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REVIEW: Primus, Puscifer, & A Perfect Circle Perform The True Sessanta Celebration for Maynard’s Official 60th Birthday at Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre (4-16 & 17-2024)

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April 16 Setlist | April 17 Setlist

PHOENIX — Not everyone can invite thousands of people to their birthday party, but that is exactly what Maynard James Keenan did for the “Sessanta” (Italian for “60”) concert held at Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre. He turned the stage into a “house party”, complete with living room sofas on the drum risers, ping pong tables, and Rock ‘Em, Sock ‘Em Robots, too! When the party guests are musician friends, a jam is inevitable. Fans were treated to a revolving mix of Puscifer, A Perfect Circle, and special guests Primus.

Unlike the prototypical concert, there was no opening act and there was no headliner. This was a party of contemporaries taking turns at the helm and then joining together like alchemists creating something new. The comical video intro to the show promised Puscifer, Primus, A Perfect Circle, Primefer, A Primus Circle, A Pusifect Primcle, and A Prifmect Puscicle!

The focus was the music. The sound was fantastic, arguably better than usual for this venue. The musicianship was flawless and the songs showcased the songwriting prowess. However, at times, the visual experience was disconcerting. The video feed was continually ‘artsy-fartsy’ with overlays of two separate video feeds infused with motion and tilt. This was obviously intentional and maybe it was supposed to mess with your head and keep you focused on the live show instead of watching TV! The issue that led to watching the video screens, however, was because there was very little front lighting on the performers.

The light show in the background was a marvelous cacophony of color palettes and dynamic design, but the people in the lawn may not have even noticed Keenan’s black eye make-up on his shadowed face. Not to mention that the videographers did their damndest to keep from showing the reclusive Keenan on the ‘jumbotrons’ at all…presumably since they would be fired if they focused on him.

Maynard James Keenan
Maynard James Keenan (Vocalist), A Perfect Circle & Puscifer
Photography:
Rodrigo Izquierdo © All Rights Reserved

A Perfect Circle

A Perfect Circle kicked off the 30-song ride by delivering “The Package,” “Disillusioned,” and “The Contrarian.” Keenan chose a three-piece black suit and a buttoned-down white shirt from his diverse selection of guises to complement his sculpted blonde mohawk. This outfit was befitting the ‘most interesting man in the world’ and could easily transition from his day-job of running a successful winery to bringing a touch of class to his night on the stage. By his side since the inception of the band, a quarter century ago, was guitarist/composer Billy Howerdel, who still looks exactly the same after all these years. Plus he is still playing the Cinnamon Burst Gibson Les Paul that is part of the signature sound of the band.

Billy Howerdel
Billy Howerdel (Guitarist, Vocalist), A Perfect Circle
Photography:
Rodrigo Izquierdo © All Rights Reserved

Sessanta had a two-evening engagement in Phoenix. On Tuesday, Keenan was 59-years-old. On Wednesday, he was 60. His voice still sounds like it’s in its prime! Each stanza harkened back to the creepy “Sober” video by Tool, when much of the world was introduced to his iconic vocal sound in 1993. From the haunting ‘mello, dramatic’ melodies to the gritty howls of angst, there was no doubt that he’s still got game.

Primus

A Perfect Circle brought epic songs, but the beats per minute multiplied once the screens announced Primus. The elevated drum stage extended from stage left to stage right and all three drum sets were mic’d and ready to go. Primus kicked off their first set with “Those Damned Blue-Collar Tweekers,” followed by “Too Many Puppies,” “Sgt. Baker,” and “Follow The Fool.” There was definitely no time to go get a beer between bands.

It was most certainly Keenan’s night, but if there was a close second, Les Claypool nearly stole the show. His bass playing is a master class in technique, proficiency, and feel. There is something about this band that shouts that there are no fucks given for them trying to fit into the mold of any genre of music…and it works. Claypool’s voice and melodies are like a brilliant comedy and grinning at his delivery is contagious.

Puscifer

In the dark moments after the last Primus song, the musicians playing on center stage rotated once again. As the lights reignited, the sonic curtain was infused with synthesized textures and the continuous male/female vocal harmonies of Puscifer.

Carina Round
Carina Round (Vocalist), Puscifer
Photography:
Rodrigo Izquierdo © All Rights Reserved

Carina Round brought a feminine aesthetic to the party dominated by the boys and she was amazing. When she wasn’t in flight across the stage, choreographed with Keenan’s moves, she was playing the pads of a Waldorf Iridium synth and morphing the sounds on the touchscreen. This short first set included “Galileo,” “Tiny Monsters,” and “Indigo Children.” Guitarist Mat Mitchell stayed on the left side of the stage with a reserved swagger and elevated the heavy moments with rock riffs and solos from his star-shaped Kiesel.

And So It Went…

The revolving cast of characters continued throughout the evening. Each band played three sets and included top songs from their catalogs such as “Jerry Was A Racecar Driver” from Primus, “The Remedy” from Puscifer, and “Weak And Powerless” from A Perfect Circle. Nobody seemed to ever go to the green room when they weren’t playing. “Back stage” were the two the couch areas next to the three drum sets, and musicians would either just hang out there, or from time to time play ping pong down stage while waiting for their turn in the limelight.

Carina Round and Maynard James Keenan
Carina Round (Vocalist) & Maynard James Keenan (Vocalist), Puscifer
Photography:
Rodrigo Izquierdo © All Rights Reserved

There was only one brief 10-minute intermission, and even that proved to be entertaining with a video of Keenan made up to look way older than 60 and dressed in a hospital gown while breathing through a nasal cannula. Throughout the intermission, his character would fall asleep in the green-screen hospital room only to be awoken by the countdown announcing each minute left of the break. You come to expect Keenan’s humor after naming his wine “Merkin” and his band Puscifer, but his dad jokes as this old man really made you roll your eyes. “What did the pirate say when he turned eighty?…Ay matey”, “Why are rock stars so cool?…They have lots of fans,” and many others. You can watch this character in the promotional videos for the concert for more corny humor.

Claypool was wearing a Pinnochio nose to compliment his familiar round glasses and derby cap as Primus wrapped up the preliminary rounds of music with the epicly plodding “Southbound Pachyderm.”  Then Keenan came on stage to interject that this is what it’s like to be 60! The enthusiastic crowd cheered and wished him a happy birthday. The next three songs were introduced as the new material from the Sessanta E.P.P.P (presumably more humor derived from being an extended play (EP) of Primus, Puscifer, and [A] Perfect Circle (P.P.P). This EP was available exclusively online or at the merch booth. Many fans were carrying around their purchased copies.

Maynard James Keenan
Maynard James Keenan (Vocalist), A Perfect Circle & Puscifer
Photography:
Rodrigo Izquierdo © All Rights Reserved

Each of the songs were slow, starting with piano-driven “Kindred” by A Perfect Circle with deep lyrics about dealing with death. Next up was “No Angel” by Puscifer, which spotlighted Mitchell with tasty guitar accents and the angelic voicings of Round reverberating in the background. The Primus song, “Pablo’s Hippos” was electric, and the subwoofer synth parts seemed to be emanating from inside your head instead of from the speakers! Guitarist Larry LeLonde was shredding on a two-neck Gibson SG reminiscent of Jimmy Page and Keenan guested as the lead singer with a few harmonies in injections from Claypool. Claypool also made several appearances throughout the evening playing a beautiful upright bass while wearing a pig mask.

Matt McJunkins, A Perfect Circle
Matt McJunkins, A Perfect Circle
Photography:
Rodrigo Izquierdo © All Rights Reserved

In addition to  crew videographers positioned in the photo pit, some unusual camerawork sights included: the video camera attached to a massive jib arm sweeping across the stage, emphasizing the grandeur of the occasion throughout the night, and drone cameras buzzing almost playfully over the lawn crowd. This no-doubt assured everyone that the experience would be captured in high quality. A good thing too, since cameras were otherwise strictly forbidden for this show, as is customary at Keenan’s concerts. Those caught disobeying would be ejected from the concert and ‘turned into the special ingredient of Spam’ – Keenan’s humor shining once more. However, for this one last song, fans and press photographers alike were finally permitted to indulge their need to shoot. He articulated the rule that lights and flash must not be used, and he quipped to “consult a 9-year-old if you don’t know how to do that”.

Primus, Puscifer, A Perfect Circle
Primus, Puscifer, & A Perfect Circle
Photography:
Rodrigo Izquierdo © All Rights Reserved

The culmination of the two nights of celebration was the full cast hitting the stage together for a monumental version of Puscifer’s “Grand Canyon.” The melody took on modes of distant cultures and the three drummers amplified the tribal feel.

It was a great night of reminiscing with the eclectic mix of songs that abruptly came to an end, Keenan passing out fist bumps to everyone on stage who made his birthday party spectacular. We hope he will come back for “Settanta” when he turns 70!

April 16 Setlist | April 17 Setlist

Photo Gallery

Photographer: Rodrigo Izquierdo

Sessanta: Primus, Puscifer, A Perfect Circle – Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre 4-16-24

Photography © Reagle Photography
All Rights Reserved

Justin Timberlake Returns to the Global Stage with the ‘Forget Tomorrow’ World Tour

Last night on The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon, renowned musician, actor, and entertainer Justin Timberlake announced his first tour in 5 years with The Forget Tomorrow World Tour. 

Produced by Live Nation, the first leg of his global outing will include 22-cities and kicks off on April 29 at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, BC making stops across North America in Seattle, WA; Los Angeles, CA; Atlanta, GA; Miami, FL; Chicago, IL; New York, NY; Boston, MA and more before wrapping up in Lexington, KY at Rupp Arena on July 9.

Additional dates including stops in Europe and the UK will be announced soon. See full ticketing and routing information below.

Get Tickets for All Tour Dates Here

Justin Timberlake 2024 world tour dates
Justin Timberlake 2024 world tour dates

About Timberlake’s New Album – Out March 15

'Everything I Thought It Was' album artwork
‘Everything I Thought It Was’ album artwork

Fans can expect to hear songs from his forthcoming new album Everything I Thought It Was, his latest single “Selfish” out now, and everyone’s favorite hits. Written by Timberlake, Louis Bell (Taylor Swift, Post Malone), Cirkut (Maroon 5, The Weeknd), Theron Thomas, Amy Allen and produced by Timberlake, Louis Bell and Cirkut, “Selfish” is the first taste of solo music from Justin since his 2018 Man of the Woods record.

Justin’s sixth studio album Everything I Thought It Was is out March 15th. Pre-order HERE. This weekend, Timberlake will return to Saturday Night Live as musical guest, making the TV debut of his newly released single “Selfish”.

Justin Timberlake 2024 North American Tour Dates

  • Mon Apr 29 – Vancouver, BC – Rogers Arena
  • Thu May 02 – Seattle, WA – Climate Pledge Arena
  • Mon May 06 – San Jose, CA – SAP Center at San Jose
  • Fri May 10 – Las Vegas, NV – T-Mobile Arena*
  • Tue May 14 – San Diego, CA – Pechanga Arena San Diego*
  • Fri May 17 – Inglewood, CA – Kia Forum
  • Tue May 21 – Phoenix, AZ – Footprint Center
  • Wed May 29 – San Antonio, TX – Frost Bank Center
  • Fri May 31 – Austin, TX – Moody Center
  • Tue Jun 04 – Fort Worth, TX – Dickies Arena
  • Thu Jun 06 – Tulsa, OK – BOK Center
  • Mon Jun 10 – Atlanta, GA – State Farm Arena
  • Wed Jun 12 – Raleigh, NC – PNC Arena
  • Fri Jun 14 – Tampa, FL – Amalie Arena
  • Sat Jun 15 – Miami, FL – Kaseya Center
  • Fri Jun 21 – Chicago, IL – United Center
  • Tue Jun 25 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden
  • Sat Jun 29 – Boston, MA – TD Garden
  • Wed Jul 03 – Baltimore, MD – CFG Bank Arena
  • Thu Jul 04 – Hershey, PA – Hersheypark Stadium
  • Sun Jul 07 – Cleveland, OH – Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse*
  • Tue Jul 09 – Lexington, KY – Rupp Arena

*Verizon Up Presale Not Applicable

North America Tickets

GENERAL ONSALE BEGINS FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 2 AT 10AM LOCAL ON JUSTINTIMBERLAKE.COM

Tickets will be available starting with a fan club presale beginning on Monday, January 29. Existing Fan Club members will receive a unique code via email for access to purchase tickets. Additional presales including Verizon and Citi (details below) will run throughout the week. The general onsale begins Friday, February 2 at 10 am local time at JustinTimberlake.com.

TICKETS AVAILABLE WITH CITI AND VERIZON PRESALES STARTING TUESDAY, JANUARY 30

  • CITI PRESALE: Citi is the official card of the Forget Tomorrow World Tour. Citi cardmembers will have access to presale tickets for U.S. dates beginning Tuesday, January 30 at 10am local time until Thursday, February 1 at 5pm local time through the Citi Entertainment program. For complete presale details visit citientertainment.com.
  • VERIZON PRESALE: Verizon will offer customers presale access for the Justin Timberlake Forget Tomorrow World Tour for applicable U.S dates through Verizon Up. Customers will have access to purchase presale tickets for select shows beginning Tuesday, January 30 at 10am local time to Thursday, February 1 at 5pm local time. For more details visit Verizon Up.

VIP:

The tour will also offer a variety of VIP packages and experiences for fans to take their concert experience to the next level. Packages vary but include tickets in the exclusive VIP Stage Bar section with in-seat service throughout the night, specially designed VIP gift item, early entrance into the venue & more. For additional information, visit vipnation.com