Weezer’s bassist, Scott Shriner, returned to the stage at Coachella on April 12 after his wife, Jillian Lauren, was involved in a shooting and arrest earlier in the week. During Weezer’s performance on the Mojave stage, the band did not directly address Lauren’s arrest, but frontman Rivers Cuomo alluded to their bassist’s difficult week by mentioning letting out emotions. Weezer was added to the Coachella lineup for the first weekend only, so they are not expected to return for the second weekend at the Empire Polo Club.
Lauren was involved in a shooting incident with police outside of her Los Angeles residence on April 9, just days before Weezer’s surprise appearance at Coachella. She was shot by officers looking for unrelated hit-and-run suspects and then fled into her house, where a handgun was found by LAPD officers. After it was determined that Lauren’s injuries were not life-threatening, she was taken into custody on suspicion of attempted murder and later released on a $1 million bond. She is scheduled to appear at a court hearing on April 30.
Police released a statement indicating that on April 8, they were searching for hit-and-run suspects when they came across a female, identified as Jillian Shriner, armed with a handgun in the yard of a neighboring residence. Shriner himself spoke to TMZ on April 10, stating that he and his wife were doing “alright” and confirming he would proceed with Weezer’s Coachella performance despite the recent events. Shriner joined Weezer in 2001 during the band’s comeback after a hiatus, replacing Mikey Welsh. He made his debut on Weezer’s self-titled third album.
Shriner and Lauren got married in November 2005 and later adopted two sons, Tariku Moon and Jovi Starshine, in 2007 and 2009, respectively. Coachella continued with headlining sets from Travis Scott and Green Day on Saturday, with performances from Megan Thee Stallion and Post Malone closing out the first weekend on Sunday, April 13. Weezer’s surprise appearance at the festival allowed them the opportunity to connect with their fans and provide a platform for Shriner to express his gratitude.
Overall, Weezer’s performance at Coachella served as a way for the band to come together, support their bassist, and connect with their fans in the midst of a challenging situation. Despite the circumstances surrounding Lauren’s arrest, Shriner made the decision to push forward and fulfill his commitment to Weezer’s performance at the music festival. The band’s appearance at Coachella, even as a last-minute addition, allowed them to share their music and emotions with their audience while showing resilience and unity amidst a difficult time for their bassist and his family.
