The anticipation hung thick in the air as fans gathered at Talking Sticks Resort Amphitheatre in Phoenix, eagerly awaiting the first of a two-night celebration of Maynard James Keenan’s milestone 60th birthday. The enigmatic frontman, known for his work with A Perfect Circle, Tool, and Puscifer, was about to reach the peak of the Sessanta tour—a grandiose homage to his six decades of life and music. As the day before Keenan’s actual birthday, this performance marked his final show in his 50s, adding an extra layer of significance to the night’s festivities. Featuring Keenan’s iconic bands A Perfect Circle and Puscifer alongside Primus, Sessanta is the birthday celebration to end all birthdays.

The night was broken up into three distinct acts. For the first, each band got the opportunity to showcase a selection of their legendary discographies. All three brought their own unique flair to the stage, promising an unforgettable evening of auditory and visual spectacle.

Kicking off the first act, the stage illuminated as the birthday boy himself alongside the rest of A Perfect Circle stepped into the spotlight, opening with a captivating rendition of “The Package.” Keenan’s haunting vocals intertwined with intricate guitar melodies and pulsating rhythms, drawing the audience into a trance-like state. They had a perfect mix of soulful piano and raging bass, completely captivating fans with their emotive performance. The bass reverberated so thickly that it could be felt in one’s soul, setting a powerful tone for the night.

Transitioning seamlessly, Primus followed suit, unleashing their signature blend of experimental rock and funk. Projector screens mirrored the band’s eclectic vibe, displaying distorted and colorful visuals. Les Claypool’s virtuosic bass lines reverberated through the venue. His incomparable bass slapping technique solidified his status as one of the greatest bass players of all time, drawing in everyone in attendance with each thump and pluck, and having the chance to see him during such a unique show was an incredibly rare opportunity and completely awe-inspiring.

Puscifer rounded out the first act with their eclectic soundscapes, blending elements of electronic, industrial, and alternative rock. Keenan’s stage presence was palpable as he commanded the audience’s attention with his enigmatic persona and dynamic vocal range. At all times, Keenan was in perfect harmony with the other half of Puscifer’s vocals, Carina Round, both vocally and physically. The duo were completely enchanting with mirrored movements and perfect vocals.

Act two of the show amplified the excitement, with members from each band starting to join forces for unforgettable collaborations. Keenan teamed up with Primus to deliver the iconic vocals of “Tommy the Cat.” Likewise, Primus drummer Tim Alexander took over the rhythm section during A Perfect Circle’s “The Hollow.” A fitting guest role considering Alexander was the founding drummer of APC and even did the studio drums for this iconic song.

The stage itself was a spectacle to behold, with triple drum kits set up on a giant shared riser, one kit for each band. Sofas also lined the sides of the riser so anyone not currently playing could just vibe out and enjoy themselves. For a bit of old-age humor, chairlifts traversed up and down the stairs of the riser, continuously adding to the whimsy to the spectacle as they were constantly being ridden just for the hell of it. Even games of ping-pong broke out onstage during Puscifer’s set, with band members from other acts swatting balls into the crowd and just having the best time. It was clear everyone on stage was having just as much fun as the fans.

Amidst the chaos, an intermission provided a very much welcomed break, accompanied by bad jokes playing on the monitors courtesy of “Old Man” Keenan. But it was right back to the mayhem as act three kicked off with the bands even more intertwined than before. The lighthearted atmosphere also continued as Keenan and Round engaged in some rigorous games of rock’em sock’em robots right in the middle of a Puscifer song, eliciting cheers and laughter from the audience, especially since Keenan just could not win.

The highlight of the evening for many came towards the end of the third act, where Keenan featured three new songs from the fittingly named Sessanta E.P.P.P., each representing one of the three bands while being a collaborative work of all. “Kindred” by A Perfect Circle featuring Les Claypool, “No Angel” by Puscifer, and “Pablo’s Hippos” by Primus with Keenan and Mat Mitchell showcased the versatility and creativity of the artists involved and truly encompassed the spirit of Sessanta.

The show culminated in a breathtaking rendition of Puscifer’s “Grand Canyon,” with all three bands and their respective members joining forces for a fitting finale. Everyone joined together as one big family, including all three drummers at once. The stage shimmered with a kaleidoscope of lights and colors as the musicians poured their hearts and souls into the performance, leaving fans in a state of complete and utter euphoria.

As the final notes faded into the night, there was a palpable sense of gratitude and reverence in the air, with fans reflecting on the unforgettable, once-in-a-lifetime experience they had just been apart of. Sessanta is truly the ultimate birthday party, the perfect celebration of Maynard James Keenan’s musical legacy and a look at what the next decade will behold. To quote the birthday boy himself: “And that, motherfuckers, is how you turn 60!”

April 16th, 2024