In what is easily the biggest and weirdest news this week, “Weird Al” Yankovic has lined up a massive 2025 tour that promises to feature his biggest hits alongside fan-favorites and live rarities.
The press release for the announcement of The Bigger & Weirder 2025 Tour also noted there are plans for an elaborate production that will include a giant video wall, multiple costume changes, and an eight-piece backing ensemble featuring Yankovic’s original band.
The tour kicks off mid-June and stops at Ravinia Pavilion in Chicago on June 29, Pine Knob Music Theatre in Detroit on July 2, Everwise Amphitheatre in Indianapolis on July 3, Fraze Pavilion in Dayton on July 6, Blossom Music Center outside Cleveland on Sept. 13, Palace Theatre in Columbus, Ohio, on Sept. 14, and Miller Auditorium at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo on Sept. 17.
“This is kind of a ‘best of both worlds’ tour,” Yankovic said in a statement. “We’ll be doing all the big crowd-pleasing parodies as well as some deep cuts for the hardcore fans — but with twice as many players on stage, everything is going to sound twice as good!”
The 7-foot-tall sad clown Puddles Pity Party, who you may remember from his show at The Clyde Theatre this year,will serve as the special guest throughout the tour.
Deftones set to headline
Deftones are embarking on their first headlining tour since 2022 and will be visiting Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on March 28.
Forged in Sacramento, California, in the late 1980s, the band is known for their experimental sound featured on the popular albums Around the Fur, Diamond Eyes, Koi No Taken, and White Pony, the last of which won them the Best Metal Performance Grammy in 2001 for the song “Elite.”
Alongside special guests Mars Volta and Fleshwater, Deftones will be making their way to Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio, on March 29, United Center in Chicago on March 30, and will be foolin’ around at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on April 1.
Kat Von D leaving a mark
Tattooing legend turned musician Kat Von D has announced dates for her upcoming My Side of the Mountain Tour, fittingly set to kick off just one day before Halloween.
The tour’s first two shows will take place in the Midwest, starting in Indianapolis at The Vogue on Oct. 30 then moving on to Outset in Chicago on Oct. 31.
Both shows will get support from San Diego goth punks Prayers.
In case you were wondering, Von D’s music “blends post-punk, synthwave, and disco goth, infused with a retro ’80s undertone,” according to the press release.
This marks the first time the term “disco goth” has been used in Road Notes.
Paying tribute to Sabbath
Hard-rocking guitarist Zakk Wylde never seems to tire of life on the road.
He just announced his band, Zakk Sabbath, the Black Sabbath tribute band, will be on the road into next year, celebrating the music of one of the pioneers of heavy metal.
The King of the Monstours trek features support from a pair of bands familiar to our area — Led Zeppelin tribute band ZOSO and the all-female Iron Maiden tribute act The Iron Maidens.
Regarding the three acts on the tour, Wylde said, “I was asked to name five essential things that make life great: 1. Great Friends; 2. Great Pizza; 3. Black Sabbath; 4. Led Zeppelin; 5. Iron Maiden.”
You will want to get there early enough to see all three bands when the tour stops at Bogart’s in Cincinnati on Dec. 18, the Egyptian Room at Old National Centre in Indianapolis on Dec. 19, and Intersection in Grand Rapids on Jan. 7.
Road Notes covers concerts within driving distance of Northeast Indiana. Send your news items to info@whatzup.com.
