A Perfect Circle
I’m stunned by the security measures that are taken: everybody has to walk through gates to be searched, telephones and even smoking are not allowed in the venue, on behalf of the band. The very few photographers that are allowed get a pass with the description: ‘By wearing this pass I promise NOT to use flash photography….. Or Maynard has my permission to hit me in the eye with a water bottle!’. This is the what Tool’s singer is notorious for: he is demanding…. Very demanding. But in retrospect I have to say that every time I’ve seen him perform live, he also demands the most of himself and gives the very best. And this concert is no exception. Even though we can only photograph for two songs and Maynard is behind a curtain for one of them… mannnn!!! When the curtain drops the man covers his face with his hands, holding the microphone. It’s so hard to get his face on photo. And that’s exactly the one thing you want, because it shows all the emotion of their beautiful and well composed songs. Everybody is surprised by his very long dark hair: two years ago he was still bold. Is this man on a special diet or can we presume it’s a wig?

After two songs from their latest album The Thirteenth Step, the songs from their debut Mer de Noms hit the crowd. Very interesting (or should I say annoying?) is that you would expect the crowd to be actual music lovers. Nothing is further from the truth. A bunch of nu-metal wannabees show no respect for the music at all. At the most fragile parts, the music is brutally interrupted by a feast of blabbing about beer and who has the biggest hangover. My God!!! Do these morons really think anyone in this venue is interested? By the time it’s really irritating, one guy asks politely if they can please be quiet or maybe better move to the back of the venue. They let it be clear that they rather punch him in the face. And so a couple of no-brain wannabees ruin the best of the concert from one of the best bands. And they don’t even realise how they’ve exposed themselves… definitely not heavy. I realise that a band like A Perfect Circle creates music that is intelligent and delicate. You actually have to listen and feel and have an attention span that’s longer then an average MTV commercial. Obviously not suitable for the common bonehead’s friday night.

Very pitiful, because the quality of the sound was very good, as you might expect from perfectionists like APC. But also the songs… the way these guys are able to hit the notes precisely, without losing the soul of the song or being predictable. But especially the way Maynard can bring back the emotion in a song the way it was intended in the first place. At some points it really gives me goose bumps and I can feel tears burn behind my eyes. Attention goes out to former Smashing Pumpkins guitarist James Iha, who also sings a short and funny song, interrupted by Mister T. from the A-team, who’s alleged to be backstage giving comments. At one point Maynard gets rid of his shirt and the spine tattooed on his back shows. Damn him, for not letting photographers shoot this one, because it’s superb. APC plays almost al of their material. Inspired and wonderful. And at the end there’s “Judith”. The sold out venue is moving, singing along, left to be stunned. This was truly a memorable concert….

Most memorable to me however is the day after… Out of some subconscious respect for Maynards phobia of photography I managed to ruin my film. Oh my God!!! In all these years, all these festivals and concerts this has never happened to me!! And now it happens here… on this special occasion. So I’m very sorry for the lack of pics. You can’t imagine how sorry I am!!!!

(Review & Pics: Marcia Gransbergen)