The unique three-band montage of Rock giants (A Perfect Circle, Primus, and Puscifer) kicked off the night promptly at 8:00 pm with a Public Service Announcement: Turn off your phones and put them away, or to the SPAM meat grinder you go.
A Perfect Circle jumped in hot and heavy with “The Package.” In between verses and after the song ended, Maynard James Keenan berated attendees who were still shuffling in saying “You’re late, you’re late, you’re late” and ending that rant with “Can’t blame this on the cheese curds and beer. You are late because you are fucking late.” Without missing a beat, another PSA direct from Maynard’s mouth about putting phones away and communing with each other in order to enjoy the night. This kicked into “Disillusioned.” A song referencing how we have all become addicts of our phones and screens and the world would be a better place if we could unplug and disconnect.
For the most part, after that, the night became solely focused on the music, camaraderie, and fun. Throughout the evening, bands played mini sets of 2-4 songs and joined in on other acts’ songs to give them a unique live flavor. Multiple songs featured all three drummers playing in unison. Oftentimes, Maynard and/or Carina Round would join the stage and add their angelic voices to the mix.
There was also a lot of fun happening throughout the night. Afterall, it is a celebration of Maynard’s birthday. Cupcakes were brought out. One lucky fan beat Maynard in Rock, Paper, Scissors to “win” a cupcake of their own. Ping pong was played. Masks were worn, birthday hats were spread throughout the bands to wear. It was truly a celebration and it was clear everyone was having a great time.
The crowd was as engaged as ever. The weather was getting chilly being on the lake, but no one seemed to mind. I really enjoy people watching at concerts these days. I feel like it gives me a unique opportunity to see how others ingest the music we are all hearing. It’s a wide range really, and quite fascinating. I think the most interesting are the few that raise their arms in praise like they are at a Sunday Worship service. Overall, the crowd displays a rapturous fanaticism, and the music certainly deserves it.
The evening progressed with the bands taking their respective turns at the helm until one final culmination of every member of each band on stage together to send the evening off with a bang.
The final and only song everyone in the room was allowed to record or photograph was “Grand Canyon” by Puscifer. The notable highlights for me were Josh Freese wearing a Wolf? mask while drumming with rubber snakes as drumsticks, and Gunnar Olsen proudly displaying his Miller High Life bottle, he chugged right before walking off stage.
The night was a zenith of talent and energy that left everyone talking about the experience on their way back to their cars. Thinking through what their favorite song was, what they wished they heard and what memories will live on in their heads to tell friends. We are thankful to the bands for giving us the opportunity to participate in a community of music such as this. To put the phones away and truly experience something live and real.
On that – Happy Belated Birthday, Maynard. This tour is a celebration of you, and we are thankful to come along for the ride.
Setlist for Milwaukee on 5/31:
Act I
A Perfect Circle:
The Package
Disillusioned
Blue
Primus:
Those Damned Blue-Collar Tweekers
Here Come the Bastards
Duchess and the Proverbial Mind Spread
Puscifer:
Man Overboard
Tiny Monsters
Indigo Children
Act II
Primus:
Little Lord Fentanyl (with Maynard James Keenan) (and Carina Round)
Welcome to This World
My Name Is Mud
Jerry Was a Race Car Driver
Puscifer:
Postulous
No Angel
Bullet Train to Iowa
The Algorithm
A Perfect Circle:
The Contrarian (with Carina Round)
The Doomed (with Carina Round) (Also with John Hoffman, all 3 drummers at the end)
Weak and Powerless
The Outsider
Act III
Puscifer:
The Humbling River (with Les Claypool and Matt McJunkins)
Polar Bear
The Remedy
Primus:
Pablo’s Hippos (with Maynard James Keenan)
Too Many Puppies
A Perfect Circle:
The Noose
Kindred (with Larry LaLonde)
Judith
Primus:
Southbound Pachyderm (Outro with Billy Howerdel, Matt McJunkins, and all 3 drummers)
All Three Bands:
Grand Canyon
Buy A Perfect Circle music and merch here:
https://amzn.to/441MxOd
Buy Primus music and merch here:
https://amzn.to/4dZWqAE
Buy Puscifer music and merch here:
https://amzn.to/3FVtahG
WORDS AND PHOTOS BY RANDAL HICKS
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