Weezer takes a trip down memory lane at the Orpheum

The affable pop-rock synthesists were in town on their “Memories’’ tour, celebrating the band’s first two albums, and neither Weezer nor the vociferous sold-out crowd had come to waste time on canned banter, but to revel in the night’s backward chronology conceit.

During the short, sharp, and sweet “greatest hits’’ set, Cuomo would announce a year and an album and the band launched into a song. Starting with recent single “Memories,’’ the group deftly wended its way note-for-note through its earwormy catalog, including a delicious extended stay in 2001 for the candied metal riffage of “Hash Pipe’’ and lilting “Island in the Sun.’’

In addition to his musical journey, Cuomo made some tracks in the venue as well, climbing the speaker stacks for “Pork and Beans’’ and wending his way through the back of the theater during a spirited singalong of “Beverly Hills.’’

An intermission continued the reminiscing theme as longtime band associate Karl Koch narrated a Weezer slide-show.

The second set was dedicated to the band’s blockbuster, self-titled debut, dubbed the “Blue’’ album, played in its entirety. Like a musical Old Testament to longtime fans, the radio hits, like the bubbly “Buddy Holly’’ and cathartic ballad “Say It Ain’t So,’’ and deeper album tracks, including the shimmering-yet-noisy closer “Only in Dreams,’’ were greeted with equal allegiance.

While the now commonplace full-album show can be a nostalgic comfort zone, Weezer proved there is plenty of tiger left in the tank. The band returned to the Orpheum last night to play sophomore release “Pinkerton.’’

Minnesota-by-way-of-Philadelphia rock quintet Free Energy warmed up the crowd. While there was an “it’s all been done’’ familiarity to their cheerful classic rock and power pop, including by the headliners, the group’s enthusiasm won the day.

Sarah Rodman can be reached at srodman@globe.com.