Weezer didn’t let a recent headline-making incident stop them from delivering a stellar performance at the Coachella festival on Saturday (April 12th). The Los Angeles band, who were a last-minute addition to the fest, played a 12-song set of fan favorites and a cover of a Metallica classic.
It was only a few days ago when bassist Scott Shriner’s wife, Jillian Lauren, was shot by police and subsequently arrested for attempted murder in a bizarre case that involved a manhunt for three individuals involved in a high speed chase that ended up with one of the suspects on the couple’s property.
Despite the high-profile incident, Shriner and Weezer forged ahead with their Coachella appearance on the Mojave stage, and fans were treated to a set that spotlighted the band’s multiplatinum self-titled debut, also known as “The Blue Album.” In fact, Weezer played five songs from the 1994 LP, including the set-opener “My Name Is Jonas,” along with “Undone – The Sweater Song,” “Surf Wax America,” “Say It Ain’t So,” and the set-closer, “Buddy Holly.”
The band had a little fun during the dialogue intro of “Undone – The Sweater Song,” with guitarist Brian Bell making it all about Coachella, including mention of an after-party in Green Day’s dressing room. They also switched up the lyrics to “Beverly Hills,” shouting, “Living in Coachella, California.”
It’s no secret that frontman Rivers Cuomo was a metalhead growing up, and he showed his love for Metallica when Weezer covered “Enter Sandman” 10 songs into the set, eliciting a massive sing-along from the crowd. Cuomo played a blistering solo during the Metallica cover, even working in a little taste of “Buddy Holly.”
Weezer will play a handful of US festivals in May, followed by a few more in the fall (with tickets available here). They’ll also hit the UK and Europe for a number of festivals and headlining shows beginning in June.
Editor’s Note: Head here for more coverage of Coachella 2025
OMG!!!! @Weezer covering #entersandman @Metallica THIS IS AMAZING!!!!🤗👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾💃🏾👏🏾💃🏾 #Coachella2025 #Coachella 🌹🙏🏾🌱👊🏾😇💕 pic.twitter.com/fCiQrsY6KT
— Jaimee Dianna (@jaimeedianna) April 12, 2025
Setlist:
My Name Is Jonas
Hash Pipe
Pork and Beans
Undone – The Sweater Song
Island in the Sun
The Good Life
Perfect Situation
Surf Wax America
Beverly Hills
Enter Sandman (Metallica cover with “Buddy Holly” tease)
Say It Ain’t So
Buddy Holly