The first ten minutes or so was just standing there having a gawk. Lots of black t-shirts, mostly blokes. A group of young blokes slam dancing meant you had to stay on your toes in case you had to duck out of the way. This was a little disconcerting but surely they were showing the way. As soon as I started moving and building to a bit of a boogie (“boogie” probably isn’t the right word to describe dancing at a Tool concert) the more I enjoyed myself. I was glad I’d grown my hair so I could do the metal head-bang thing, playing air (bass) guitar.
Tool plays tight, rhythmic, driving music. Danny Carey and Justin Chancellor had blinders (I love Danny Carey, he doesn’t priss around, he really hits those skins). Maynard James Keenan came on stage to huge applause. He seemed a little aloof and at one point berated the audience.
Midway through the set the band played 20 minutes of moody, atmospheric instrumental – Tool sounding very much influenced by mid-70s prog-rock. Some yobbo yelled out, “Boring!”, showing little understanding of what the band is about. I think this is what prompted Maynard’s arrogant, somewhat hostile attitude.
The laser show then really kicked in, with visuals on big screens either side of the stage. Adam Jones was up front, stage right. He is the visual artist and maestro of the band, and his guitar work is musicianship at its finest.
The set closed and Tool played one encore. Then the house lights came on and the band (sans Keenan) was front of stage, waving to and acknowledging the crowd. As we filed out, disco music was pumping. Some wag made a remark about disco boogie at a Tool concert!
