‘Weird Al’ Just Reached a Historic Milestone in Boston That Nobody Saw Coming

Ariana. Olivia. And now, Al.

Boston got really weird this past weekend, as “Weird Al” Yankovic made his TD Garden debut and became the latest artist to sell out the building.

Considering his humble beginnings sending in parody songs to Dr. Demento (heard in those days on Boston's late, great WCOZ), it's hard to imagine the guy who recorded his first song in his campus bathroom at California Polytechnic State University in 1979 is filling arenas nearly 50 years later.

From Theater Stages to a Boston Arena Debut

Over his 40-plus-year career, “Weird Al” has filled larger and larger venues in Boston, ranging from The Orpheum to The Wilbur to The Wang Theater (now the Boch Center), but this past weekend was his first time performing an arena show in the Hub.

Of course, when your tour is called “Bigger & Weirder,” where else could you go but an almost 20,000-seat venue full of Close Personal Friends of Al?

Custom Gifts and The Mystery of Number 27

TD Garden wanted to memorialize the occasion by providing “Weird Al” with some special gifts, including a custom puppet made by artist Cody Russell, a concert banner similar to the championship ones that hang from the TD Garden rafters for NBA and NHL titles, and custom Bruins and Celtics jerseys.

TD Garden via Facebook

Those jerseys both featured “Yankovic” on the back along with the number “27,” which any “Weird Al” fan can tell you is a number of great significance to him and his songs, although it’s never quite been fully explained as to why.

TD Garden via Facebook

At age 66, “Weird Al” is still going strong, and although he hasn’t released a full album of new material since Mandatory Fun in 2014, he still puts out the occasional song, with his most recent being “Polkamania!” in 2024.

Could Gillette Stadium Be Next for "Weird Al"?

Perhaps the next time he comes around, he will have to make it even bigger and even weirder and play Gillette Stadium in Foxboro. And while we’re at it, “Weird Al” for the Super Bowl Halftime Show!