A Celebration Of Maynard James Keenan's 60th Birthday Hits The Woodlands Pavilion On April 13th

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All Photos By Larry Petro/Petrofyed Photography

Back in 2014 three bands gathered in Los Angeles to celebrate the 50th birthday of TOOL frontman Maynard James Keenan. A PERFECT CIRCLE and PUSCIFER, also fronted by Keenan, along with FAILURE assembled for a one-off birthday celebration which resulted in the live album Cinquanta - A 50th Birthday Celebration For Maynard James Keenan - Live. Now in 2024 to celebrate Keenan's 60th birthday, A PERFECT CIRCLE and PUSCIFER joined forces with eclectic rock act PRIMUS for a full blown celebration tour. What was initially a trek of just 7 dates expanded into 21, including an appearance at the Cynthia Wood Mitchell Pavilion (AKA The Woodlands Pavilion) on April 13th.

This tour was unlike anything else I has ever witnessed. There was no opening act and no headliner. The stage was simply adorned on the lower level with several keyboards and a stand up bass with 2 staircases, one on either side (complete with chair lifts) that led to a raised platform containing three different drum sets, one for each of the 3 bands performing. At either end of the platform at the top of each set of stairs sat red velvet couches for band members to sit and chill out while they weren't performing. To clear up any confusion, the bands would be rotating on the stage with each band playing a couple of songs before giving way to the next and so on. So what we got was a show that started at 8 sharp and went for 30 songs with just a short, 10-minute intermission just over halfway through. This show was just a bit outside my comfort zone of hard rock and metal, but I was willing to experience something new and what a spectacle it was indeed!

In keeping with most shows that Maynard James Keenan is a part of, prior to the show the video screens on either side of the covered seating area displayed the message that the show had a strict no camera policy, including cell phones and that violators could be subject to ejection. A PERFECT CIRCLE was the first band to start the show and Keenan took that time to address the camera policy, in part stating that 'If you can't do that for three hours, you have a problem and need to see somebody.' We, including the photographers approved for the show, would however be allowed to shoot the very last song of the night.

With that spiel out of the way, Act 1 began as A PERFECT CIRCLE got things going with 3 numbers, "The Package", "Disillusioned" and "The Contrarian" before giving way to PRIMUS for the first time as they also performed 3 tracks, "Those Damned Blue-Collar Tweakers", "Too Many Puppies" and "John The Fisherman", which began with a nod to RUSH and a bit of the classic instrumental "YYZ". PUSCIFER then took over, also with 3 songs, "Man Overboard", "Horizons" and "Indigo Children" as Act 1 came to a close.

It should be noted that looking a prior set lists it appears that the bands are constantly changing things up so as to not perform the same set twice which was quite refreshing to see, and would certainly lend one to want to attend more than one show to hear the different songs being performed.

As Act 2 got underway we started to see members from the bands joining and performing with the other bands that happened to be onstage at the time, and those that weren't performing could be seen sitting on the aforementioned couches kicking back and having drinks. This Act got started with PRIMUS on deck first and once again got a trio of songs including "My Name Is Mud". Now whether you're a PRMIUS fan or not, you can't help but appreciate what a great bassist he Les Claypool is and it definitely showed during this show! During their performance of "Tommy The Cat", Maynard James Keenan could be seen singing vocals while seated at the top of the right staircase. Claypool rides the chair lift up at one point during the song, then walks back down that staircase and Keenan then rides the lift down to stage level.

It was this kind of camaraderie that took place throughout the rest of the show, such as PRIMUS drummer Tim 'Herb' Alexander joining APC during "The Hollow" or Les Claypool donning his famous pig mask and playing stand up bass on "So Long, And Thanks For All the Fish and when all 3 drummers were onstage for the PRIMUS track "Southbound Pachyderm". At one point during PUSCIFER's performance a cart was rolled out on stage and Keenan and co-vocalist Carina Round played Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots. This was supposed to be a birthday party celebration and that is exactly what we got.

As the show started to reach its conclusion the bands each performed their song from the recently announced Sessanta E.P.P.P., "Kindred" (A PERFECT CIRCLE with Les Claypool once again onstage), "No Angel" (PUSCIFER) and "Pablo's Hippos" (PRIMUS joined by Maynard James Keenan and PUSCIFER guitarist Mat Mitchell). Capping the show was all the members from all of the bands onstage performing the PUSCIFER track "Grand Canyon". Following its conclusion there were hugs all around as the members acknowledged each others' company and the enjoyment of a show well done.

This tour continues for a couple more weeks before wrapping up on May 4 in Forest Hills, NY. Remaining dates are:

• April 20 Los Angeles, CA The Hollywood Bowl
• April 21 Berkeley, CA Greek Theatre SOLD OUT
• April 23 West Valley City, UT Maverik Center
• April 25 Morrison, CO Red Rocks Amphitheatre SOLD OUT
• April 26 Morrison, CO Red Rocks Amphitheatre SOLD OUT
• April 30 Bonner Springs, KS Azura Amphitheater
• May 1 Chicago, IL Wintrust Arena
• May 2 Clarkston, MI Pine Knob Music Theatre
• May 4 Forest Hills, NY Forest Hills Stadium