SESSANTA LIVE!! | WALNUT CREEK
THE BIRTHDAY CELBRATION OF MAYNARD JAMES KEENAN’S 60th!
We covered the birthday celebration tour for Maynard James Keenan called Sessanta. This tour included Perfect Circle, Primus and Puscifer which two of those bands Maynard fronts. This tour stop was at the Walnut Creek Amphitheater (Coastal Credit Union Music Park) and the venue was packed. We were given approval to watch the entire show and photograph the last 6 minutes of the show. Due to this, images will be limited. The show started off without a hitch and the stage set up was extravagant. There were risers on each side of the stage holding up another platform above the original stage which held the drums and a little sitting area on the side. When the tour opened Maynard came out in his classic opening style which consists of him standing in the shadows while singing the opening song. Every show I have seen him in including Tool, this seems to be the way he opens his performances. The music sounded incredible, and the entire show was packed with so much music it is hard to remember each song performed. One of the big, exciting moments of the night is when Primus hit the stage. The entire amphitheater went wild when Les Claypool started playing his bass guitar. I remember hearing one of primuses biggest hits called “My name is Mud” when it came out and the radio stations were blaring it all day. It was a great song. The entire night was not only music as some of the bands members would make jokes about Maynard turning 60 but also would talk about the great things about him and wish him a happy birthday. They also had this large screen behind them that would play different visuals throughout the show.
It is crazy to think a man whom I have been listening to sing in bands such as Tool and Perfect Circle since my youth is turning 60! It makes me realize how time has passed and even how I am getting older as well. The tour stop was great, and everyone got to hear their favorite songs from all three bands performing. At the end of the night, they all got on stage and sang one last song and when done, they thanked the crowd, hugged each other, and waved to the crowd as the lights dimmed out. If you are a fan of all three of these bands or just a fan of Maynard in general and want to be a part of a musical celebration, then you should check out this tour. Happy Birthday Maynard!!!
Chris Sturk
