Photography by: Kimberly Kanuck
Review By: Janel Spiegel
“Weird Al” Yankovic: Bigger and Weirder Tour 2026
Musikfest 2026
August 4, 2026, at 7:30pm
Wind Creek Steel Stage
711 East First Street, Bethlehem, Pa
Bethlehem, Pa., Musikfest welcomed the LEGEND that is “Weird Al” Yankovic. It was a beautiful day, and a much-needed night of fun with amazing friends. I left work and headed to ArtsQuest to do my usual check-ins. I am beyond grateful to The Valley Ledger, to Bryn and Tehani. I got to say hello to Anne again during check-in.
Mother Nature was kind with the weather tonight. She said, sunshine for everyone. After check-in, I met my friends. (I have to say Hi Maryann, Thu, Rick, Anita, and MaryLou, and Kim… and everybody I saw. (MaryLou is also one of the awesome volunteers ) The volunteers, security, the Bethlehem Police, Fire, and EMT’s all do an incredible job of keeping everyone safe.
Tonight’s show was such a blast. Puddles Pity Party (Michale Geier) opened the show for “Weird Al.” Puddles had the audience participate and Puddles performed a variety of hits including: “Crazy Train/ “Message in a Bottle,” “Under Pressure,” which also went into, “Let it Go.” Puddles had the “Help The Clown” show up on the stage screen, and Puddles had fans come up, and help during the songs. One gentleman was dressed up as. Tequila bottle by Puddles.
The crowd had a lot of fun, and Puddles is talented. I do a love a crowd sing-along. Puddles performed “Come on up to the House” (Tom Waits cover) and had everybody singing.
We were singing, laughing, and having a good time. In between all of this, I managed to find my friend and photographer Kimberly Kanuck who was stationed at the soundboard with the other photographers. Kim’s a talented photographer.
The sun was setting and it was now that time. It was time to get weird, “Real Deal Holyfield,” Weird. “Weird Al” started his show. “Weird Al” was joined by his longtime band. “Weird Al” brought the “Bigger & Weirder” tour to Musikfest.
The crowd was HYPED, and it was people from all walks of life, and all ages. Officially, “Weird Al” started his musical career at the age of 16 when one of his first comedic songs was played on Dr. Demento Radio Show. “Weird Al” has become a staple in Pop Culture, and everyday life. “Weird Al’s” talent and writing took him further than just parodying songs or simply, “making somebodies song funny.”
There may not be an important lesson or message in all.of his songs, but when you listen to some of the songs, it gives you a few things to ponder. You may wonder what he was thinking and why he picked the song he did to parody?! You may also ponder, what was the real significance the original artist was trying to convey that made “Weird Al” want to rewrite the song.
He was in top form tonight as him and his band did one song after another and kept the momentum going while playing clips from over the years, and even incorporating some new stuff for the fans.
The O.G. “Weird Al” fans were just ecstatic. It took a lot of us back to our childhoods. It took us back to a time that was different. I do not want to say simple, because I do not believe anything is life is “just simple.”
We could laugh, we could cry, we could scream at the top of our lungs. Some of dealt with a lot in life. Some of us did not have easy lives, and music or movies was an escape. My friend Maryann nudged me during the “Weird Al” montage when the “Horrors” clip appeared on the screen onstage. “There is something for you!” I love you, Maryann.
There was and IS SOMETHING FOR ME. I do not want to make this sappy or more than a review, but “Weird Al” gave us all something different. He is sort of the Mr. Roger’s intertwined with Bob Ross and mingled into Leslie Nielsen. He is lighthearted, and funny. There is also some education mixed in.
“Weird Al” is a Grammy winner; he introduced quite a few souls to polka…. When the accordion was raised in the air, the crowd WENT WILD. He plays multiple instruments; he has written TV theme songs.
Clips played from different films clips mingled with silly interviews. Actors like Nic Cage (Con Air, Face Off), J.K. Simmons who was in the film, Whiplash, HBO’s OZ, Red One, and more. Tracey Morgan, and more appeared onscreen.
“Weird Al’s” band includes:
Core Band Members Jim “Kimo” West –
Guitar Steve Jay – BassJon “Bermuda” Schwartz – Drums Rubén Valtierra – Keyboards
Additional Touring Members
Monique Donnelly – Vocals
Scheila Gonzalez – Multi-instrumentalist
Probyn Gregory – Horns/multi-instrumentalist
“Weird Al” sang one hit song after another, including: “Tacky,” “Polkamania!,” AN EPIC DRUM SOLO. I CANNOT DISCUSS IT… IT WAS TOO MUCH. I think the drummer is not from this planet. The drum solo came back later in the show as “Weird Al” promised us we would get what we were waiting for.
“Weird Al” also performed, the “Captain Underpants” theme song, “eBay,” “White & Nerdy,” and of course “Amish Paradide.” If you get a chance to see “Weird Al” Yankovic and his band live, RUN AND GO SEE “Weird Al” Yankovic. It was beyond amazing, and the encore… well let’s just say, “the force is strong” with this encore.
Thank you so much “Weird Al” Yankovic for coming to Musikfest, and thank you again to every single soul who works hard to put all of this together, and of course The Valley Ledger.
You can follow me @Butterflyjms or Janel Spiegel on social media for updates.
Follow The Valley Ledger
Follow Musikfest for updates and download the Musikfest app.
“Weird Al” Yankovic https://www.weirdal.com/
Puddles Pity Party https://www.puddlespityparty.com/
Musikfest – ArtsQuest https://www.artsquest.org/musikfest/
Wind Creek Steel Stage Headliners
July 30 (Preview Night): Grupo Niche
July 31: Russell Dickerson
August 1: John Mulaney
August 2: Third Eye Blind
August 3: TRAIN
August 4: “Weird Al” Yankovic
August 5: T.I. with special guest DaBaby
August 6: Bailey Zimmerman
August 7: Parker McCollum
August 8: Yellowcard and Taking Back Sunday
August 9: AJR
