Friday, February 24th, Livenation and the Footprint Center and in Phoenix, Az, was host to the one and only TOOL. Tool has been a band I’ve listened to since I was 12 years old. Hearing “Undertow” for the first time changed my whole perspective on music. This is a band that I’ve seen multiple times over the years, and every time I see them, it’s always an out-of-this-world experience.
Friday night was no different; the Footprint Center was sold out and everyone was out of their seats waiting for Maynard, Danny, Adam, and Chance to take the stage. Tool has never been just another band! From their album’s to their live show they’re a full on experience from start to finish.
I’ve been going to concerts for over 25 years now, so when I say this is one of the loudest concerts I’ve ever attended, I have decades of experiences to compare it to. The last band that blew my eardrums out was Chimaira, but on Friday night, Tool took it to another level. Even though I was a couple rows up from the stage, I had to keep my ear plugs in the entire time. Ever the perfectionists, Tool didn’t once lose sound quality; everything was perfectly leveled to deliver a high octane audio experience. No speakers were blown out, not a single note was dropped. They sounded just like records, and every member was on their A-game.
Tool opened up the show with “Third Eye,” and Danny Carey made his way to his drum set. He stood up, put his drum ticks in the air, and the crowd lost their collective mind, and started to scream. It was finally time for TOOL!
With Adam and Chance walking out, they went into “Fear Inoculum“, the self-titled track off their latest album. As Maynard crept out onto the stage, he was in his normal spot high on a platform, slithering and moving in what reminded me of slow-motion muay Thai moves. While I know most people did not like the “no cell phone” policy in place all weekend, I fully supported it! Admittedly, I get lost in trying to record a set, and I lose that feeling of being present in the moment. Concerts are meant for us to disconnect from the outside world and leave everything behind. Maynard is blatantly trying to get us to do just that, opening up the show with a direct, “You can be away from your mobile device for two hours, and if you’re good, you can use it later.” This was a show to be present in, a near religious experience with Maynard on high guiding us through Tool’s special brand of psychedelic journey. Funnily enough, the couple behind me was actually on shrooms and never let anyone in the area forget it. Tool does have a heavy side, but they have always reminded me of a trippy journey into finding yourself. Their music speaks to the soul, the heavy bass and guitars driving energy into you, warming and vibrating you to your core.
On a quick glance around the arena, it was obvious that everyone was deadlocked on TOOL, cellphones and the outside world a distant thought. To their credit, Tools setlist on Friday night wasn’t just a Best Hits playlist; it was obvious that care went into each track selected. Rounding out the list were “Jambi”, “Rosetta Stone”, “The Grudge”, and “Invincible”, each a hypnotic piece in their own right. Tool closed out the night with “Stinkfist“. Caving slightly to the understanding that video and photos of the set will only drive more people to see them live the next time they tour, Maynard let everyone pull out their phones and record that final song of the night.
It’s been a few days since the concert, and I’m still riding on that high from the show. This is exactly what everyone should be feeling after seeing a band; there is a euphoria in allowing yourself to get completely lost in a moment. The visuals, the sound, and the near spiritual atmosphere flowing through the arena were like nothing else in this world.
