Weezer

Weezer brought The Gathering to Nationwide Arena in Columbus with The Shins and Silversun Pickups, bringing together three different sounds and energies for a night of alternative rock, nostalgia and a crowd ready to enjoy every part of it.

Silversun Pickups were an unexpected discovery of the night. Their sound felt familiar, but seeing them live brought a completely different energy.

Bassist Nikki Monninger immediately stood out, while Brian Aubert brought an equally strong presence at the front of the stage. Behind them, Christopher Guanlao was impossible to miss. Between the hair whipping, facial expressions and constant movement behind the drums, he looked completely immersed in the performance. Joe Lester added another layer from the keys, helping create the full, atmospheric sound surrounding the band.

Their set was catchy, energetic and genuinely fun to watch. Silversun Pickups started the night as the band I knew the least about and ended it as one I wanted to hear more from.

The Shins brought a completely different feeling to the arena. Their blend of indie and folk rock has a relaxing quality to it, almost like the soundtrack to a slow afternoon in a coffee shop.

For many listeners, myself included, “New Slang” may be the song that first comes to mind when thinking of The Shins. At Nationwide, their set included songs like “Simple Song,” “Australia” and “Gone for Good,” giving the crowd plenty to sing and nod along to.

Their stage presence matched their music. It was relaxed and natural without losing the audience's attention. Patti King especially caught the eye onstage, while the crowd seemed comfortable settling into the band's sound.

Nationwide Arena also did a great job with the sound throughout the night. The softer details of The Shins' music remained clear and never felt lost in such a large room. Their set was an easy, enjoyable change of pace before the night shifted toward Weezer.

By the time Weezer was ready to take the stage, The Gathering had already started telling its story.

An opening film followed a young Weezer fan who, after being bullied, creates flyers advertising an imaginary Weezer concert at his house. The story takes a strange turn when the flyer eventually finds its way to the band, drawing Weezer into his neighborhood.

As the film ended, that imaginary neighborhood became real.

Haze filled the stage as Weezer emerged through the white picket fence, waving to fans as they entered to a loud Columbus welcome. Behind them was the suburban world introduced on screen, complete with a house, mailbox, power lines and shoes hanging overhead.

Suddenly, the neighborhood wasn't just a cool backdrop. The audience had essentially stepped into the kid's backyard, and the concert became the gathering he had imagined.

That concept also felt fitting for a band whose history now stretches more than three decades. There was plenty of nostalgia in the production, but it was presented in a playful way that felt unmistakably Weezer.

Columbus came prepared for it. Gold and yellow stood out throughout the crowd alongside Weezer hats, signs and sunglasses spelling out the band's name. From the moment the band appeared, people were ready to sing, dance and have a good time.

Rivers Cuomo led the night on vocals and guitar alongside Brian Bell on guitar, Scott Shriner on bass and Patrick Wilson on drums. Each member brought his own personality to the stage. From Rivers at the front to Patrick behind the kit, there was an ease and playful energy between them that carried into the crowd.

At one point during the set, I took a moment to look around Nationwide and just be present. Thousands of people were singing and dancing to songs that have probably meant something different to each of them over the years. Some have been listening to Weezer for decades, while others found them much later. In that moment, none of that really mattered. Everyone was simply enjoying the same music together.

That may have been the best part of The Gathering. The night celebrated Weezer's history without feeling stuck in it. It was nostalgic, fun and uplifting, and showed why people are still showing up to experience this band together more than 30 years later.

For one night in Columbus, everyone got to be part of the gathering.