SESSANTA: A Perfect circle, Primus and Puscifer Take Over Hard Rock Atlantic City

Sessanta A 60th Birthday Celebration For Maynard James Keenan

I call Maynard James Keenan the hardest working man in Rock music, that opinion has become even more true for me after witnessing Sessanta. The show, which is a celebration of Maynard’s upcoming 60th Birthday (which is April 17th), features a one of a kind concert experience with three bands, two of which Keenan is the vocalist for. A Perfect Circle, Primus and Puscifer have joined forces for the celebration of Keenan’s birth in what is a real treat to experience in person. 

The bands released the Sessanta E.P.P.P. to go along with the tour which features 3 new songs, one from each band. “Kindred” by A Perfect Circle, “No Angel” by Puscifer and “Pablo’s Hippos” by Primus. Rare physical copies are pressed on vinyl and signed by all bands but there are only 75 numbered copies for sale in each city so you have to arrive early to get one. Also available at merch are limited edition posters and prints, some also signed. 

Fans Flocked early to The Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City, the event took place in the hotel’s larger event space the Etess Arena. Doors opened around 6:30PM and the event began around 8:15 with an announcement on the arena’s screens from Maynard dressed as Puscifer’s Agent Dick Merkins who essentially told the crowd any phone use would result in the guilty becoming part of a SPAM meat recipe. 

The show kicked off with act 1 A Perfect Circle’s, there’s a total of 3 acts with a set from each band switching in and out, there are lounge areas with couches and refreshments on either side of the stage for the bands to sit and enjoy the show when it’s not their turn. APC kicked off with “The Package ” after Maynard took a moment to thank the crowd for coming and ask’s that for the next 3 hours the crowd stay focused and present away from their phones and promising if they’re good they can film the final song. We’ve seen this with TOOL tours as well.  The band then went into “Disillusioned” before wrapping up with “The Contrarian” joined by Puscifer‘s Carina Round. 

The stage features hanging lights above, a screen curtain behind and a riser with all 3 drum kits along the top. Large Hollywood style lights along the front of the stage and unlike most shows Maynard does, he spends most of Sessanta in the front of the stage rather than the back. Primus was next to hit the stage, and boy were fans excited. Les Claypool and company hit the stage kicking off their set with “Those Damn Blue-Collar Tweekers”. Claypool was in full force leaving fans in awe with his bass skills, the man is a pure pleasure to watch and the crowd was loving every minute of it. Their four song set was closed out with “Here Come The Bastards”. 

Puscifer was next up and they brought an entirely different feel to the show which was a nice change of pace. I have to pause for a minute to acknowledge and give major kudos to the sound guys and crew for the tour. 3 bands on stage flowed effortlessly, even better than most tours with single sets. The sound for all three bands was absolutely flawless throughout. 

Maynard and Carina Round made their way to the stage, and the games began. Puscifer’s set is filled with hilarious antics throughout anything from funky dance moves to ping pong or knock out wrestling games being played on stage. The side of the stage has a stair chair on each side for Maynard to ride up and down. The band’s set kicks off with “Galileo” and throughout the show the song’s just kept getting better, almost going from deep cuts to more known material as the show progressed. 

As the show went on it seemed like each band was bringing out their greatest hits, A Perfect Circle performed popular tracks like “Judith”, “Weak and Powerless”, “The Outsider” while Primus featured songs like “Jerry Was A Race Car Driver”, “My Name Is Mud” and “Tommy Cat”. Puscifer also brought out fan favorites like “ Indigo Children”, “Bullet Train To Iowa” and “The Remedy”.

As the night progresses bands start playing tracks with each other and more members come on stage together. Ultimately the last set features each band doing their new song from the Sessanta E.P.P.P before closing out the show with all bands on stage at the same time Claypool wearing a Pig mask and stringed bow instrument for the final song Puscifer’s “Grand Canyon”  at the end the bands take their final bows and waves and hug it out on stage. You can most certainly tell the bands are having a blast doing these  shows, both the crowd energy and the performers are at an all time high during the sets. 

It was a great opportunity to catch A Perfect Circle again live and Puscifer and Primus brought their A game as always. If you get a chance to experience this show, GO!!! It is 100% worth the price of admission and you’ll be seeing something truly unique. Check out the full setlist below!

See the Full Gallery of the Night Here!

If you captured any shots of the night, feel free to tag us on social media at Shutter 16 Magazine and throw in #Shutter16 and #TwitFromThePit for the world to see. 

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