (usually) is when he is introducing the drum solo or something, he seems to talk less and less with each tour. Running With Scissors had that whole thing with the shooting Ruben when he interrupted his little speech, or the Poodle Hat tour he talked before A Complicated Song. Stuff like that. Audience interaction (besides WBUL) would be sweet too.

Of course, I know the show is already so long and it is hard to add without taking something away, and Al tries to stay very topical which kinda pushes some of his older stuff out. He should reprise some old set lists someday. That would be amazing!


Just some things I think about. Despite those, I love going to Al's shows and I never complain about anything he does, just things I wish he'd add!
Anyone else have similar thoughts?

Well if he got rid of some of the costume changes he could do some of what you suggested. I love the Al shows, but I agree that there needs to be a shake up. When they started the current tour it was said that there was a major overhaul of the setlist. I love how he brought back some older songs for the medley. When was the last time IWAND was performed? The problem is, Al, like any artist that has been around for any length of time has to play the hits. Concert only songs arent hits. He has to eliminate them in favor of playing things people want to hear. You have to remember that Al doesnt play for us, he mostly plays for the casual fan. I think that when Al retires, and yes it will happen someday, he should do a group of shows for us. All the songs we want to hear live, you know that we will pack a theatre to see things done he has never done live before.

^^ That would be awesome
And yeah, I get what you mean by "the casual fan" - everything I'm saying I'm sure is because I've been to multiple shows and I'm a big enough fan that I've seen everything so many times that I desire more and more

He brought back Dare To Be Stupid, You Don't Love Me Anymore, You Make Me, Frank's 2000" TV, Let Me Be Your Hog and Good Old Days in the last couple years, thats pretty awesome for classic material, its just too bad they can't play all 6 every show, then I dont think anyone would complain. I hate to see Polka Party not represented in any way or any album for that matter. Yeah, the end of the show has been molded quite nicely, since he must play all those songs anyway, its the best way to do it. As far as changing the way he sings the songs, thats not really a good idea, especially with the background vocals, people love to hear that stuff there, besides when he sings " heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee's a ghost" or something, thats funny.

Mike, I love your idea.
When I was at the Lancaster show, I was THRILLED to hear "My Bologna", "Lasagna", "I Want a New Duck", "Spam"...and I think a few others in the medley...
I never thought I'd get to hear those live, and it was awesome to hear something new. But like you said, the "casual fans" most likely aren't terribly familiar with those ones. So yeah, it would be awesome if Al and the band did a private concert for the hardcore fans sometime in the future and played the not-so-popular songs.

I've wished for years that Al & the guys would do a no-costumes, all-originals show. You probably couldn't tour with it, but with less complicated staging, and if it were done in LA.... why not?

I'd prefer it to be done on the East Coast, my back yard will do nicely I think

Yeah, I was just thinking of what would be the least expensive concert to do. Save travel expenses & all. Nothing to do with the fact that I live near LA.

Even though I do live in the East, it would definitely make much better sense to do a show like that on the west coast. I wouldn't mind making a trip back out there for something like that.

They could do something like 10 special concert dates, spread out in various locations, so more people could have the chance to see it.