Weezer has made a rather large update of sorts on their website confirming several things.
Firstly, the band will be playing the first night of the forthcoming Coachella Valley Music Festival in Indio, California, as previously announced. It'll be the band's first show since 2002, and though the band has no set dates booked otherwise, a touring itinerary for the U.S. and overseas is currently in the planning stages.
Secondly, the band has "97%" settled on a tracklisting for their fifth full-length album, which they've been working on with producer Rick Rubin. Rivers Cuomo, who just recently finished his semester of school, is finishing vocals on three songs, after which the material will be 99% ready for mixing.
Thirdly, the single "Beverly Hills" has a tentative date in late March to hit radio, while the still untitled album has a tentative release in May.
…Now, to business! Things are starting to solidify in the weezer world. First and foremost, the first weezer show since 2002 has been confirmed as of today! (not 2 days ago despite some 'jumping the gun' that went on) Yes, Weezer will indeed be playing on the first night of the 6th annual Coachella Festival, taking place out in the dusty desert in Indio, California on Saturday, April 30th. Tickets go on sale this Saturday, Feb. 5th - purchasing info here. (Note that weezer is NOT playing the second night, 5/1.)
Many many questions have been pouring in for the last few weeks about tourdates. The Coachella date is the only show that is official at this time. But more touring is indeed in the planning stages, for both the USA and overseas. We should have some more definite info within several weeks time. Remember, when in doubt: If you havent seen it confirmed here on weezer.com, then it has NOT truly been confirmed, regardless of what you may have seen on other sites or heard on the radio!
…As for the here and now: Rivers has in fact completed his semester of school and returned to Los Angeles late in January. The album 5 tracklist (that is, whats included, not the exact order) for album 5 has been 97% settled after some heavy listening sessions between the band and producer/mentor Rick Rubin. A few songs got swapped out and switched around, and there is high confidence in the final selection, which now includes a few songs from the late '03 recording sessions that were originally left behind in favor of the new sessions in July-October '04. Currently Rivers is working on finishing up his vocals on 3 songs, and then the stuff should be 99% ready for mixing. Meanwhile the artwork is underway, with the art director assembling cd art that may include exclusive photo selections from the recording sessions, fresh unseen imagery, and/or new photography taken expressly for the album art. More when its known.
…as for the single and album release dates: So far we only know that the first single "Beverly Hills" SHOULD be going to radio in late March (exact date unconfirmed as yet), while the 5th album (title TBA) SHOULD be out sometime in May. (everything still subject to change)