There’s a saying in the music industry: “Once your work has been parodied by Weird Al, that’s when you know you’ve made it.” It must be such an honor to be renowned enough that people desire to have their work parodied by him. “Weird Al” Yankovic has cultivated that exact reputation—not only as one of the nicest people in the music industry but also as a beloved icon to millions around the world. His parodies have helped musicians reach new heights and audiences, while fans continue to laugh with him on every track. After nearly five decades of creating some of the most cherished reworks of art, Al hit the road again on his Bigger & Weirder Tour. His hometown show at the Kia Forum in Los Angeles was a sold-out celebration of a career like no other.

Weird Al has had an iconic look since his debut in the 1970s—his curly permed hair, later evolving into long, flowing curls, and his vibrant Hawaiian shirts. Walking into the venue, it was clear that fans had embraced his signature style. The audience was peppered with curly-haired wigs and a sea of Hawaiian shirts, all ready to celebrate a man who has been a musical hero to so many since childhood.

Opening the night was Puddles Pity Party, a singing clown with a melancholic twist. I first discovered Puddles years ago through his appearances with Postmodern Jukebox, and seeing him now opening at the legendary Forum was surreal. Known for reworking songs into lounge-style covers, Puddles’ baritone voice and unique stage presence have carved out a special niche in the music world.

During his cover of “Come Cry With Me,” Puddles pulled out his “Cry Cam,” live-streaming the audience onto the screen at the back of the stage. He snuck up on a security guard, who burst out laughing when he noticed Puddles inches away. Then, he turned the camera on the audience, drawing everyone into his performance.

A standout moment came during his soulful rendition of “Crazy Train,” where Puddles invited a young fan on stage. Armed with a cardboard guitar, the kid channeled the spirit of Randy Rhoads, strumming along as Puddles delivered a heartfelt performance. The crowd quickly caught on to the rhythm and sang along by the second verse.

Puddles kept the audience captivated with renditions of “I’m Always Chasing Rainbows,” “Americana Day,” “Estoy Sentado Aquí,” “Come On Up to the House,” “In the End,” “Stairway to Gilligan’s Island,” and “My Heart Will Go On.” His angelic voice contrasted beautifully with his clownish, depressive persona, creating a performance that was both humorous and moving. By the end, the Forum erupted in a thunderous standing ovation—Puddles had won over every single person in the room.

As the band stepped onto the stage, the man of the hour was nowhere to be seen—yet. Instead, the LCD screen lit up, showing Weird Al in his dressing room as the band launched into “Tacky.” Al began singing while walking through the backstage area, passing Forum workers, Puddles Pity Party, and even Jack Black. When he finally emerged on stage, the crowd erupted in cheers. The tone for the night’s kookiness was officially set.

Weird Al is known for his ability to perfectly imitate the artists he parodies, and he brought those moments to life with a series of costume changes. He dressed as Kurt Cobain for “Smells Like Nirvana,” donned a yellow radioactive jumpsuit for the Devo pastiche “Dare to Be Stupid,” and got into the iconic fat suit for the Michael Jackson parody “Fat.” He even rode a Segway in full P-I-M-P mode for the blazing-fast rap “White & Nerdy” and took us back to a rural time with long beards and candles for “Amish Paradise.”

Between costume changes, the audience was treated to video compilations of Al’s TV appearances, movie clips, and other comedic segments. These vignettes, many filmed in the 1980s, 1990s, and early 2000s, felt timeless—proof of Al’s lasting influence on modern comedy culture.

Weird Al isn’t just a one-man show. He’s backed by an immensely talented band that has been with him for four decades: Jon “Bermuda” Schwartz on drums, Jim “Kimo” West on guitar, Steve Jay on bass, and Rubén Valtierra on piano. These musicians are the backbone of Al’s ability to cover any style or genre, and they fully embraced the show’s theatricality with their own costume changes.

For the encore, Al performed “The Saga Begins” and “Yoda,” with the stage transformed into a Star Wars spectacle. Al dressed as Obi-Wan Kenobi, the band donned Star Wars character costumes, and an army of Stormtroopers flanked Darth Vader at center stage. These songs, steeped in nostalgia, felt like a perfect way to end the night.

This hometown show at the Kia Forum was more than a concert—it was a celebration of a man who turned an accordion, other people’s songs, and an endearing personality into a cherished career. Weird Al has become a cultural icon, beloved by fans and respected by the very artists he parodies. He may not be the “best” accordion player in the world, but he’s undoubtedly the most famous in his extremely specific genre.

Weird Al, you nailed it.