Live Review: Weezer, Cloud Control, Ball Park Music

A lot's been said about Weezer not coming to Australia for 16-odd years, but tonight that wait only adds to the excitement as swarms of indie lovers descend on Boondall to finally spy their heroes in the flesh. First we're treated to a tight set from locals Ball Park Music, who seem completely at ease on the big stage and elicit a strong response from the parochial home crowd. Whether it's newer tracks like Surrender and Coming Down or old faves such as iFly and Sad Rad Future Dude, their string of classy pop nuggets kick things off with aplomb.

Next up are Blue Mountains-bred four-piece Cloud Control, whose sound is a bit edgier than their predecessors but still equally accessible. Frontman Alister Wright lets his voice soar during This Is What I Said, and they trial a handful of new tracks, the most immediate being Ice Age Heatwave. They finish strongly with the one-two punch of There's Nothing In The Water We Can't Fight and Ghost Story, certainly acquiring some new acolytes in the process.

Finally our prodigal rockers Weezer take to the stage to a thunderous reception, the packed floor awash with smiling faces as Rivers Cuomo introduces the concept of tonight's show and they smash into (If You're Wondering If I Want You To) I Want You To from 2009's Raditude, Rivers evoking a time machine as he explains that they'll be working through the highlights of their catalogue in reverse chronological order.

They proceed to shower us with hit after hit, Pork & Beans, Troublemaker, Perfect Situation and the much-maligned Beverley Hills kicking things off. The band themselves seem to be loving the adulation, Rivers still slightly nerdy and neurotic but in good spirits, and bassist Scott Shriner is particular happy to show off some geektastic rock moves. Cuomo busts out a cracking solo during the Shriner-delivered Dope Nose. They offer a strange free-jazz ode to being in Australia, which fittingly segues into the poppy Island In The Sun, then hammer out a raucous version of Hash Pipe.

The crowd are stoked when we finally reach 1996's beloved Pinkerton, and mass singing accompanies both El Scorcho and The Good Life before the band take intermission, during which band historian Karl Koch entertains the masses with a fun and informative slide show on Weezer's history.

Suddenly it's time for the second phase of proceedings, which punches through 1994 debut The Blue Album in its entirety, and both the sound and light show seem to ramp up as they start with a shredding rendition of My Name Is Jonas. The fact that everyone now knows what's coming doesn't dampen enthusiasm in the slightest for either band or crowd – highlights of this latter section being the sublime harmonies from Shriner and guitarist Brian Bell during the poignant The World Has Turned And Left Me Here, the singalong heaven of Buddy Holly, Shriner and Cuomo improvising the talking intro to the catchy-as-hell Undone - The Sweater Song, and a ballistic rendition of Say It Ain't So that sends the place into raptures.

Sombre closer Only In Dreams builds to a massive crescendo, the band lost in a swathe of smoke, and suddenly we're done. The band take a group bow and applaud the crowd – the wait finally over and well-and-truly atoned for. Come back soon, boys.