SESSANTA: A 60th Birthday Celebration for Maynard James Keenan at Pine Knob Amphitheatre
Clarkston,Michigan (May 2,2024)-Here’s a novel idea:You’re turning 60, you’re a rock star and you are the “face” of three prominant rock bands bands and in between a North American and European tour. Kick back and relax? Not a chance if you are Maynard James Keenan, singer/writer for Tool, A Perfect Circle and Puscifer.You have a brilliant idea. Gather up your other two bands, get your friend Les Claypool to join in with his band Primus, and have a two and a half month birthday party, albeit on the road, with 15000 friends each night.
Sessanta (Italian for 60 and a play on Keenan’s heritage) was adaptly subtitled “A 60th Birthday Celebration for Maynard James Keenan,” and what a party that concept tuned into. The concert, or shall we say extravaganza, was nearly three-hours of continuous music (with a 10-minute intermission)that feted the Scottsville, Michigan born and raised heavy rock icon, legendary Tool frontman, wine-maker and philanthropist with his full-on participation, including his two other bands, Puscifer and A Perfect Circle along with his good friends Primus.
And with a pure stroke of musical genius, Keenan kept the party uniquely his own. Rather than have one band perform after the other like any other regular concert, Sessanta was devised in more of a contemporary festival concept, with each group performing three mini-sets, often with guest appearances by the members of the other two bands that would culminate at the end of the night with all bands/musicians on stage performing together!
“Michigan — or, as I call it, home,” Keenan said during the show-opening segment by A Perfect Circle, “We’re gonna take you on a little journey,” he promised, reminding the sold-out crowd of nearly 15,000 of the show’s strict “no cellphone/photography” policy, recalling the brief video at the top of the show featuring Keenan as his Puscifer alter ego, Agent Dick Merkin, promising to kill people who broke the rule and turn them into Spam. “We’re gonna stay connected from start to finish,” Keenan announced in a quite matter-of-fact dialog, which was exactly what transpired over the rest of the highly entertaining night.
Sessanta provided a summer season’s worth of highlights at Pine Knob Amphitheatre all in one night. The stage itself was backed with a two-tiered riser that included art deco couches(with the number 60 embroidered on each end cushion) where the idled musicians sat and played air guitar, poured themselves beverages from a portable bar and grooved while each of the other bands were performing their mini sets below. With the multitude of musical talent on hand for the “party” the on-stage combinations were limitless. Puscifer’s Carina Round joined A Perfect Circle for “The Contrarian” after presenting Keenan, sporting a dapper dark suit, blue-tinged Mohawk and glasses, with a birthday cupcake, which he passed down to a fan in the front row. Keenan dueted with Primus to turn “Tommy the Cat” into “Maynard the Cat,” during their first mini set while the band’s Les Claypool played a crescendo building bass solo riding up a chair lift that poked fun at Keenan’s “advancing” age.
Throughout the show, Keenan was essentially the master of ceremonies as well as front man of both A Perfect Circle (which began the show) and Puscifer, addressing the crowd on a few occasions conversationally, and much more frequently than he usually does during any individual performances of any of his three bands. But the night was so much more than just a few high profile bands celebrating a birthday.
A Perfect Circle guitarist Billy Howerdel played cymbals at the start of Primus’ scintilating “Too Many Puppies,” and Claypool accompanied Puscifer during “The Humbling River” and with APC for “So Long, and Thanks For All the Fish,” on a funky bowed, electrified upright bass that summarized the overall uniqueness of the eclectic evening.
There were sight gags, scattered along the way too. Members of Primus and APC played ping-pong on stage left during Puscifer’s second set, while a masked Claypool rode the chair lift up and down. Keenan and Rounds, meanwhile, engaged in a round of Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots stage left while the band performed “The Remedy.”
The idea of playing nice with others accelerated at the end of the show, with the various musicians joining each other’s groups during the three new songs from a “Sessanta E.P.P.P.” that came out prior to the tour. And all hands were on deck for Puscifer’s “Grand Canyon,” as spacious and aurally awe-inspiring as the wonder of the world it was named after which by the way, Keenan relaxed his cellphone policy and let the packed house photograph the ending of the wildly entertaining night
The Sessanta Tour was more than just a concert—it was a celebration of artistic expression, creative collaboration, and the enduring legacy of Maynard James Keenan. With the diverse lineup, dynamic performances, and emphasis on live engagement, this tour reminded audiences why music is such a powerful force for connection, inspiration and celebration.
“Now THAT’s how you turn 60,” Keenan declared as he exited the stage for the final time knowing that everyone who filled Pine Knob was happy to be part of the party.
Sessanta:
A Perfect Circle:
Puscifer:
Primus:
Pine Knob Amphitheatre: