Les Claypool is set to embark on a unique and ambitious tour, the 'Claypool Gold Tour', which promises to be a mind-bending musical journey. This 30-date tour, featuring Claypool's three bands - Primus, the Claypool Lennon Delirium, and Les Claypool's Fearless Flying Frog Brigade - is set to kick off on May 20th in Reno, Nevada, and conclude on July 4th in Napa, California. The tour will take these bands across the United States, with stops in cities like Cleveland, Chicago, Boston, Austin, and Phoenix, among others. The tour's name, 'Claypool Gold', hints at a treasure trove of musical experiences, and the press release certainly backs this up, describing it as a 'mind-melting musical experience'.
What makes this tour particularly fascinating is the concept of shared stages and fluid setlists. Each night, all three bands will share the stage simultaneously, creating a dynamic and unpredictable performance. This idea is not entirely new, drawing inspiration from Maynard James Keenan's 'Sessanta Tour', where Primus performed alongside Puscifer and A Perfect Circle, with all three acts sharing the stage at various points. Claypool's tour takes this concept further, with the potential for unexpected collaborations and a truly unique experience for each show.
Primus, Claypool's 'main' band, features longtime guitarist Larry 'Ler' LaLonde and new drummer John 'Hoffer' Hoffman. The Claypool Lennon Delirium is a project between Claypool and Sean Ono Lennon, blending their musical styles. The Fearless Flying Frog Brigade, on the other hand, is a rotating cast of musicians, including Claypool, Lennon, and other talented artists. This tour will showcase the versatility and creativity of these bands, as they come together to create something truly special.
One thing that immediately stands out is the tour's emphasis on collaboration and shared experiences. By sharing the stage and setlists, these bands are creating a unique bond and a sense of community among their fans. This approach challenges the traditional concert experience, where artists often perform separately, and encourages a more immersive and interactive environment. It also raises the question of how these bands will navigate the logistics of sharing a stage and setlists, and how they will ensure that each performance is fresh and engaging.
From my perspective, this tour is a bold move by Les Claypool and his bands. It showcases their willingness to take risks and experiment with new ideas. By sharing the stage and setlists, they are creating a more inclusive and engaging experience for their fans, and challenging the traditional concert format. This approach could potentially revolutionize the live music industry, encouraging more artists to embrace collaboration and shared experiences. However, it also raises the question of how sustainable this model is, and whether it will be able to maintain its freshness and excitement over the course of the tour.
In conclusion, the 'Claypool Gold Tour' is a fascinating and ambitious project that promises to be a unique and mind-bending musical experience. By sharing the stage and setlists, Les Claypool and his bands are creating a sense of community and collaboration that is rare in the live music industry. This tour is a testament to their creativity and willingness to take risks, and it will be interesting to see how it unfolds and evolves over the course of the 30-date outing. One thing is for sure: this tour will be a memorable and exciting experience for fans of Claypool and his bands, and it will leave a lasting impression on the live music landscape.
