By: Jody Dunstan
Photos: Steve Fallows
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Bridgewater Hall, Manchester | May 30, 2016
Arriving at the venue my first thought was is that I’ve come to the wrong place, I was greeted with a wrestling ring, several suited ‘wrestlers’ and cheering. My confused look was answered with an equally confused look by the event staff. The support was billed to be Luchafer, my pre-gig research lead nowhere. On hindsight, being familiar with most of Maynard James Keenan’s output and humour I shouldn’t have been surprised that there would be a Lucha Libre style act as an opener. After the opener, there was a quick change, some of the performers acting as stage hands and some video of Maynard in several of his alter egos.
The security was tight at this venue and staff were very insistent that video and mobile phones not to be used at all during the performance. Almost everyone obeyed, the gig was far better for it. I think more venues and performers should embrace this, as it allows everyone to enjoy what is going on and not have to look around a sea of phones.
Bridgewater Hall, a venue more noted for classical performances, was dark and moody. Maynard and his co-vocalist Carina Round positioning themselves in the still present ring. The stage setting as unconventional, drummer Freidl centre stage, Mat Mitchell and Paul Barker (guitar and bass respectively) on the left and multi-instrumentalist Mahsa Zargaran on the right. A collection of the wrestlers spread around the stage. Keenan and Round swapping from being in the ring and front of the stage.
The set was divided into Acts. Act I opened with ‘Simultaneous’ (minus the album intro), the first act consisting of the band’s more sedate tracks. Feeling all the more civilised by the fact that everyone was seated, Keenan questioned why everyone was sat, being English, of course, everyone obeyed and immediately stood up. The atmosphere was fairly relaxed, most people soaking up the performance, almost unsure of what was going to happen next. The one thing immediately obvious was that Round shared vocal duties with Keenan, rather than acting as a backing vocalist. Her voice blended perfectly with Keenan’s. ‘The Remedy’, which ended Act II being a perfect example. She also takes lead vocal duties on ‘Rev 22:20′. She combines this with fantastic energetic dancing and gyrating, her and Keenan feeding of each other’s energy.
The one criticism that could be levelled is that some of the tracks can seem similar. The amount of things going on with visuals, various wrestlers having arguments it amounts to an absorbing show. Tracks from the most recent album Money Shot are more complex and mature and come across well in a live setting. ‘Life of Brian (Apparently You Haven’t Seen)’ and the incredible ‘Grand Canyon’ being particular highlights.
Act IV, showcased some of the more upbeat, heavier and more familiar to the audience tracks. ‘Conditions of my Parole’ and ‘Man Overboard’ from the Conditions of My Parole album, ‘Money Shot’ from the newest release and the stunning ‘The Humbling River’ from the “C” Is For (Please Insert Sophomoric Genitalia Reference HERE) EP making up the Act, ending the set with ‘Autumn’.
The combination of Keenan’s creative force, excellent musicians and a bit of old fashioned theatre made for an excellent show. Experiencing Puscifer’s first show in Manchester and the UK was a privilege, far from being an ego trip or a distracting side-project Puscifer are an captivating and unique musical experience.
