TOOL

This was my second TOOL concert and it was awesome! I first time I saw TOOL was in Edmonton and it was the first leg of their tour in support of their new album, 10,000 Days. Both concerts were drastically different experiences. They played tight and had an amazing light/visual show. The set list was as follows...

Jambi
Stinkfist
Forty-six & 2
Schism
Rosetta Stoned
Flood
Wings for Marie/10,000 Days
Lateralus
Vicarious

Jambi proved to be an aggressive opener followed by Stinkfist, which usually serves as their opener. Stinkfist was followed by Forty-six & 2 and Schism. Danny's drum solo during Forty-six & 2 made me really appreciate his technicality - the man was on fire! Schism, like the Edmonton show, had the best visuals. During the climax of the song all visuals turn to fire, giving the effect that they are walking on fire. TOOL proceeded into the psychedelic Rosetta Stoned, followed by Flood. I stress that Flood was a treat since it is rarely played live. The 17+ minute long Wings for Marie/10,000 Days followed. These two songs were recently incorporated into their live set on this leg of their tour. They ended off with Lateralus and Vicarious. In the middle of the show, they had a alien-like laser show. Here is a fan filmed video of the light show in Saskatoon.



Like any other TOOL show, the band members were in their usual designated spots. Justin Chancellor was stage right, Adam Jones was stage left, Danny's drum set was center right, and Maynard James Keenan was in the background on an elevated platform to the left of the stage. Most people are shocked by this formation because they are used to the front man in front. I believe the reason for this is that TOOL has always insisted that fans focus on their music, not themselves. Their shows are essentially elaborate light and visual shows used to draw attention away from them. Maynard has stated in an interview that his voice is just another instrument not worthy of anymore attention than any of the other instruments.

If someone is reluctant to accept their non-traditional approach might be very easily disappointed. You have to take a TOOL show for what it is. Visuals and lights, no jumping around, and no encores. That is the way they have always been.

Here is a fan filmed video of TOOL performing Vicarious in Saskatoon.



Some tidbits...
- Danny wore a Saskatchewan Roughrider's jersey.
- A terminally ill guy from the Children's Wish Foundation played guitar to Forty-six & 2.
- The opening band, TransAm, sucked. Last year's openers, Isis, rocked.
- There was a couple who drove 1300kms from Kansas to see them.
- Some guy who caught Danny's signed drumskin sold it on the spot to some other guy for $100.

Some pictures I took with my cellphone camera.