This was only my second year at PAX, but I was just thinking about it and I feel like PAX and Weird Al were just meant to go together on some level. What are the possibilities of adding Weird Al to the concert lineup and would it work out?
The problem with having Weird Al is that many people will be buying a pass just to see him and won't bother with the rest of Pax. I don't want non-nerds sullying my gamer experience.
The problem with having Weird Al is that many people will be buying a pass just to see him and won't bother with the rest of Pax. I don't want non-nerds sullying my gamer experience.
Yeah, seriously. Then the lines might get even longer, and it'd be more crowded, and... bleh.
I'd rather see Abney Park. (Hey, if Cthuloid music fits, steampunk fits.)
And Weird Al was at the fair a few days before, anyhow.
And a friend who went said it was an incredible show, full of awesome geektitudidness. I think it would be great to have Weird Al there, but I acknowledge the concern of pulling in too many "non-traditional" attendees.
After seeing Weird Al in the "Nerdcore Rising" doc, I'd say he'd be a great fit with PAX; imagine him rapping with MC Frontalot!
At the same time, I'd be afraid that the concert crowd would be hella-packed with Weird Al Heads (or whatever you call his fans) at the expense of regular PAXians.
Mystral721 on
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Although Weird Al puts on a great show (I've seen him 5 times) I don't think it's a perfect fit for PAX. As a note, considering the size of the venue I don't think having him would affect ticket sales/concert crowdedness. I of course would watch him again if I had the chance.
taumesonPAX PC Room ManagerMinnesota?Registered Userregular
edited September 2008
Weird Al would probably want to get paid -- the fine folks who perform for you Friday and Saturday evening are comped (airfare, hotel, etc.), but not paid. So, having Weird Al here probably won't happen.
In my opinion Weird Al is great but Flight of the Conchords would be a million times greater...and i think they maybe a bit more up for something like that than weird al...they seem the gamer type...they would probably be cheaper too...they may even be more available since i think weird al still does tons of shows
The problem with having Weird Al is that many people will be buying a pass just to see him and won't bother with the rest of Pax. I don't want non-nerds sullying my gamer experience.
I think that already happens with shit like the Halo tournament (read: MLG-tards). I don't know if that's really a PROBLEM per se. I might eat my words after it happens, but I think Weird Al is relevant to geek culture and would love to see him there.
The problem with having Weird Al is that many people will be buying a pass just to see him and won't bother with the rest of Pax. I don't want non-nerds sullying my gamer experience.
Non Nerds? Dude, have you ever listened to his songs?
I saw Weird Al on August first here in Calgary. The man had a group of Stormtroopers, Vader, and Jango Fett on stage for one of his songs.
I love Weird Al. He goes through piles of costume changes, puts up videos any time he needs to be offstage, and does big medleys of his older stuff for longtime fans. He works his ass off and delivers a hell of a show. His live performance of Albuquerque last year was freaking epic.
"You got any Halle Berry donuts?"
Al parodies everything. He's certainly done enough geeky songs to qualify (White and Nerdy, All About the Pentiums, Yoda, Virus Alert, a song in the old Transformers movie (Dare to Be Stupid)). And many of us older geeks associate him with gaming because he was one of those "uncool" things we enjoyed (just like video games and RPGs). But the majority of his songs are about whatever piece of pop culture he thinks will make for a good song, so I can see why some people wouldn't consider him super geeky.
My vote is to pick whoever will draw the largest crowds away from console freeplay.
While it would be awesome to have him, I think it would draw a lot of people who have never even heard of PA. In 2007, there was a presence of awesomeness generated by all the good will and gamer spirit. This year, there were a bunch of jerks and n00bs that took more than they gave. I do wish for PAX to be a celebration of gaming, but not the E3 replacement it seems to be becoming. It'd be nice to know everyone there at least has read some PA....
princeven on
There is nothing more to the world than the apparent. Unless you believe...
I think having Weird Al would be endless awesomeness, but the whole "drawing a crowd just for him" thing seems to be a legitimate concern.
I love my JoCo too, but Weird Al has had a far bigger reputation for many, many years - he's just insanely famous....
We should get him somehow without advertising it to everyone else.
Sneak him in all ninja style....
Even funnier: Don't even tell any of the PAXers that he's coming.
Have that MC whatever guy listed as the first act of friday night, then tell people that Al roshambo'd him for the first slot and just send him out on stage....
That'd be hilarious
Oh noes, people not hardcore nerds are going to be at PAX! Except that's already been happening. I think most Weird Al fans are -already there-, and most people that go to his concerts would rather go to a full on Weird Al Concert than a quick set.
I mean, I seem to remember Khoo saying that a shitton of PAX passes sold are from people in the Seattle area just checking it out just because.
Weird Al would be awesome but I have to agree with some of the others. Having a big names like Weird Al at PAX would draw people who don't care about PAX and are there just to see him.
They'd have to come up with a new way of letting people to attend the concerts, like registering for a wristband when you pre-register or something. The current method of get there early and grab a wristband would mean a lot of people who came to PAX for PAX don't get in to the concert.
Randomfool on
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GrathI'm a much happier person these daysRegistered User, ClubPAregular
edited September 2008
I'm pretty sure anyone thats local to pax that would want to go see a weird al concert is already at pax. I don't see it pulling other people that aren't already interested in pax.
The problem with having Weird Al is that many people will be buying a pass just to see him and won't bother with the rest of Pax. I don't want non-nerds sullying my gamer experience.
I think that already happens with shit like the Halo tournament (read: MLG-tards). I don't know if that's really a PROBLEM per se. I might eat my words after it happens, but I think Weird Al is relevant to geek culture and would love to see him there.
I watched them get beat by a random group of folks, was awesome.
Also, I endorse Wierd Al.
bigwah on
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YES YES! he is He's soo great
And Weird Al was at the fair a few days before, anyhow.
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And a friend who went said it was an incredible show, full of awesome geektitudidness. I think it would be great to have Weird Al there, but I acknowledge the concern of pulling in too many "non-traditional" attendees.
You sir, do not know of what you speak.
Weird Al would be geek awesomeness. I've seen him live before and he's really good to watch.
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At the same time, I'd be afraid that the concert crowd would be hella-packed with Weird Al Heads (or whatever you call his fans) at the expense of regular PAXians.
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what do you guys think?
[X] Train tix
[_] Finish Vivi costume
[X] Anxiously wait
I think that already happens with shit like the Halo tournament (read: MLG-tards). I don't know if that's really a PROBLEM per se. I might eat my words after it happens, but I think Weird Al is relevant to geek culture and would love to see him there.
Non Nerds? Dude, have you ever listened to his songs?
I saw Weird Al on August first here in Calgary. The man had a group of Stormtroopers, Vader, and Jango Fett on stage for one of his songs.
"You got any Halle Berry donuts?"
Al parodies everything. He's certainly done enough geeky songs to qualify (White and Nerdy, All About the Pentiums, Yoda, Virus Alert, a song in the old Transformers movie (Dare to Be Stupid)). And many of us older geeks associate him with gaming because he was one of those "uncool" things we enjoyed (just like video games and RPGs). But the majority of his songs are about whatever piece of pop culture he thinks will make for a good song, so I can see why some people wouldn't consider him super geeky.
My vote is to pick whoever will draw the largest crowds away from console freeplay.
I love my JoCo too, but Weird Al has had a far bigger reputation for many, many years - he's just insanely famous....
We should get him somehow without advertising it to everyone else.
Sneak him in all ninja style....
Even funnier: Don't even tell any of the PAXers that he's coming.
Have that MC whatever guy listed as the first act of friday night, then tell people that Al roshambo'd him for the first slot and just send him out on stage....
That'd be hilarious
Keep him to yourselves?
Oh noes, people not hardcore nerds are going to be at PAX! Except that's already been happening. I think most Weird Al fans are -already there-, and most people that go to his concerts would rather go to a full on Weird Al Concert than a quick set.
I mean, I seem to remember Khoo saying that a shitton of PAX passes sold are from people in the Seattle area just checking it out just because.
They'd have to come up with a new way of letting people to attend the concerts, like registering for a wristband when you pre-register or something. The current method of get there early and grab a wristband would mean a lot of people who came to PAX for PAX don't get in to the concert.
He could show up and Rick Roll everyone.
[X] Train tix
[_] Finish Vivi costume
[X] Anxiously wait
Yes, they are awesome, but better than Weird Al? I DON'T THINK SO.
I don't understand you kids these days.
[X] Train tix
[_] Finish Vivi costume
[X] Anxiously wait
Agreed.
Let's do that.
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I watched them get beat by a random group of folks, was awesome.
Also, I endorse Wierd Al.
"Was cursing, in broken english at his team, and at our team. made fun of dead family members and mentioned he had sex with a dog."
"Hope he dies tbh but a ban would do."
Wierd Al is about as relevant to geek culture as an issue of Mad Magazine. His humor is just as bad, too.
John Coulton is his more talented, more relevant, less stupid, adult equivalent. Also, he's actually funny.
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