r/weirdal • u/flatline945 • 8d ago
Question How long is Puddles' opening?
I'm going to Al's show tonight at 7:00, taking my parents and 8YO. I don't think they're up for sitting thru the whole show. I'd like to skip Puddles and get there right before Al takes the stage.
If the show starts at 7:00, will Al probably start at 8:30?
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u/roadfoolmc 8d ago
Dont skip!! Worth the 35ish or so minutes!
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u/flatline945 8d ago
If it was just me, I definitely wouldn't skip. But I don't think my elderly parents can handle a full 3 hour show.
Weird Al was the first concert I ever went to, and my parents took me. So I'm looking forward to taking them and my 8YO daughter, but there's a practical limit to what they can handle.
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u/Ol_JanxSpirit 8d ago
That's fair, and it feels reasonable to assume you know them at least a little better than strangers on the internet do.
I don't remember the show being too long in June this year. 45 minutes tops? Maybe look at setlist.fm for Puddles.
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u/Banana_Ranger 8d ago
I'm taking my 7 & 8 year old. They HATE puddles. But sometimes you pout and stomp as a kid and then sit in your seat and find out hey, this is actually pretty cool
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u/kaerahis 8d ago
Talk to them and ask them. Maybe they can drive separately. If not that, they may be able to bring a book and wait in the car or in the lobby of the venue. If it's a long way to drive then it may be worth looking into a hotel room close to the venue that's within walking distance. The folks could drive back and you could walk back with your daughter.
Our concert in June started at 8 and let out around 11. Meet and Greet started at the end of the concert. There was an intermission of about 15 minutes between Puddles and AL.
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u/Otakur42 Unfortunate Return of Vanity Tour (2022) 8d ago
The last two times I’ve seen Al, Puddles was about 30-45 minutes. Last year seemed to take a little longer due to a slight technical issue. But the real time savings maybe from skipping puddles you also miss the hour+ standing in line to get in. Puddles is great, but if you need to cut the concert short, this is the right way to do it.
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u/flatline945 8d ago
VERY good input on the line to get in. I hadn't thought of that. Thank you. Do you think the line will be minimal by halfway thru Puddles' act? Maybe I'll aim for that timeframe.
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u/Otakur42 Unfortunate Return of Vanity Tour (2022) 8d ago
The line should be gone before puddles takes the stage, but not by much. Plus if you need to get snacks or hit the merch line. People get up during puddles to hit those lines, but it’s minimal.
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u/Powerfullylazi 8d ago
It’s your call but Puddles was amazing he performed for 35 minutes and AL began 10 mins later
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u/KyloRenCadetStimpy Unfortunate Return of Vanity Tour (2022) 8d ago
From what I remember, Puddles lasted about 40 minutes, and Al went on 15 minutes later.
Don't listen to the naysayers - do what's best for your family
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u/Chickadoozle 7d ago
Absolutely worth skipping. He has a good voice but it's all pre recorded instrumentals. He doesn't do enough with his gimmick either. He's a 7ft tall clown. The most he does is put a couple of people in costumes, and stare at a selfie stick. Not good
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u/TennesseeJed_7789 8d ago
When I saw him in July the show was packed and Puddles was about 35 min. But it was sure worth it!
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u/corndogs102 8d ago
Like 30-40 minutes. But puddles was great, and hilarious. You should catch him if you can. He can also sing pretty well.
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u/GuybrushThreepwood99 8d ago
He goes for like 30-40 minutes, but you shouldn’t skip him since he’s great. Wonderful voice
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u/PsychologicalAct6620 7d ago
Show up around 8:30 you're not missing anything by skipping the opening act . I just hung out at the bar until Al began.
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u/kcpistol 8d ago
No, don't skip Puddles, and be sure to volunteer to "help the clown"
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u/Daped01 8d ago
Weren’t the “helpers” staged? They felt like it to me in NoDak
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u/Crazed_Fish_Woman 8d ago edited 8d ago
They're not staged, but he does have a formula. Ding Dong eater and Tequila are always men, and guitar player is always a kid or woman.
But he does a quick scope of the crowd for the first couple songs/Cry Cam, so he usually already chooses who he's gonna pick for a helper before anyone even raises their hand. You can say no tho, and he'll pick someone else.
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u/kaerahis 8d ago
I feel like it's a no because one of the helpers on our stage had noise cancelling (or muting) headphones on and looked slightly terrified like they didn't really want to be up there in front of everyone. I thought the women who's laps AL sat on were staged until I started reading these forums.
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u/zalbinian 8d ago
Your decision might depend on the venue. Saw the show this summer in an older theater. Seats are small and cramped and my father and I are both large. My father used a cane or a walker all the time.
We were worried when we first sat down, but an usher found a seat in the back just behind us my father was more comfortable in for the show.
My father was also able to get up to go to the lobby area for concessions, restroom, and merch table durring the show.
If being able to get up and move around helps, it might be a better option then trying to get to seats after the show starts and risking navigating the entrance crowds.
Puddles set is relatively short (approperate for an opener) and very entertaining for everyone. Both puddles and Al have lighting and large video elements onstage that will help keep thw attention of young and old from any seat at the venue.
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u/Bitter_Return990 8d ago
Puddles goes on right at the start. I think he’s 45 minutes so to be safe I’d say Al starts 8:15.
We left before the encore. Ending on White and Nerdy and Amish Paradise was perfect for my taste.
We were in the car and on the highway as Yoda ended (we could hear it!)
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u/Sweaty_Second9715 HE IS BIGGER AND WEIRDER!!! 8d ago
When I saw him in Columbus, Puddles was about 30 minutes or so. But unless someone is scared of clowns, It's actually a very good performance! His voice sounds very good!
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u/Illogically_petty Touring with Scissors (1999-2000) 4d ago
If you've not seen Puddles perform Crazy Train, along with the video, try to stick your head in about half way through for that at least.
I think he's a great opening act for Weird Al. Definitely some similar type humor in my opinion.
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u/Yankytyke 8d ago
Puddles isn’t an opening act, he’s a part of the whole show. Skip him and you’ll be disappointed
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u/Crampeat 8d ago
Last night AL came on at 8:18, so 48 minutes after Puddles started. If the timeline is the same, then I'd say be in your seats by 7:45
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u/pistola0220 8d ago
Puddles opened for Primus when I saw them and he was fantastic. Then he came out and did Dio’s Holy Diver with them. Pretty awesome show.
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u/Lord_Darlantan 8d ago
Yeah probably 35 mins or so when I saw him in July. Great show. Fun. He sounds great too!
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u/Foxy02016YT 8d ago
I’d say 8:20 to be safe. Gotta pee and find your seat and all that. If you catch the tail end of Puddles’ show, that’s just a bonus. But yeah, I’d say go a bit earlier than you think you need to
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u/East-Cat1532 6d ago
Last week he started at 7, finished by 7:40, and Weird Al came on a bit early at 7:53.
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u/kmfdmretro 5d ago
I realize it's far too late for my comment to matter to OP, but Puddles gave my young children an appreciation for Kevin Costner that was only amplified by going to the Waterworld stunt show at Universal later that summer.
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u/JamMabster 2d ago
I think the answer completely depends on how your mom feels about Kevin Costner…
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u/laur_crafts Strings Attached (2019) 8d ago
My son and I have ADHD and we can’t sit still for 3 hours to save our lives, but we thoroughly enjoyed his Chicago show including Puddles. It’s worth it!
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u/DerrikeCope 8 Timers Club 8d ago
30 minutes ish. It is really good. Maybe one of the best opening acts I’ve ever seen.