"In celebration of Weezer’s innovative new SZNZ project - a collection of four EPs matching each season - the band is thrilled to announce a short residency on Broadway this fall. The run, which will happen September 13 through September 18, will be unlike any shows Weezer have played before. Each night’s show will not only correspond with a different season’s EP, but will see the band reaching deep into their catalog to play a unique set of Weezer classics, many of which have not been played in years. A fifth night of shows will be a mix of all the songs from SZNZ and Weezer fan favorites from the previous four nights."
Not an official announcement, and tickets are still on sale, but Rivers Cuomo, the band's frontman, posted today on Discord that the Broadway shows have been cancelled, citing "low ticket sales and unbelievably high expenses."
Tuna2 said: "Tickets are way overpriced!! I like Weezer, but I don’t like them that much!! They out priced the market, hence the poor ticket sales."
This is the problem with these short one-week residencies. To make a profit while only having a couple shows, they have to charge high prices. But when they charge high prices, there's no longer enough demand for it. A no-win situation for them.
Since when does a few nights equal a "residency?" Sarah Brightman is doing like 3 nights in Vegas and called it a "residency." Anyway, their prices were insane and they clearly overestimated their appeal in this economy. Also, with each show having a different setlist, the cost would be astronomical for a fan who wanted to see all the shows. They need to be honest with themselves about their appeal.
I am sure they could have found a less expensive theatre option in the area to decrease their costs and allowed them to do a couple shows in NYC. If they really wanted to play for their fans they could have used New World stages, Theatre Row, or an off-Broadway house.
"The sexual energy between the mother and son really concerns me!"-random woman behind me at Next to Normal
"I want to meet him after and bang him!"-random woman who exposed her breasts at Rock of Ages, referring to James Carpinello
I saw them a couple of years ago at both Jones Beach and PNC Bank Arts Center, both times with free tickets, and the shows were at most 25% full. Was this a vanity project by Rivers Cuomo? Even as a Weezer fan myself, I wouldn't shell out the cash to see them on Broadway, nevertheless Broadway prices. Maybe RUSH prices...
Bettyboy72 said: "Since when does a few nights equal a "residency?"
I might be wrong about this, but it seemed to stem from (or at least experienced a resurgence with) Bruce Springsteen's long-running "residency" Broadway show. That show ran for quite a while, so I think it mostly earned that label.
So then Live Nation to put on the "In Residence on Broadway" series at the Lunt-Fontanne - seemingly realizing there was money to be made by putting popular artists in a Broadway theatre, and using similar language to label it. And Live Nation was producing the Weezer show as well.
In addition to piggy-backing off of the Springsteen success, I guess the "residency" language is also a supposed to give it an air of legitimacy. Being on Broadway comes with a certain degree of cultural baggage - and it's a whole to-do, where even a 2-night concert engagement can become an "official Broadway production" with an entry on IBDB, and Playbills, etc. So maybe the producers might want to use elevated language to make it feel like more of a legitimate SHOW that belongs on Broadway.
The landlords might also appreciate it; the designation of being an official Broadway theatre comes with the understanding that it will primarily house theatrical productions - so while they're within their rights to house concerts and stand-up when they want to, they'll want to avoid being seen as a "mere" concert venue. And maybe using a word like "residency" helps with that spin.
Sutton Ross said: "That's the understatement of the year. They haven't been relevant in 20 years. I can't believe they thought thousands would be interested. Yikes."
Considering they just co-headlined a tour around North America and Europe (and before Covid hit, it was meant to be a world-wide tour) with Fallout Boy and Green Day I'd say they still have some relevance. This was just poor marketing and pricing.
This comment always fascinates me. Nobody can be expected to know every band and performer. It’s okay. An internet search always helps if you’re interested.