Live music is a force field all its own. The kind of deep bass that thrums up from the stadium floor, through your feet, and into your bones. Guitar riffs that you don’t just hear but feel in your chest. It’s an experience that can’t be replicated. And when seasoned bands like Weezer, The Flaming Lips, and Dinosaur Jr. are at the helm, the show is guaranteed to go cosmic. That’s exactly what happened on Friday night at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, where the three bands turned the venue into a launchpad for an unforgettable journey.

The night’s triple bill brought together decades of experience. Each band displayed not only a mastery of their craft but also an unmistakable respect for one another, with shared moments of camaraderie that made the night feel like a celebration of mutual admiration. For fans, it was a chance to witness artists who create an experience for fans.

Dinosaur Jr. kicked things off with a bang—literally. Launching into “Little Fury Things,” they made sure that no one would mistake their half-hour set as anything but an all-out assault. Standing in front of walls of their own battle-scarred Marshall amps, J Mascis and Lou Barlow unleashed a torrent of sound that practically peeled the paint off the venue’s walls, with the always solid, Murph keeping the groove together on the backend. The grungy, distorted guitar tones were like a storm front rolling in. The energy in the Dome spiked when the band played their cover of “Just Like Heaven.” The entire audience sang along, almost drowning out the band’s own instruments at times. Despite their brief set, Dinosaur Jr. left their mark on the venue, fans, and stage.

If Dinosaur Jr. cracked open the night, The Flaming Lips took it and hurled it into another dimension. The stage was bathed in black light as the band emerged, draped in neon and psychedelic hues. Wayne Coyne, with a streak of red paint dripping down his forehead, led the charge. Yelling at the crowd to cheer, ever louder. Nothing we did could satiate his desire.

The spectacle reached surreal heights during “The Yeah Yeah Yeah Song,” when the stage transformed into a living sculpture—a massive face made from inflatable eyes and lips, controlled by Coyne and two extras. Lasers pierced through the hazy air, accentuating the band’s cosmic vibe and immersing the audience in a psychedelic dream like state. From Coyne’s son up front, smiling wildly on the barrier, to the veteran Deadheads in the balcony, everyone was swept up in the wavey craze. The set closed with “Do You Realize??,” a fitting finale that left the crowd’s spirits orbiting high above as they waited for Weezer to take the stage.

The anticipation for Weezer had a countdown to launch. With the band’s “Voyage to the Blue Planet” tour, the whole night had been leading up to this. The set design made it clear: we were in for something out of this world. The stage was dominated by a massive spaceship surrounded by rocky, alien landscapes. As a five-minute countdown began on the screens, the tension built. Smoke billowed out like rocket exhaust, and by the time the timer hit zero, the entire venue was vibrating—whether from the sound system or the collective anticipation, it didn’t matter.

Dinosaur Jr. photo at the Intuit Dome by David Saxum

The spaceship “launched,” revealing the four band members standing stoically in their spacesuits. Sparks rained down from the rocket as they stepped off their platform to greet the crowd. From the first note, the Dome was ablaze with sound and energy. Kicking off the set with “Anonymous” and “Return to Ithaka,” they warmed the crowd up before diving into hits like “Pork and Beans” and “Beverly Hills,” the latter naturally sending the local crowd into a frenzy.

The night was a whirlwind of Weezer’s history, as if they were testing the waters of a newly discovered planet. Midway through the set, they paused to plant a giant Weezer flag on stage, then launched into “My Name Is Jonas,” which saw blue streamers raining down and the stadium lights shifting to a dazzling oceanic blue. The moment was magical.

Some of the night’s standout moments came from the band’s nods to their Los Angeles roots. During “Sweater Song,” Rivers Cuomo threw out references to Dodger Dogs, Animal Fries, and the San Gabriel Valley, earning a roar of approval. The stage lighting formed a glowing “W” that hovered over the crowd, a subtle touch that showed the band’s attention to detail, even if only the birds-eye view could fully appreciate it. Hearing the iconic riff of “Buddy Holly” live for the first time was a chilling experience.

One of the most touching aspects of the night was the diverse crowd. There were kids sporting Weezer T-shirts several sizes too big, teenagers who knew all the lyrics, parents who brought their own childhood nostalgia, and even grandparents who danced alongside them. The generational mix highlighted the band’s unique place in rock history. They’re not just another ’90s band that got big; they’re a band that has consistently bridged the gap between eras. It’s rare to see a band with such universal appeal, and the sight of Wayne Coyne’s young daughter enjoying the show from the pit just drove that point home.

As the Voyage to the Blue Planet tour wraps up its journey across North America, Weezer shows no signs of slowing down. The tour, which began in September, still has a few stops left—including Arizona in November—before heading to Japan after the New Year. Friday night’s sold-out show felt like a homecoming of sorts, marking 30 years since the release of the iconic “Blue Album.” For anyone lucky enough to catch this cosmic experience, it was an unforgettable voyage—one that proved live music isn’t just a concert, but an event that transcends time, gravity, and sometimes, even space itself.

Thank you, Weezer, Flaming Lips, and Dinosaur Jr., for reminding us that music is an adventure worth embarking on. With iconic tracks, mind-bending visuals, and performances that left us breathless, they turned the Intuit Dome into a gateway to another galaxy—and we were more than happy to come along for the ride.

Order tickets for Weezer HERE

The Flaming Lips photo at the Intuit Dome by David Saxum