Sessanta (Primus, Puscifer, A Perfect Circle) at Xcel Energy Center (Jun 1, 2025)

Tour Dates

• Jun 3 Baxter Arena Omaha, NE
• Jun 6 Cascades Amphitheater Ridgefield, WA
• Jun 7 White River Amphitheatre Auburn, WA

Xcel Energy Center last night played host to Sessanta 2.0, the continuation of Sessanta, which was the sequel to Cinquanta – a 50^th birthday celebration for Maynard James Keenan. The show featured A Perfect Circle, Primus and Puscifer all on stage at the same time rotating through (mostly) three song sets (see set list to the right) with those not actively performing just hanging out (or sometimes involved in antics), enjoying the show. It was a remarkable, well-executed approach.

The concert opened with “Counting Bodies Like Sheep to the Rhythm of the War Drums” by A Perfect Circle. A perfect opening number with a ton of energy to get the crowd pumped. During the song, Carina Round of Puscifer wheeled out a cupcake on a trolley to present to the birthday boy, which he gave to a lucky member of the audience. After the song, Maynard rose from his crouch and acknowledged the crowed with “oh, hey” as if he hadn’t noticed the 9,000 people cheering. After pumping the crowd up a bit more with the typical “Hello Minnesota” multiple times followed by cheers and a playful jab that we sounded like ‘Sconies, which was met with the loudest roar, A Perfect Circle finished off their first 3-song set. Having never seen A Perfect Circle or even really knowing who Maynard is before the concert (for which, after last night, I apologize), I was amazed. What a voice. Over the course of the evening, they played ten songs

Primus took the spotlight next and the rock was so pure that nary a soul in the house didn’t have their face melted clean off. Wow, just wow! I’ve been a vicarious Primus fan since high school, which was the 90s, but never a real fan. Again, my bad; I should’ve been going to more Primus concerts. Throughout the evening, they also played 10 songs, which consisted of fan favorites, such as, “Here Comes the Bastards”, “My Name Is Mud”, and, of course “Jerry Was A Racecar Driver”, along with their newest single “Little Lord Fentanyl” with Maynard joining on vocals. Les Claypool, like Maynard is 61, and the energy he brings to the performance is inspiring.

Puscifer with Maynard on vocals joined by Carina Round on backing vocals, providing a lovely female counter entertained the crowd with, you guess it, ten songs. I was surprised by the difference in Maynard’s voice when performing Puscifer songs vs A Perfect Circle songs, equally impressive but distinct. The best song for Puscifer was “The Humbling River”. Don’t know what it’s about but it’s haunting.

Throughout the evening, the audience was reminded to put their cellphones away and be present in the moment with the bands. They would be allowed to record the final song, the Puscifer hit “Grand Canyon” with all three bands playing. Just as “Counting Bodies Like Sheep to the Rhythm of the War Drums” was the perfect opening to the show, “Grand Canyon” was the perfect song to end the show with all three bands joining in. Maynard left us with the advice to “create something with every breathe and make it count”. By my count this was the 44^th show of the Sessanta tour dating back to April 2024 and by my not-so-thorough consulting of the internet, each show follows the same basic set up, which I’ve loosely described here. For a better description, check out this review. My point is not that it’s repetitive but that it seems to bring the performers genuine joy to be playing together night after night and despite the similarities, working in what I imagine are playful differences for each show. I can only imagine what that camaraderie on such a large stage feels like. Thanks for sharing with the rest of us.