This bass. Long jam sessions. Endless grooves. Guitar solos. Sing-alongs. While Primus and Coheed & Cambria may not be typical co-headliners sonically, the logic was there for the bands. According to Sanchez in a tour press release: “The music of Primus has had a creative influence on me and it is a huge honor to get to share the stage with them.”
This tour came to Richmond, Virginia at Virginia Credit Union Live. Addressing the crowd was Les Claypool, saying that he was born in Richmond, California. Claypool then assured the Virginia crowd that both Richmonds are identical and there is nothing different between the two, and that includes tweakers.
Primus performed decades worth of hits with many songs extended to give longer sessions to the tripped-out crowd. The setlist included a surprise collaboration from tour opener Puddles Pity Party who all covered Dio’s “Holy Diver”. A sad clown and the creators of the South Park theme covering a metal classic. They did Dio proud.
“Sick Happens.” That’s what guitarist Travis Stever told the Richmond crowd when explaining Coheed‘s presence on stage. Coheed & Cambria recently performed in Washington, D.C. in karaoke fashion as singer Claudio Sanchez was sick. The ongoing illness was still present between songs for Claudio, but the band gets a gold star for effort as they wanted to continue the show and tour together.
Even with a few elongated breaks for the band to catch their breath, Coheed still made sure the hits were performed from Good Apollo and other songs over the last two decades for the group’s diehard fanbase. The group also performed before the show for their VIP fanbase, again going above and beyond even while feeling down and out.
The night opened with soundtrack clips about a fish while a clown reads the latest edition of AARP Magazine. Confused by the description? I assure you it’s accurate, as Puddles performed a range of hits with his crooning baritone voice. Puddles Pity Party in Richmond covered songs from Ozzy Osbourne, Celine Dion, and even the Gilligan’s Island theme song. The clown may look sad (and possibly scary?), but his voice is golden.
As Puddles tried to throw out guitar picks or get a bit animated on stage, the clown realized he’s not as young as his spirit feels. Here’s hoping Puddles aches heal soon after such a physically demanding performance.
While I have seen Coheed & Cambria live several times over the past 10 years, I had never seen Primus. This night was a LED filled spectacle ranging from Salad Finger clips to the sing of prog-emo classics. I’m not sure whose idea this tour lineup was, but they really created a great tour with something unique for concert goers.
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“Primus is currently captivating audiences on their summer tour alongside Coheed & Cambria and special guest Puddles Pity Party. This dynamic trio is delivering an eclectic musical experience across the U.S., showcasing the unique sounds of each band. Primus, known for their innovative fusion of rock, funk, and psychedelia, is led by the iconic bassist Les Claypool, whose virtuosic performances are a highlight of the show. Coheed & Cambria, recognized for their concept-driven albums and powerful melodies, complements Primus with their own blend of progressive rock. Meanwhile, Puddles Pity Party adds a whimsical twist with a mix of comedy and music, performing covers in a theatrical clown persona. This tour not only celebrates the distinct styles of these influential bands but also promises an unforgettable night of live music for fans across the country.” (Perplexity)
Primus and Coheed & Cambria Share Stage In Unique Richmond Show
