# Mandatory World Tour

The Mandatory World Tour (also known as the Return of the Mandatory World Tour) is the 12th concert tour by American recording artist, "Weird Al" Yankovic. Launched in 2015, the tour supports the singer's 14th studio album, Mandatory Fun (2014). Running for two years, the tour played nearly 200 shows in North America, Europe and Australasia.

## Background

Yankovic announced the tour in January 2015 via his Twitter account. The tweet featured a 30-second ad, styled as a propaganda film, calling the show, "the greatest musical spectacle ever seen". The tour predominately played in the United States, with a handful of dates in Canada, Europe, Australia and New Zealand. Along with standalone gigs, Yankovic also played music festivals, state and county fairs. At the end of 2015, the tour placed 122nd on Pollstar's annual year end list, earning 8.2 million. In 2016, the singer added additional shows marked as the "Return of the Mandatory World Tour". Yankovic remarked many fans were upset that he didn't play certain territories, stating: "They forgot the show was mandatory". The shows in 2016 placed 159th on Pollstar's annual year end list, making $7.1 million, bringing the total earned to $15.3 million.

## Critical reception

Along with its commercial success, the tour received praise from critics and spectators of the concerts.
In Cary, David Menconi (The News & Observer) stated Yankovic makes being funny look easy. He says: "People still turn out for Yankovic because he's incredibly skilled at crafting cultural time-capsules starring himself. He's also about the last word in appealing adolescent silliness; my 16-year-old son came along, and he loved it."
Ashley Belanger (Orlando Weekly) writes Yankovic was a great showman despite the humorous material. For the show in Orlando, she wrote: "'Weird Al' was a live wire. I found my eyes flitting around to follow his every move, like I was a freaking cat watching a laser pointer. Not only did he do costume changes nearly every song, but his whole band played along by switching get-ups too, with enough change-ups to wonder if backstage looked like a teen girl's bedroom with cast-off garments covering every surface."
The show in London received three out of five stars. Brian Logan (The Guardian) writes: "The experience is more akin to watching a tribute band, where the homage being paid is tongue-in-cheek, if scarcely less affectionate, and the source material extends to every major pop song since the early 80s. Highlights include a swing version of Yankovic's breakout Michael Jackson pastiche Eat It, and his Star Wars/Don McLean mashup The Saga Begins, replete with stormtroopers. Throughout, Yankovic's voice is strong, whether he's aping Kurt Cobain or crooning barbershop with his excellent band. The personal touch is lacking, but there's no denying, Weird Al gives good show."
Cory Garcia (Houston Press) writes the show was given a different vibe in the Brown Theatre. He says: "The surroundings made the show feel bigger physically and on a metaphorical level. It feels weird to label what Weird Al does live as a concert because it feels much more than that. Over his career, Weird Al Yankovic has earned his place in fancy theater venues; yes, his art may be writing food-centric parodies of pop songs, but he is the Shakespeare of that art. So, maybe I've had it backward before; it's not that Al is worthy of playing the Wortham; it's that the Wortham is worthy of hosting Al."
Danny Gallagher (Dallas Observer) stated the show at the Winspear Opera House was a repeat success of the show in October 2015. He goes on to say: "The focus of his show is on the music, even if he's performing purely for laughs. It's a tightly constructed and executed set list that not only included multiple instruments and heavy multimedia interaction but also wardrobe changes and even some special prosthetic makeup."

## Setlist

The following setlist was obtained from the concert held on May 15, 2015, at the PH Showroom in Las Vegas, Nevada. It does not represent all concerts for the duration of the tour.
* "Tacky"
* "Lame Claim to Fame"
* "NOW That's What I Call Polka!"
* "Perform This Way"
* "Dare To Be Stupid"
* "Fat"
* "First World Problems"
* "Foil"
* "Smells Like Nirvana"
* "Party In The CIA" / "It's All About The Pentiums" / "Handy" / "Bedrock Anthem" / "Another One Rides the Bus" / "Ode to a Superhero" / "Gump" / "Inactive" / "eBay" / "Canadian Idiot"
* "Wanna B Ur Lovr"
* "Eat It" / "I Lost on Jeopardy" / "I Love Rocky Road" / "Like a Surgeon"
* "White & Nerdy"
* "Word Crimes"
* "Amish Paradise"

### Encore

* "The Saga Begins"
* "Yoda"

## Tour dates

| Date | City | Country | Venue |
| North America ||||
| May 12, 2015 | Las Vegas | United States | PH Showroom |
| May 13, 2015 | Las Vegas | United States | PH Showroom |
| May 14, 2015 | Las Vegas | United States | PH Showroom |
| May 15, 2015 | Las Vegas | United States | PH Showroom |
| May 16, 2015 | Las Vegas | United States | PH Showroom |
| May 19, 2015 | Tulsa | United States | Brady Theater |
| May 20, 2015 | Oklahoma City | United States | Hudson Performance Hall |
| May 22, 2015 | Biloxi | United States | Hard Rock Live |
| May 23, 2015 | Nashville | United States | Ryman Auditorium |
| May 24, 2015 | Tunica Resorts | United States | Bluesville Showcase Nightclub |
| May 26, 2015 | Bloomington | United States | Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts |
| May 28, 2015 | Indianapolis | United States | Murat Theatre |
| May 29, 2015 | Mount Pleasant | United States | The Entertainment Hall |
| May 30, 2015 | Cleveland | United States | Jacobs Pavilion |
| May 31, 2015 | Greensburg | United States | Palace Theatre |
| June 2, 2015 | Boston | United States | Wilbur Theatre |
| June 3, 2015 | Boston | United States | Wilbur Theatre |
| June 4, 2015 | Concord | United States | Chubb Theatre |
| June 6, 2015 | Ledyard | United States | Fox Theater |
| June 7, 2015 | New York City | United States | Randall's Island |
| June 8, 2015 | Lancaster | United States | American Music Theatre |
| June 11, 2015 | Richmond | United States | Carpenter Theater |
| June 12, 2015 | Wolf Trap | United States | Filene Center |
| June 13, 2015 | Baltimore | United States | Pier Six Pavilion |
| June 14, 2015 | Roanoke | United States | Berglund Performing Arts Theater |
| June 16, 2015 | Bethlehem | United States | Sands Bethlehem Event Center |
| June 18, 2015 | Cary | United States | Koka Booth Amphitheatre |
| June 19, 2015 | Charlotte | United States | Ovens Auditorium |
| June 20, 2015 | Atlanta | United States | Delta Classic Chastain Park Amphitheater |
| June 21, 2015 | Kettering | United States | Fraze Pavilion |
| June 23, 2015 | Newark | United States | Midland Theatre, Newark, Ohio |
| June 24, 2015 | Louisville | United States | Palace Theatre |
| June 26, 2015 | Windsor | Canada | The Colosseum at Caesars Windsor |
| June 27, 2015 | Chicago | United States | Chicago Theatre |
| June 28, 2015 | St. Louis | United States | Peabody Opera House |
| June 30, 2015 | Kansas City | United States | Arvest Bank Theatre |
| July 1, 2015 | Wichita | United States | Orpheum Theatre |
| July 2, 2015 | Council Bluff | United States | Stir Concert Cove |
| July 3, 2015 | Prior Lake | United States | Mystic Showroom |
| July 4, 2015 | Milwaukee | United States | BMO Harris Pavilion |
| July 5, 2015 | Traverse City | United States | Pepsi Bay Side Music Stage |
| July 7, 2015 | Bowling Green | United States | Southern Kentucky Performing Arts Center |
| July 8, 2015 | Greenville | United States | Peace Concert Hall |
| July 10, 2015 | Erie | United States | Warner Theatre |
| July 11, 2015 | Albany | United States | Palace Theatre |
| July 12, 2015 | Burlington | United States | Flynn Center for the Performing Arts |
| July 14, 2015 | Verona | United States | Turning Stone Showroom |
| July 15, 2015 | Buffalo | United States | Center for the Arts |
| July 17, 2015 | Hamilton | Canada | Hamilton Place Theatre |
| July 18, 2015 | Rama | Canada | Casino Rama Entertainment Centre |
| July 19, 2015 | Ottawa | Canada | LeBreton Flats Park |
| July 20, 2015 | London | Canada | Centennial Hall |
| July 21, 2015 | Montreal | Canada | Place des Festivals |
| July 23, 2015 | Halifax | Canada | Schooner Showroom |
| July 24, 2015 | Halifax | Canada | Schooner Showroom |
| July 25, 2015 | Moncton | Canada | The Centre |
| July 26, 2015 | Portland | United States | Maine State Pier |
| July 28, 2015 | Red Bank | United States | Count Basie Theatre |
| July 30, 2015 | Port Chester | United States | Capitol Theatre |
| July 31, 2015 | Philadelphia | United States | Mann Center for the Performing Arts |
| August 1, 2015 | Huntington | United States | Paramount Theatre |
| August 2, 2015 | Morristown | United States | Mayo Performing Arts Center |
| August 4, 2015 | New Bedford | United States | Zeiterion Performing Arts Center |
| August 5, 2015 | Williamsport | United States | Community Arts Center |
| August 7, 2015 | Knoxville | United States | Tennessee Theatre |
| August 8, 2015 | Newport News | United States | Diamonstein Concert Hall |
| August 9, 2015 | North Charleston | United States | North Charleston Performing Arts Center |
| August 11, 2015 | Orlando | United States | Hard Rock Live |
| August 13, 2015 | Clearwater | United States | Ruth Eckerd Hall |
| August 14, 2015 | Melbourne | United States | King Center for the Performing Arts |
| August 15, 2015 | Fort Lauderdale | United States | Au-Rene Theater |
| August 16, 2015 | Jacksonville | United States | Florida Theatre |
| August 18, 2015 | Houston | United States | Bayou Music Center |
| August 19, 2015 | San Antonio | United States | Majestic Theatre |
| August 20, 2015 | Austin | United States | Moody Theater |
| August 21, 2015 | Grand Prairie | United States | Verizon Theatre at Grand Prairie |
| August 23, 2015 | Denver | United States | Paramount Theatre |
| August 24, 2015 | Sandy | United States | Sandy Amphitheater |
| August 26, 2015 | Tucson | United States | Anselmo Valencia Tori Amphitheater |
| August 28, 2015 | Del Mar | United States | Del Mar racetrack |
| August 29, 2015 | San Francisco | United States | SF Masonic Auditorium |
| August 30, 2015 | Folsom | United States | Harris Center |
| August 31, 2015 | Folsom | United States | Harris Center |
| September 1, 2015 | Arcata | United States | Van Duzer Theatre |
| September 2, 2015 | Jacksonville | United States | Britt Pavilion |
| September 4, 2015 | Bend | United States | Les Schwab Amphitheater |
| September 5, 2015 | Portland | United States | Oregon Zoo Amphitheater |
| September 6, 2015 | Portland | United States | Oregon Zoo Amphitheater |
| September 8, 2015 | Vancouver | Canada | Queen Elizabeth Theatre |
| September 9, 2015 | Penticton | Canada | South Okanagan Events Centre |
| September 11, 2015 | Edmonton | Canada | Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium |
| September 12, 2015 | Calgary | Canada | Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium |
| September 13, 2015 | Airway Heights | United States | Pend Oreille Pavilion |
| September 14, 2015 | Puyallup | United States | WSF Events Center Grandstand |
| September 16, 2015 | Modesto | United States | Rogers Theater |
| September 18, 2015 | Laughlin | United States | Rio Vista Outdoor Amphitheater |
| September 19, 2015 | Los Angeles | United States | Greek Theatre |
| Europe ||||
| September 24, 2015 | Stockholm | Sweden | Stora Scen |
| September 25, 2015 | Oslo | Norway | Sentrum Scene |
| September 26, 2015 | Trondheim | Norway | Cosmos |
| September 28, 2015 | Copenhagen | Denmark | Vega, Copenhagen |
| September 30, 2015 | Amsterdam | Netherlands | Melkweg |
| October 1, 2015 | Brussels | Belgium | Ancienne Belgique |
| October 3, 2015 | Solihull | England | National Exhibition Centre |
| October 4, 2015 | London | England | Eventim Apollo |
| October 6, 2015 | Dublin | Ireland | Vicar Street |
| October 6, 2015 | Belfast | Northern Ireland | Limelight |
| October 6, 2015 | Glasgow | Scotland | O$_2$ ABC |
| Australasia ||||
| December 28, 2015 | Waurn Ponds | Australia | Mt Duneed Estate |
| December 31, 2015 | Byron Bay | Australia | North Byron Parklands |
| January 2, 2016 | Sydney | Australia | Enmore Theatre |
| January 3, 2016 | Melbourne | Australia | Palais Theatre |
| January 6, 2016 | Christchurch | New Zealand | Isaac Theatre Royal |
| January 8, 2016 | Adelaide | Australia | Thebarton Theatre |
| North America ||||
| June 3, 2016 | St. Petersburg | United States | Mahaffey Theater |
| June 4, 2016 | West Palm Beach | United States | Dreyfoos Hall |
| June 5, 2016 | Fort Myers | United States | Mann Performing Arts Center |
| June 7, 2016 | Mobile | United States | Saenger Theatre |
| June 9, 2016 | Lakeland | United States | Youkey Theatre |
| June 10, 2016 | Miami | United States | Ziff Ballet Opera House |
| June 11, 2016 | St. Augustine | United States | St. Augustine Amphitheatre |
| June 12, 2016 | Birmingham | United States | BJCC Concert Hall |
| June 15, 2016 | Louisville | United States | Iroquois Amphitheater |
| June 16, 2016 | Nashville | United States | Grand Ole Opry House |
| June 17, 2016 | Huntsville | United States | Smith Concert Hall |
| June 18, 2016 | Greensboro | United States | White Oak Amphitheatre |
| June 19, 2016 | Atlanta | United States | Fox Theatre |
| June 21, 2016 | Portsmouth | United States | nTelos Pavilion |
| June 22, 2016 | Baltimore | United States | Hippodrome Theatre |
| June 24, 2016 | Akron | United States | Akron Civic Theatre |
| June 25, 2016 | Bay City | United States | Veterans Memorial Park |
| June 26, 2016 | Fort Wayne | United States | Foellinger Theatre |
| June 28, 2016 | Evansville | United States | Victory Theatre |
| June 28, 2016 | Milwaukee | United States | Uline Warehouse |
| July 1, 2016 | Toledo | United States | Toledo Zoo Amphitheater |
| July 2, 2016 | Aurora | United States | Dunham Pavilion |
| July 3, 2016 | Merrillville | United States | Star Plaza Theatre |
| July 6, 2016 | Columbus | United States | Palace Theatre |
| July 7, 2016 | Indianapolis | United States | Farmer's Bureau Insurance Lawn |
| July 8, 2016 | Cincinnati | United States | PNC Pavilion |
| July 9, 2016 | Chattanooga | United States | Tivoli Theatre |
| July 10, 2016 | Southaven | United States | Snowden Grove Amphitheater |
| July 12, 2016 | Austin | United States | Bass Concert Hall |
| July 14, 2016 | Houston | United States | Brown Theatre |
| July 15, 2016 | Bilox | United States | Hard Rock Live |
| July 16, 2016 | Dallas | United States | Winspear Opera House |
| July 17, 2016 | Enid | United States | Central National Bank Center |
| July 19, 2016 | El Paso | United States | Kidd Performance Hall |
| July 21, 2016 | San Diego | United States | CalCoast Credit Union Open Air Theatre |
| July 22, 2016 | Los Angeles | United States | Hollywood Bowl |
| July 23, 2016 | Los Angeles | United States | Hollywood Bowl |
| July 24, 2016 | San Jose | United States | City National Civic |
| July 26, 2016 | Seattle | United States | North Meadow |
| July 27, 2016 | Seattle | United States | North Meadow |
| July 28, 2016 | Troutdale | United States | McMenamins Edgefield Amphitheater |
| July 29, 2016 | Eugene | United States | Cuthbert Amphitheater |
| July 30, 2016 | Rohnert Park | United States | Green Music Center |
| August 2, 2016 | Santa Barbara | United States | Arlington Theater |
| August 3, 2016 | Phoenix | United States | Comerica Theatre |
| August 5, 2016 | Salt Lake City | United States | Red Butte Garden Amphitheatre |
| August 6, 2016 | Littleton | United States | Hudson Gardens & Event Center |
| August 7, 2016 | Kansas City | United States | Starlight Theatre |
| August 9, 2016 | Cedar Rapids | United States | McGrath Amphitheatre |
| August 10, 2016 | Lincoln | United States | Pinewood Bowl Theater |
| August 12, 2016 | Moorhead | United States | Bluestem Amphitheater |
| August 13, 2016 | Sturgis | United States | Buffalo Chip Campground |
| August 14, 2016 | Regina | Canada | Conexus Arts Centre |
| August 15, 2016 | Winnipeg | Canada | Burton Cummings Theatre |
| August 18, 2016 | Thunder Bay | Canada | Thunder Bay Community Auditorium |
| August 19, 2016 | Minneapolis | United States | State Theatre |
| August 20, 2016 | Appleton | United States | Thrivent Financial Hall |
| August 21, 2016 | Madison | United States | Overture Hall |
| August 23, 2016 | Rockford | United States | Coronado Theatre |
| August 24, 2016 | Paducah | United States | Carson Center |
| August 26, 2016 | Grand Rapids | United States | DeVos Performance Hall |
| August 27, 2016 | Sterling Heights | United States | Freedom Hill Amphitheater |
| August 28, 2016 | Huber Heights | United States | Rose Music Center |
| August 30, 2016 | Wilmington | United States | Playhouse Theatre |
| September 1, 2016 | Lowell | United States | Boarding House Park |
| September 2, 2016 | Gilford | United States | Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion |
| September 3, 2016 | Canandaigua | United States | CM Performing Arts Center |
| September 4, 2016 | Big Flats | United States | Budweiser Summer Stage |
| September 7, 2016 | Columbia | United States | Koger Center for the Arts |
| September 8, 2016 | Wilmington | United States | Wilson Center |
| September 9, 2016 | Durham | United States | Durham Performing Arts Center |
| September 10, 2016 | Asheville | United States | Wolfe Auditorium |
| September 11, 2016 | Vienna | United States | Filene Center |
| September 13, 2016 | Hershey | United States | Hershey Theatre |
| September 14, 2016 | Providence | United States | Providence Performing Arts Center |
| September 16, 2016 | Pittsburgh | United States | Benedum Center |
| September 17, 2016 | Schenectady | United States | Proctor's Theatre |
| September 18, 2016 | Waterbury | United States | Palace Theater |
| September 20, 2016 | Bethlehem | United States | Sands Bethlehem Event Center |
| September 22, 2016 | Charleston | United States | Clay Center |
| September 23, 2016 | Atlantic City | United States | Circus Maximus Theater |
| September 24, 2016 | New York City | United States | Radio City Music Hall |

### Festivals and other miscellaneous performances

    $^A$ This concert was a part of the "Governors Ball Music Festival"
    $^B$ This concert was a part of "Summerfest"
    $^C$ This concert was a part of the "National Cherry Festival"
    $^D$ This concert was a part of the "RBC Royal Bank Ottawa Bluesfest"
    $^E$ This concert was a part of "Just for Laughs"
    $^F$ This concert was a part of the "Machias Savings Bank Concert Series"
    $^G$ This concert was a part of the "Del Mar Summer Concert Series"
    $^H$ This concert was a part of the "Britt Music and Arts Festival"
    $^I$ This concert was a part of the "Columbia Bank Concert Series"
    $^J$ This concert was a part of the "Falls Music & Arts Festival"
    $^K$ This concert was a part of the "Bay City River Roar"
    $^L$ This concert was a part of "Zootunes"
    $^M$ This concert was a part of the "Red Butte Garden Outdoor Concert Series"
    $^N$ This concert was a part of the "Sturgis Motorcycle Rally"
    $^O$ This concert was a part of the "Lowell Summer Music Series"

### Cancellations and rescheduled shows

| September 11, 2015 | Enoch Cree Nation 135, Canada | The Venue at River Cree | Moved to the Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium in Edmonton, Canada |
| December 29, 2015 | Marion Bay, Australia | Falls Farm Festival Site | Cancelled. This concert was a part of the "Falls Music & Arts Festival" |
| January 5, 2016 | Auckland, New Zealand | Powerstation | Cancelled |
| January 10, 2016 | Busselton, Australia | Sir Stewart Bovell Park | Cancelled. This concert was a part of "Southbound" |

### Box office score data

| Venue | City | Tickets sold / available | Gross revenue |
| Ryman Auditorium | Nashville | 2,251 / 2,251 (100%) | $100,104 |
| Carpenter Theater | Richmond | 1,650 / 1,778 (93%) | $84,910 |
| Pier Six Pavilion | Baltimore | 3,804 / 4,140 (92%) | $157,480 |
| The Colosseum at Caesars Windsor | Windsor | 3,714 / 4,934 (75%) | $140,625 |
| Chicago Theatre | Chicago | 3,444 / 3,444 (100%) | $146,700 |
| Hamilton Place Theatre | Hamilton | 2,193 / 2,193 (100%) | $96,439 |
| Mann Center for the Performing Arts | Philadelphia | 3,618 / 4,426 (82%) | $150,076 |
| Paramount Theatre | Huntington | 1,013 / 1,013 (100%) | $74,238 |
| Ruth Eckerd Hall | Clearwater | 2,080 / 2,080 (100%) | $81,623 |
| Au-Rene Theater | Fort Lauderdale | 2,362 / 2,528 (93%) | $107,870 |
| Rio Vista Outdoor Amphitheater | Laughlin | 1,577 / 3,170 (50%) | $77,273 |
| Greek Theatre | Los Angeles | 5,280 / 5,836 (90%) | $285,805 |
| Eventim Apollo | London | 3,234 / 3,400 (95%) | $136,683 |
| Palais Theatre | Melbourne | 2,190 / 2,786 (79%) | $164,671 |
| Mann Performing Arts Center | Fort Myers | 1,102 / 1,781 (62%) | $54,990 |
| Ziff Ballet Opera House | Miami | 1,176 / 2,187 (54%) | $51,103 |
| St. Augustine Amphitheatre | St. Augustine | 2,259 / 2,800 (81%) | $90,235 |
| BJCC Concert Hall | Birmingham | 1,826 / 2,835 (64%) | $75,968 |
| Smith Concert Hall | Huntsville | 1,903 / 1,903 (100%) | $87,311 |
| Fox Theatre | Atlanta | 1,900 / 4,543 (42%) | $108,780 |
| McGrath Amphitheatre | Cedar Rapids | 2,090 / 3,472 (60%) | $104,450 |
| State Theatre | Minneapolis | 2,117 / 2,118 (100%) | $111,827 |
| Thrivent Financial Hall | Appleton | 1,970 / 2,004 (98%) | $105,433 |
| Overture Hall | Madison | 2,143 / 2,184 (98%) | $112,200 |
| Coronado Theatre | Rockford | 1,497 / 2,180 (69%) | $75,193 |
| Benedum Center | Pittsburgh | 2,741 / 2,823 (97%) | $118,153 |
| Radio City Music Hall | New York City | 5,740 / 5,740 (100%) | $338,675 |
| TOTAL | TOTAL | 66,874 / 80,549 (83%) | $3,238,815 |