Things Got Strange In The Queen City With “Weird Al” Yankovic

Strings Attached Tour Rocks Charlotte

One of the most unique and definitely one of the most entertaining shows of the season made a stop in Charlotte Sunday evening. To the casual passerby, it may have looked like an ordinary outdoor concert as members of the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra began to arrive at the Charlotte Metro Credit Union Ampitheatre.

The night’s festivities, however, would prove to be much, much more. Things were about to get strange and downright weird in the most wonderful way possible as the master of parodies, “Weird Al” Yankovic and his 2019 Strings Attached Tour made a stop in the Queen City.

Al first made a splash in the entertainment scene back in the 1980s with “Eat It,” his famous tongue-in-cheek version of Michael Jackson’s hit single “Beat It.” “Weird Al” has since gone on to become not only a master entertainer but a genuine pop culture icon appearing in hit movies and television shows as well as releasing hit after hit, even snagging another Grammy in 2019 for his Squeeze Box boxed set.

For this tour, Al is enlisting the help of local orchestras and the Charlotte Symphony began warming up as the crowd was filtering into the venue. The show began with several musical selections played by the orchestra including “The Raiders March” and “Mission: Impossible.” After a short break, it was game time and “Weird Al” made his way onto the stage opening up with a medley of some of his biggest hits.

It was obvious early on that this was going to be a show nobody would forget. Both the orchestra and Al’s band sounded great as Al wowed the crowd as nobody else can.

There was a giant LED screen at the back of the stage that showed various imagery throughout the evening to complement the songs as well as some video montages of some of Al’s TV and movie clips during his numerous costume changes. There really was never a dull moment. Even though I’ve never been to Minnesota, I feel as if I have as the images of the biggest ball of twine in Minnesota graced the screen.

That is their biggest tourist attraction after all, isn’t it? If you’re more of a take action kind of person, there was plenty of foot-stomping action with “Weasel Stomping Day.”

There was some great crowd interaction going on throughout the set as well with Al coming down into the audience, singing to fans and pulling a pair of boxers printed with red hearts out of his pants and tossing them to one “lucky” individual. Of course, it wouldn’t be a “Weird Al” show without getting a little “White and Nerdy” and Al scooting around the stage on his Segway.

He also paid homage to the late, great Kurt Cobain of Nirvana as he came out dressed like the rockstar complete with blonde wig and guitar.

Al sounded great as he worked the crowd, throwing a drink in the air and laying down on the stage in a true rock star fashion. The highlight of the evening was yet to come as Al came out dressed the part for “Amish Paradise.”

At the end of the song, he introduced the members of the band and the crowd roared in appreciation showing their love with a standing ovation of epic proportions.

The night was not over yet as Al came back out for a Star Wars tribute with “Yoda,” complete with Storm Troopers and Darth Vader.

All I can say is wow! This was not just a concert or a show but a unique experience that you simply will not see anywhere else. With great music, top-notch visuals, excellent crowd interaction, plenty of humor, and just enough crazy to keep you on your toes, this is a tour to put on your must-see list for the summer. Who else is going to give you weasels, dinosaurs, and Star Wars all in one show? The one and only “Weird Al” Yankovic, that’s who. Get tour and ticket information here.