Weird Nightmare

Weird Nightmare (Alex Edkins of METZ) announces new album, Hoopla, out May 1st on Sub Pop, & shares new single 'Might See You There'. 2026 World tour announced.

On Friday, May 1st, Weird Nightmare will release Hoopla, the engaging and melodic second LP from former METZ frontman Alex Edkins.

Following the previously released single 'Forever Elsewhere', which international media outlets called “... an undeniably infectious power-pop anthem”, Weird Nightmare has shared an official video for their new song, 'Might See You There', which was directed by CC Mulligan. 

Every band worth its salt has a member who worked in a record store. In METZ, the fearless noise rock trio who released five full-length albums on Sub Pop between 2012 and 2024, it was singer and guitarist Alex Edkins. Slinging indie rock and hardcore records in his hometown record store while attending university, Edkins became an ardent student of rock ‘n’ roll; from the psychedelic 1960s to the DIY 1990s and beyond.

The new Weird Nightmare album Hoopla, mixes and matches these wide-ranging influences in fun, exhilarating combinations, showcasing his sophisticated musical mind. Bursting to life with hooks and earworms.

Co-produced by Edkins and Spoon’s Jim Eno at Seth Manchester’s Machines With Magnets in Providence, RI. Edkins expands Weird Nightmare’s dimensions to new heights, gilding the direct emotions of his straightforward songwriting with musical textures such as piano, bells, and castanets, giving these well-wrought tunes a shiny luster. 

Edkins shares about the track:

"‘Might See You There’ is about going back to visit my hometown and being flooded with teenage nostalgia. Small-town boredom and isolation almost feel like a gift in today's highly connected world. I feel fortunate for that time spent idly, down in the basement, learning the entire Rancid Let's Go album on guitar with my friends.

I find it easy to romanticise that time in my life, even though I was, without question, a disgruntled kid who badly wanted to escape my surroundings and see the world.

“I was listening to a lot of the Irish bands The Undertones and Protex while writing this one, and I think there is a fair bit of their influence. Just the simplicity and big bar chords mostly.

Seth Manchester and I were very into the idea of adding piano and bells to the outro, akin to the Phil Spector-produced End of the Century album by The Ramones. The great Julianna Riolino sings with me on the choruses, too!”

Weird Nightmare is also announcing North American and Europe headline dates beginning on April 24th in San Diego, with festival appearances at the Soundscape NW Festival in Portland, on April 28th with labelmates Bully, and a 5-date Canadian run in June with Wintersleep. Additional live dates will be announced soon.

Photo by Colin Medley

Hoopla is now available for preorder on CD/LP/all DSPs worldwide from Sub Pop and in Canada from Dine Alone. LP preorders in the US through Sub Pop Mega Mart will receive the limited Loser Edition on Emerald Green-Blue vinyl; preorders through Mega Mart Europe will receive the Loser Edition on Transparent Orange (UK/EU). The Canadian exclusive will be available on Orange/Blue/White Solar Flare from Dine Alone.

Pre-order here

Tour dates:

Apr 24th | San Diego, CA - Soda Bar

Apr 25th | Los Angeles, CA - Gold Diggers ^

Apr 26th | Oakland, CA - Thee Stork Club ^

Apr 28th | Portland, OR - Soundscape NW Festival *

Apr 29th | Seattle, WA - Baba Yaga

May 1st | Toronto, ON - Sonic Boom in-store

May 3rd | Brantford, ON -  zBTFD in-store 

May 12th | Kingston, ON - Broom Factory

May 13th | Montreal, PQ - Bar le Ritz

May 16th | Halifax, NS - Marquee Ballroom # 

Jun 17th |  London, ON - London Music Hall #

Jun 18th | Hamilton, ON - Bridgeworks # 

Jun 19th | Toronto, ON -  Masonic Temple # 

Jun 20th | Ottawa, ON - The Bronson # 

Jun 24th | Richmond, VA - Richmond Music Hall 

Jun 25th | Washington, DC - Songbyrd

Jun 26th | Philadelphia, PA - Ortlieb’s

Jun 27th | Brooklyn, NY - Union Pool 

Jun 28th | Medford, MA - Deep Cuts

Aug 28th | Malaga, Spain - Canela Party Festival

Sep 2nd | Glasgow, UK - Hug & Pint

Sep 3rd | Birmingham, UK - Hare & Hounds

Sep 5th | London, UK -  The LexingtonSep 

6th |  Rotterdam, NL - Rotown

Sep 8th - Berlin, DE - Urban Spree

Sep 9th | Koln, DE - Bumann

Sep 10th | Paris, FR - Point Ephemere

Sep 11th | Lille, FR - Aeronef

Sep 13th | Asten, NL - Misty Fields Festival

* with Bully 

^ with Mrs. Magician

# with Wintersleep