In The Loop Magazine Maynard James Keenan's 60th Birthday Blowout Tour Produces An Epic Line Up Of West Coast Alt-Rock

Maynard James Keenan’s 60th Birthday Blowout Tour Produces An Epic Line Up Of West Coast Alt-Rock

May 04, 2024 admin_bitlc Music News, Features 0

By Ed Spinelli

Maynard James Keenan, turned 60 and wants the world to know about it! All out celebrating in a class by itself, with a roster of musicians/friends throughout the “Sessanta” Tour, including a sold-out, one night stand at Wintrust Arena. This epic lineup of A Perfect Circle, Primus and Puscifer could of easily sold-out multiple nights, but this wasn’t in the cards for Chicago. This single night exclusive made it that much more special.

A Perfect Circle kicked off the night perfectly running through “The Package,” “Disillusioned” and “The Contrarian” with Puscifer’s Carina Round, helping with vocals, guitarist Billy Howerdel and bassist Matt McJunkins. The mini set did not end without Keenen mentioning the night would be free of all handheld devices. No doubt, social media will notice this absence, but it did make the night more enjoyable.

Next up was Primus, with vocalist/bassist Les Claypool, guitarist Larry LaLonde and drummer Tim Alexander, thundering their way through “Those Damned Blue-Collar Tweekers” through “Follow The Fool.” Claypool did take a moment to wish Keenan a happy birthday and then proceeded to poke fun at his cursing at crowds about their cell phones. Post Primus exploding set, Keenan and Round returned with Mat Mitchell for Puscifer’s turn to add their footprint to the night’s festivities, going through “Galileo,” “Tiny Monsters” and “Indigo Children.”

The night included more set rotations including Primus’ “Tommy The Cat,” Puscifer taking the “Bullet Train To Iowa” and Alexander joining A Perfect Circle on “The Hollow,” amongst the several others. The final stretch included A Perfect Circle’s “Kindred” and Primus/Keenan’s take on “Pablo’s Hippos.” With just five minutes left on the clock, all musicians came to the stage for Puscifer’s “Grand Canyon.” This was the perfect ending of the perfect concert and thanks to the birthday boy, there is proof as he gave his blessing to film the final song.