2011/10/09 Chicago: Congress Theater: RIOTfest

Today is a hard day for weezer and all weezer friends, fans, and family. While everyone is still in shock over yesterday's tragic loss of Mikey Welsh, we know damn well he would never have wanted to stop the rock at today's RIOTfest, the show he was planning on attending. On the contrary, the rock was what he loved, both in music and art. To play the show and play it well tonight is to honor him and his memory. We have a feeling he will be watching.

Tonight weezer plays as part of the multi-day Chicago RIOTfest, with Chicago legends Urge Overkill who have reunited after a long hiatus, and who were also a big favorite of Mikey's. Also rocking tonight at the Congress Theater are Teenage Bottlerocket and White Mystery. As voted on by the fans, Weezer will include a complete performance of the Blue Album in their set tonight.

Photos asap - are you going? Did you go? Comment here and/or in our message boards, tell your tale! Post your show pix on our photo page! Same goes for video clips if you got em!

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Comment by Ashley L on October 11, 2011 at 8:06pm: singing no one else i think?

this was my first concert and it was the best night of my life. i was way in the front, and the crowd was insane. i have the bruises to show it. but it was so so so worth it. you guys are so talented. i screamed my lungs out at every song, along with everyone around me. and the atmosphere from the crowd was great, everyone shared the enthusiasm. the best part was when everyone started chanting "mikey"! it was an amazing night for me and i would LOVE to see you when you're back in town. (: i have to agree with the crowd surfers being a little annoying though, they got in the way every now and then. but besides that the show was incredible.

Comment by Andrew Zetek on October 11, 2011 at 5:38pm: Well, I was one of the people who destroyed the sweater. I was wondering what was going on and then I noticed they were destroying a sweater, so I decided to rip a piece off. The crowd was pretty rough, but I'm into moshing, and some of the rowdiest people calmed down by the fourth or fifth song in the set.

Comment by Lisa on October 11, 2011 at 10:41am: My knees are covered in bruises and I never hit the floor, it's from being pushed up against the security fence. Same with my arms and elbows. At one point the crowd was pogo-ing and I was, too, even though I wasn't trying to. :) There was a girl behind me who literally was laying on my back the entire show because she didn't have space to stand up straight. It was crazy. While it was quite appropriate for RiotFest, I suppose, I was pretty bummed that I couldn't enjoy the music completely because I had to keep ducking for security as they kept pulling crowdsurfers over our heads.

That said it was an amazing show and I am incredibly glad I was able to be there. I absolutely LOVED hearing the theater ring with the crowd singing along at times - we sounded amazing, if I do say so myself, :) and it felt like a very shared experience with the crowd and the band during an emotional time. I felt like most people in the crowd were sharing their enthusiasm and support with the band, and I loved the performance.

I Just Threw Out the Love of My Dreams was a real treat for me, too. Awesome.

Comment by Kevin Becker on October 11, 2011 at 10:02am: yeah i have the bruises to show for the crowd up front

Comment by Christie Walsh on October 11, 2011 at 8:54am: Andrew, you're the one who destroyed the sweater? That was pretty much the highlight of the show! Also loved hearing I Just Threw Out the Love of My Dreams.

This was my 8th time seeing Weezer and unfortunately the rough crowd at this one kind of killed it for me. My sister and I both got hurt early on when people started crushing toward the front of the stage. When we tried to get out, people just kept shoving us around. We made it out eventually, and found some chill people on the sidelines to watch the show with. But yeah...it was kind of scary.

Comment by Kali {Weezer Momma} on October 11, 2011 at 5:31am: Han de la Solo: we got a video of most of the song... the phone ran out of memory at the end of it, but i'll see if i can get it posted...

Comment by Kevin Becker on October 10, 2011 at 3:00pm: sorry, blurry, end of show

Comment by Kevin Becker on October 10, 2011 at 2:59pm

Comment by Kevin Becker on October 10, 2011 at 2:37pm: I have now seen weezer 8 times in the chicagoland area since 2000. This was the roughest crowd. 2nd roughest would have to be the metro show in 2000. when the sweater was torn asunder i was in the midst of it. my right arm was tangled by the group father from the stage efforts to pull it apart and walk away. meanwhile my left arm was stuck in the center of activity of what remained of the original threads. after leaving the fray i noticed my watch on my left arm was gone

Comment by Andrew Zetek on October 10, 2011 at 2:37pm: I was really surprised they played I Just Threw Out The Love Of My Dreams, and Paranoid Android. And El Scorcho. Also, Kevin, that first picture is awesome.