You Tool!
Warning this rant may not be what Tool fans want to hear, but it’s the truth.
Like 12,000 or so other Tool fans I was pumped to see one of my favourite bands perform at the Sidney Myer Music bowel after months of great anticipation, sadly the gig did not live up to my expectations. Some may say I expect too much, when in reality I’m quite easy to please. If I can go to a Spazzy’s gig (possibly the most boring and repetitive music of all time, but at least they have presence on stage.) and have an absolute blast, surely Tool would knock my socks off.
Sure the band was tight, musically they were awesome after all it was Tool, I wouldn’t really expect anything less as they are great musicians. If that’s all Tool can give me at their live shows I don’t know if I’d bother going to another, what’s the point? Even my friend Nikki arguably the biggest Tool fan I know was very disappointed with the show and for her to even suggest such blasphemy means something went wrong. A key factor was Maynard’s (the entire band for that matter) lack of crowd interaction, I can’t think back to any point in the show where he even tried connecting with the fans. “His stage show limited itself to flailing like some drunken goblin whilst silhouetted against the picture screens, and sometimes singing.” I can’t state it any better than what I read in Beat magazines review as it’s so very true.
My issue with the gig was their choices in songs. Going in to the show I was expecting some big intros, interludes etc… but they really managed to drag it all out for far too long. Many times I found myself glancing down into the pit to see thousands of fans looking bored and quite lifeless, really what were Tool thinking? They managed to drag out Wings For Marie (Parts 1 and 2) for far too long, it’s hardly the easiest song for a crowd to get into, especially when the most powerful and interesting section of the track doesn’t begin until 12 minutes or so into the song. I couldn’t believe they left out both Eulogy one of their most loved songs and even The Pot which is definitely a crowd favourite from their new album 10,000 Days. After only an hour and forty five minutes of a mostly lifeless, unenergetic performance Tool went into some group huddle and walked off the stage. I like many others expected more, but was left with nothing but disappointed, frustration and a hint of anger.
My highlight for the gig doesn’t involve Tool at all, it was some guy who climbed to the top of the shell like structure of the music bowl itself. At least it was interesting to watch him climb it then get wrestled down by police the second his feet were safely on the ground.
I can’t really end this blog/rant/review any better than Beat Magazines review of the same gig: ”Oh, and thank you, Maynard. It’s now clear how the band arrived at their name.” - Someone had to say it, props.
posted by Brodie @ 3:33 PM
10 Comments:
whereas muse on the same night, for a little over half the cost of tool tickets was one of the best concerts i've ever, ever seen.
haha.
*note* - This is a reply i recieved over myspace from Christine, i thought i'd post it here.
"well written buddy
i didn't see the show (missed out on tickets)
i was at bdo instead where they DID play 'the pot'
meh heh
and i was front row... so i had an absolute blast!
twas my 3rd tool experience, ive been following their arses since 1999
tool have never been good to connect with the crowd... they usually leave that to the visuals... and naked aireal acrobats! and this year a giant flaming sculpture of a hand.
and i am quite used to them doing their long instrumental pieces...
they do what they do best
personally... the outdoor stage was a big no no
hopefully, they will read all the crits and come back with something new and stuff
ive heard heaps of different reviews... one of my mates actually told me it was the happiest day of his life EVER... as it was his first tool concert, and then said a good old "fuck you" to anyone who didn't go, beacuse that made me a wannabe Tool fan
i punched him... he needed a reality check =)
well there's my rant
i hope it didn't make you any less of a fan of their music
good karma to you sir
=chris=
xox
and heres my reply...
i too saw them front rox at BDO, im surprised i didn't see you. I think BDO was awesome... much better then their concert that's for sure.
Paul - I also kinda wish that i had gone to Muse too... everyone was raving about how great they were
Hehe, add me to the list of people raving about Muse! The Tuesday one was awesome!
Going into Tool I wasn’t expecting a Story Of The Year (a band who goes crazy on stage, I’m talking jumping off 10 ft amps etc…) type performance, but some interaction with the crowd would be nice. Maynard barely spoke or even acknowledged the crowd the entire time. I don’t even remember him saying ”Whaddup” like Nick Snelling’s review mentioned. I only remembered him saying that Tool would be back in November/December.
They could have at least put on a show, even if they used fancy lighting, pyro-techniques and all that kinda jazz, but we were given nothing dude. I may as well of sat at home and listened to CD’s. There was no atmosphere, surely you of all people would understand that there has to be some sort of atmosphere to make a gig “memorable” or worthwhile.
For example seeing the giant grin on Ian Kenny’s face from Karnivool when they are performing. I mean at least look like your enjoying yourself, fuck it’s not that hard.
did you take notice of any or my points?
"Going into Tool I wasn’t expecting a Story Of The Year (a band who goes crazy on stage, I’m talking jumping off 10 ft amps etc…) type performance"
I didn't expect crazy shit... but i wanted a show, not a few lasers. If the band themselves aren't going to do anything at least get some good lighting or whatever.
You can't get on a stage in front of 12,000 or so people and ignore them all, people are there to see you play and everyone gets ignored. Fuck, even if your playing in front of 10 people the principles are still the same, don't fucking ignore the FANS paying good money to see you live.
I don't care who you are be it Maynard, Ez Ox, Daniel Johns, Ian Kenny, Axel Rose, etc... any front man, it's just bad business not to mention disrespectful.
Allow me to step in: I've always thought people, and you in particular Brodie, put far too much emphasis on putting on a song and dance and having a conversation with the crowd.
Artists should be judged on their music first and foremost and it annoys me to see musically lame bands becoming successful due to their crowd pandering skills. I acknowledge that it's all about having a good time at a concert, but when the setlist sounds good I'll usually have a damn good time.
I attend gigs to hear musicians play and sing, not to speak. (As great as Bono/Chris Martin's intentions may be, I'd rather hear a B-side than a soppy "save the world" message)
i listen to a bands CD's to here their music, i go to a gig to see a band play.
They don't need stop and pump up the crowd after every song but you want to see something.
There needs to be atmosphere...
Tool did not provide that. I may as well have saved myself $100, stayed home and cranked up my stereo to Tools albums.
Yes i do like seeing crazy shit on stage but i knew Tool wouldn't do that, but Tool gave very little. They came on the stage and ignored everyone completely.
oh and their "light show" consisted of 5 or 6 whole lasers... that basically stood still for most the time they were switched on.
The bottom line is that The Dukes of Windsor have the best stage presence ever!
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