Weezer announced the tour on X, stating, “Today is the greatest day we’ve ever known. UK and Ireland we’re coming back around to co-headline a handful of shows next summer with @SmashingPumpkin“.

The Smashing Pumpkins, who have just come off their US tour, announced soon after, “SP is excited to announce we will be touring UK & Ireland next year with Weezer.”

With multiple, multi-platinum records and careers spanning about 30 years, these US bands are sure to thrill UK and Irish fans. Just last year, US fans experienced this powerful rock concoction at BeachLife Festival in California where both bands headlined.

For Weezer, they are returning to the UK after their highly anticipated, Hella Mega, sold-out stadium tour with Green Day and Fallout Boy which was initially delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic. 2022 saw Weezer release an innovative quartet of EP’s titled SZNZ – each album changing its sound to correspond to the feeling and emotions of the four seasons.

Since their debut studio album release in 1994 with Weezer (often referred to as the ‘Blue Album‘), this Los Angeles group have amassed billions of streams, over 10 million album sales in the US and over 35 million record sales internationally.

Chicago rock icons, The Smashing Pumpkins, have had their fair share of success since forming in 1988. Their unique and pioneering sound, which blended various music genres previously unexplored by the world, paved the way for them to achieve enduring iconic status. Their name quickly became synonymous with 90’s alternative rock.

In November 2022, The Smashing Pumpkins began to release a trilogy of rock opera albums titled, ATUM. Past albums they have released have been critically acclaimed and commercially successful. Siamese Dream (1993), which just celebrated its 30th year anniversary, has since gone quadruple-platinum and was placed no.18 in Pitchfork’s ‘Top 100 Albums of the 90’s’.

Tickets for their UK and Ireland co-headlining tour will go on sale Friday 20th October at 10am: get the link here.

Touring dates for The Smashing Pumpkins and Weezer:

07/06/2024 – Birmingham Utilita Arena – Birmingham
08/06 – The O2 Arena – London
10/06 –  3Arena – Dublin
12/06 – Glasgow OVO Hydro – Glasgow
13/06 – Manchester Co-op Live – Manchester
14/06 – Cardiff Castle – Cardiff

In pictures: All the action from the Kerrang! Awards 2022 https://t.co/Vaqajwcyfz pic.twitter.com/V0GBDFIr2j

— Kerrang! (@KerrangMagazine) June 24, 2022

The Kerrang! Awards have remained a staple for any music fan and were founded by the alternative music publication in 1994. Since its formation, the ceremony and its various accolades have become notable recognitions, garnering respect for any act. This year’s annual music show was presented by comedian Ed Gamble and consisted of fourteen award categories, nine of which are voted by a fan poll.

Luke Morton, Kerrang! Editor has given the following statement, “The alternative music scene is more exciting than ever in 2022, and this year’s Kerrang! Awards underlines our commitment to supporting new music and championing the underdogs. I’m so proud to introduce three new categories that strike at the heart of the underground and the alternative community, while also recognising the stadium-conquering legends who have paved the way and make the alt. scene the most inspiring place to be right now. Our world is alive with positive change – get on board.”

The Icon Award presented by Marshall remains one of the ceremony’s most coveted awards, this year the prestigious accolade was awarded to Green Day. The American punk veterans were presented the award for their long and historic career, the East Bay-formed trio have been releasing hits since their formation in 1987. Another esteemed American band were honoured during the ceremony, Fall Out Boy were given the Inspiration Award. Influential rockers Weezer also won big at the awards, the “Buddy Holly” hitmakers were inducted into the Kerrang! Hall of Fame.

This year’s winners consisted of several British acts, Bring Me the Horizon won Best Song for their single “Die4u”. The group are no stranger to the alt-rock music awards, the band have won eight accolades at the Kerrang! Awards, they first won The Best British Newcomer in 2006. The Best British Act award presented by Dead Man’s Fingers Rum was scooped by Biffy Clyro, the Scottish rockers beat out Frank Carter and The Rattlesnakes, Venom Prison, Neck Deep and Loathe to claim the award.

 

 

 

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Presented by Music Venue Trust, Best Live Act was awarded to Twenty One Pilots, the band took to the stage to accept the award just before a scheduled performance at London O2 Academy Brixton. London-formed rock duo Nova Twins are crowned this year’s Best British Breakthrough presented by MEATliquor, the group’s most recent album Supernova was released this month and placed high within the UK album charts.

This year also saw the induction of new categories, the New Noise Award presented by Dr Martins, The Disputer Award and the Grassroots Award. The New Noise accolade was created to celebrate the Grassroots music scene and acknowledge up-and-coming bands who show tremendous promise, this year it was awarded to WARGASM. Trap artist Mimi Barks was given The Disruptor Award, the singer recently released the single DEADGIRL last month to much applause. Inspiring figure Janey Starling was the receiver of The Grassroots Award, the activist is the co-director of the renowned feminist organisation Level-Up and has led many other successful campaigns.

Full List of 2022 Winners

Kerrang! Icon Presented by Marshall – Green Day
Best Live Act Presented by Music Venue Trust – Twenty One Pilots
New Noise Award Presented by Dr. Martin – WARGASM
Best International Breakthrough presented by Blinding Talent – Amyl And The Sniffers
The Disruptor Award – Mimi Barks
Kerrang! Hall Of Fame – Weezer
Best Album – Bob Vylan – Bob Vylan Presents The Price Of Life
Grassroots Award – Janey Starling
Best British Breakthrough presented by MEATliquor – Nova Twins
Best Festival presented by Strongbow Ultra – Download Pilot
Best British Act presented by Dead Man’s Fingers Rum – Biffy Clyro
Best International Act – Poppy
Best Song – Bring Me The Horizon – “DiE4u”
Kerrang! Inspiration Award –  Fall Out Boy

RAK studio London pic.twitter.com/rlPiTmTe4V

— Green Day (@GreenDay) December 19, 2021

Some fans however have started to stir the pot of hype and come up with their own theories of the meaning behind the clip. At one point in the clip, the number “1972” can be spotted flashing on screen. “1972? 50th birthday special?” commented one fan, referencing the fact that the bands’ 3 core members; Billie Joe Armstrong, Mike Dirnt, and Tré Cool were all born in 1972. Possibly alluding to a great big half-century celebration for them all wrapped up neatly in a bunch of old and new Green Day recordings? Who knows?

This wouldn’t make the only moment of reflection for the band in recent months. Only a few weeks ago the band put out The BBC Sessions, a retrospective take on music recorded between 1994 and 2001. In a description taken from the band’s merch store here, they explain, “Green Day would visit the BBC’s Maida Vale studios in London four times and record live sessions for Radio 1’s “evening show” and its popular DJ Steve Lamacq” adding, “this compilation documents those sessions, and includes many of the band’s hits including “when i come around”, “basket case”, “brain stew/jaded” and “minority”.

GO GO GO!! BBC Sessions (featuring songs recorded between ’94-01) is out now https://t.co/oTzkxK1Lds pic.twitter.com/FIdcbz8e6V

— Green Day (@GreenDay) December 10, 2021

There has also been a new line of merch released to celebrate the 30^th birthday of their sophomore LP Kerplunk. See the store here, although if you’re after anything more exciting than a t-shirt with the old cover on the front, and a reissue of the CD… I wouldn’t bother.

The band are also STILL embarking on their massive “Hella Mega Tour” with pop-punk neighbours Fall Out Boy, and the ever tongue and cheek Weezer. With the UK dates still yet to come you can find information on dates here. See below the remaining European dates for the tour beginning next summer:

19/06/2022 – Ernst-Happel Stadion – Vienna – Austria
21/06 – Antwerps Sportpaleis – Antwerp – Belgium
22/06 – Stadspark – Groningen – Netherlands
24/06 – London Stadium – London – UK
25/06 – John Smith’s Stadium – Huddersfield – UK
27/06 – Venue TBA – Dublin – Ireland
29/06 – Bellahouston Park – Glasgow – UK
02/07 – La Defense Arena – Paris – France

US dates haven’t been changed and they still go ahead for this summer. The UK and EU tour has been pushed to 2022. The statement shared on Twitter says: “Europe + UK – this past year has been chaotic to say the very least, and while we hoped we’d be able to make the Hella Mega Tour a reality for you this summer, COVID had other plans. With that being said, your shows will now be happening in 2022. Your tickets are good for the new dates, so make sure you hold onto them!”.

An update on Hella Mega Europe/UK – new dates at https://t.co/SgfTswSC50 pic.twitter.com/uADsgEuCkv

— Hella Mega (@HellaMegaTour) April 28, 2021

Australia and New Zealand dates have also been cancelled for this November. An update on social media says: “Australia and New Zealand, we’re beyond bummed to announce that the upcoming Hella Mega dates in November have been cancelled. We kept trying to put this piece of the puzzle together, but unfortunately it’s just not possible due to the uncertainty of the government Covid-19 travel restrictions, mass gatherings and most importantly for the safety of our fans, crew and staff”. 

Some fans replied on Twitter with serious concerns regarding US tour going ahead : “I want to see this concert more than anything. I have tickets to multiple shows. But seriously. Just cancel. It’s a mess. Try again in couple years. There is no way you’re getting all these people in a stadium anytime soon”. Others added: “pls consider postponing the us dates too! even being vaccinated i don’t feel safe in a stadium (and i’m sure others feel that way too). i still want to see y’all and not have to get a refund or sell my tickets, but can we pls wait until it’s for sure safe for everyone”.

See new dates for the UK and Europe Hella Mega Tour below. For those who have not purchased the tickets yet, head over here.

19/06/2022 – Ernst-Happel Stadion – Vienna – Austria
21/06 – Antwerps Sportpaleis – Antwerp – Belgium
22/06 – Stadspark – Groningen – Netherlands
24/06 – London Stadium – London – UK
25/06 – John Smith’s Stadium – Huddersfield – UK
27/06 – Venue TBA – Dublin – Ireland
29/06 – Bellahouston Park – Glasgow – UK
02/07 – La Defense Arena – Paris – France

The performance comes in direct response to Rivers Cuomo and co.’s rendition of Toto’sall-time classic ‘Africa’, which went viral back in May amid a fan campaign to get the track to top charts the world over, after a prolonged period of Weezer teasing and trolling their fans, before eventually releasing the cover.

Toto’s ‘Hash Pipe’ cover was recorded at a gig in Vancouver, with the band confirming that a studio-recorded version is in the works. Singer/guitarist Steve Lukather, and keyboardist Steve Porcaro discussed the release on Los Angeles’ KROQ radio station on July 29, and revealed that initially they had wanted to cover ‘Beverley Hills’ rather than ‘Hash Pipe’.

If you missed my chat with @stevelukather and Steve Porcaro from #toto, listen why and how they chose @Weezer's "Hash Pipe" to cover. I played it on @KROQ Friday, it's officially available Aug 10th. #TotocoversWeezer @toto99com https://t.co/HH4CjEqI0D

— Ted Stryker (@TedStryker) July 29, 2018

“I thought ‘Hash Pipe’ had a better melody,” Lukather said. “I love the message, you know what I mean?… And we wanted to do it justice.

“We wanted to do our thing to it, but still pay respect to it. And we added a couple of our kitschy little things to it, which I hope that they laugh [at]. We wish we could be in the room when they hear it.”

The pair also discussed Weezer’s cover of ‘Africa’ and gave it a “B++”. The band, they said, “kicked ass on it.”

Lukather added: “Our music has such little nuance. We spent so much meticulous time.

“These guys stood this shit up in an afternoon.”

KROQ debuted Toto’s studio-recorded cover after the interview but the cover will not be officially available until this week.

Stereogum reports that Florida-based station 104.3 The Shark accidentally revealed both the new project’s title, and it’s reported release date. The now-deleted news was leaked as part of a competition announcement for a meet-and-greet with the band at the station’s own upcoming music festival.

The leak detailed that Weezer’s new album will be called Pacific Daydream, and is due for release on October 27.

Fans of the band are unlikely to care about the leak, and will simple be excited about the band’s second album in as many years, with Rivers Cuomo and co. having released (yet another) self-titled album last year, which fans have dubbed The White Album, after the colour of the background to the album, as has been the case with many of Weezer’s most popular albums down the years.

https://twitter.com/Weezer/status/897513415375245313

The band have always planned to release a new single tomorrow, however, and ‘Mexican Fender’ will follow March’s ‘Feels Like Summer’, and the band posted a teaser for the new song earlier today.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=efPWrIvzGgc

Weezer are set to play a selection of huge UK dates later this year too, with the five date tour running from October 23-28. Tickets are on sale now.

23/10/17-Academy- Leeds
24/10/- O2 Academy- Glasgow
25/10-  O2 Apollo- Manchester
27/10-  O2 Academy- Birmingham
28/10-SSE Arena, Wembley- London

Weezer are of course most famous for their work in the 90s, with hit songs such as ‘Say It Ain’t So’ and ‘Buddy Holly’. However their most recent album, ‘Everything Will Be Alright in the End’ (which was released in 2014) was released to widespread positive reviews and was in fact their most critically acclaimed album since their 1996 release ‘Pinkerton’.

The good news for Weezer fans continues as well, not only are Weezer releasing a new album sooner rather than later; they are also visiting the UK for two separate tour dates!

We're heading to the UK in April! Tickets go on sale at 9am Fri January 22nd. Get yours here https://t.co/IEcD8L3ybi pic.twitter.com/mB8ZIFrLbc

— weezer (@Weezer) January 15, 2016

For further information on tickets and dates see here. List of dates below:

3/4 – Manchester, UK – Academy.

5/4 – London, UK – 02 Brixton Academy.

The track list for the album is as follows:

‘California Kids’
‘Wind in Our Sail’
‘Thank God for Girls’
‘(Girl We Got A) Good Thing’
‘Do You Wanna Get High?’
‘King of the World’
‘Summer Elaine and Drunk Dori’
‘L.A. Girlz’
‘Jacked Up’
‘Endless Bummer’

Enjoy some classic Weezer with ‘Say It Ain’t So’ below:

‘Do You Wanna Get High?’ has a particularly Pinkerton quality to it, sounding especially akin to  ‘Pink Triangle’, which for any Weezer fan is probably a good thing. The artwork is as crazy as the song title demands too, two 50’s style women entwined by their melting faces. You can check out the awesome artwork and relive the joy of Pinkerton esque Weezer below:

Weezer’s last album, Everything Will Be Alright, was released last year on Republic. Since then though the band has parted with its label, although Cuomo joked during his Beats 1 interview that they “are open to dinner dates with A&R representatives.” Whether the new songs will appear on a new album is still up in the air – with a few more tracks up their sleeve and no current label Cuomo stated “We don’t exactly know if it’s a record yet, but it’s a collection of songs!”