Bethel Woods Bethel NY July 13 2025 Words and Pictures by Ryan O’Malley
In the music industry, it is quite easy for an instrument to define a musician. For example, if someone mentions a guitar many people would drop names like Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, and Jeff Beck. In the case of drummers, it would involve Neil Peart, John Bonham, and Keith Moon.
But what about an accordion?
After a few seconds of thought, most everyone would spout the same answer: Weird Al Yankovic. That’s because the curly-haired teenager who started recording accordion parodies of hit songs at his parent’s house in the 1970’s and sending them to Dr. Demento has carved his way into the national music scene – and into the hearts of millions of fans around the globe. He has gone from an underground, almost cult-like following into becoming one of music’s most cherished artists whose career has been highlighted by over-the-top theatrical live performances. Recently, Yankovic has embarked on his “Bigger and Weirder 2025 Tour” which touched down at Bethel Woods Center for the Arts in Bethel, N.Y. on July 13.
On his most recent tour prior to the current one, Yankovic and his long-time band did a multi-year tour that veered away from his famous parodies and instead allowed he and his band to perform their original material and style parodies of certain artists. It was a well-received tour for die-hard fans, but for the casual Weird Al fan, it could have left you scratching your head. For this tour, the parodies were back at the forefront and Yankovic kicked it all off with “Tacky,” a parody of “Happy” by Pharrell Williams. “Mission Statement” was more than appropriate for the Bethel show, as the song is a style parody of Crosby, Stills, and Nash, who, along with Neil Young, put in one of the most memorable performances at the 1969 Woodstock Music and Art Festival.
Another style parody occurred with “Everything You Know Is Wrong,” which parodied the overall sound of They Might Be Giants. One of the most enjoyable parts of a Weird Al show is the nonstop barrage of costume changes which accompany mostly every song. In order to accomplish these changeovers, a video screen would show snippets of Yankovic superimposing himself into famous video interviews, or cut away scenes from his feature film “UHF,” or scenes from his old AL-TV show on MTV. Coming out on stage in a blonde wig and dressed in flannel and jeans only meant one thing, it was time to pay tribute to Nirvana with appropriately titled “Smells Like Nirvana,” a song which late Nirvana front man Kurt Cobain loved due to Yankovic’s parody being about most people not being able to understand Cobain’s vocals.
Following a brief interlude, Yankovic and his long time bandmates – bassist Steve Jay, guitarist Jim West, keyboardist Ruben Valtierra, and drummer Jon “Bermuda” Schwartz – emerged looking like someone cloned Devo and delivered a fun version of “Dare to Be Stupid,” an early song which saw Yankovic find commercial success. At 65 years old – yes, Yankovic is 65 but it would be impossible to guess that based on his high energy on stage – he does have to cut back on some costume changes, so there was a well- crafted 15 minute medley of hits in the middle of the set including “Bedrock Anthem,” “My Bologna,” “I Love Rocky Road,” “Eat It,” and “Like a Surgeon.”
Speaking of costume changes, in the world of Weird Al there’s only one costume that elicits the loudest applause of the night. Decked out in a completely oversized chain-dangling leather suit with layers of extra skin makeup added to his face, Yankovic guided his band through a fantastic version of his ode to Michael Jackson and food, “Fat.” As a special treat for both the fans and his band, Yankovic has been doing one cover song per each stop of his tour. And it’s not a parody cover, either. It’s a song for his band to just let loose and have fun on. Previous stops on the tour have seen songs from The Doobie Brothers, Helen Reddy, and Paul Simon make their way into the set list. For Bethel on Sunday, it was George Harrison’s testimony to being madly in love with someone, “What Is Life.”
One of the best parts of any Weird Al show is the broad selection of artists he chooses to parody. Have you ever wanted to hear Weird Al sound like the Backstreet Boys? Good news, there’s a song called “eBay,” which perfectly parodies the Backstreet Boys “I Want it That Way.” Another fine example: “White and Nerdy,” a song where Yankovic takes on “Riding Dirty” by Chamillionaire. Keeping the storm of hits going, Yankovic and his band re-entered the stage dressed in their best Mennonite apparel and the keyboard intro to his mega-hit “Amish Paradise” elicited deafening applause from the almost sold out crowd.
If there are certain topics Weird Al is known for favoring when creating parodies, they would be Michael Jackson, food, and Star Wars. So when the band came back on for an encore wearing Star Wars outfits, and accompanied by storm troopers, it had everyone standing up waiting to sing-along with some of his most beloved material. Before that got under way, it was time for a quick run through his original song “We All Have Cell Phones.” But then the fun began. With a simple piano chord from Valtierra, Yankovic began a fabled story of a young Annakin Skywalker being trained to become a jedi, “The Saga Begins.” The song is a parody of Don McLean’s “American Pie,” and just like the original it is meant to be a sing along and the song was a shining example of Yankovic’s music being multi-generational with parents and their kids both singing along with the chorus. Most of the parents grew up with Star Wars, and you honestly have to wonder if their kids discovered Star Wars on their own or from Weird Al. It’s how much of a mark Yankovic has made on pop culture.
With everyone still on stage in costume, Yankovic ended the night with a fiery performance of “Yoda,” a parody if “Lola” by The Kinks. Once again, there was at least one kid in the audience who may not know the genius of The Kinks, but thanks to Weird Al, at least they know the name The Kinks.
The truly shocking part of the show happens afterwards. While walking out or waiting in line to leave the venue, most people will go on their phones and look up some info on Yankovic. And that’s when you see it: Yankovic sent his first tape in to Dr. Demento in 1976. He’s been doing this almost 50 years. It doesn’t even feel like he’s been doing this 25 years let alone 50. But that’s what Yankovic has become; he’s a national treasure that some people may take for granted, but everyone recognizes. He could have easily given up in the 1970’s and the world may never have known the genius of Weird Al. Instead, like this tour’s name suggests, he only gets bigger and weirder.
Prior to Yankovic’s set, Mike Geier performed a 30 minute set as his alter ego, Puddles Pity Party. Puddles has a very unique and recognizable baritone voice and when mixed in with his sad persona on stage it makes for an enjoyable experience. Set highlights included bringing up a fan to strum a cardboard guitar while he sang “Crazy Train” by Ozzy Osbourne, a perfectly executed mash-up of “Stairway to Heaven” and the theme song to “Gilligan’s Island,” and a powerful version of “My Heart Will Go On” by Celine Dion were random shots of actor Kevin Costner appeared on the video screen.
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