SESSANTA – LIVE – SOUTHERN NEW HAMPSHIRE UNIVERSITY ARENA

It’s been just over a year since the powerhouse tour Sessanta came through New England. Last time, we caught the show at Foxwoods Casino in Connecticut. Sessanta, which means “60” in Italian, celebrated Maynard James Keenan’s 60th birthday in 2024. To mark the occasion, Keenan invited some of his closest musical collaborators: A Perfect Circle, Puscifer, and Primus.

We’re happy to say the celebration didn’t end there. In 2025, Keenan continued the party with Sessanta 2.0, once again joined by A Perfect Circle, Puscifer, and Primus to mark his 61st birthday.

What made the Sessanta tour stand out—beyond the sheer talent on stage—was the way the show was designed. The bands took turns, each playing three or four songs before rotating, creating a seamless, dynamic setlist that lasted more than two hours.

These transitions were pulled off flawlessly thanks to a cleverly designed stage. A second-level platform held three fully set-up drum kits, while the main stage was equipped with all the guitars and basses needed for the night. There were no teardowns, no setups, and no soundchecks between sets—just continuous, uninterrupted music.

Photos Kerri Nelson

And since it was a birthday celebration, thoughtful party elements were part of the experience. Both the original tour and the 2.0 version featured sweet treats, couches for the bands to relax on, and quirky activities for everyone to enjoy. The vibe felt like a real birthday bash, shared with thousands of fans.

The first Sessanta tour was such a success that in the fall of 2024, it was announced the trio would return for another six-week run. Northern New England fans were thrilled to see a May 14, 2025 date added at the SNHU Arena in Manchester, New Hampshire, giving Keenan the chance to celebrate once more with a packed house.

Fans began filing into the arena around 6:30 p.m., some carrying custom merch they had picked up at various stands around the venue. Each Sessanta show featured limited-edition artwork specific to that date. The bands offered exclusive posters and shirts only available at the show, making each item a true collector’s piece. These were one-of-a-kind mementos, owned only by those who attended.

For the SNHU Arena show, the special Sessanta poster and shirt were designed by Gregg Gordon of GIGART. The artwork featured vintage horror icons like Dracula, the Wolfman, and the Mummy, among other classic creatures. Each tour date had its own artist, giving talented designers a platform to showcase their work to thousands of fans.

As 8 p.m. approached, announcements played over the speakers and venue screens, reminding the audience this would be a screen-free show. For fans familiar with past Sessanta performances or Keenan’s philosophy, the request wasn’t surprising. The goal was to keep everyone present and fully connected to the music—not watching through a phone screen.

Photos Kerri Nelson

At the stroke of 8, the stage screens lit up with a humorous fake commercial for Spam. The spoof suggested the mystery meat was made from people who used their phones during concerts. It was a tongue-in-cheek but effective way to remind the crowd that phone use wasn’t permitted—and to stay immersed in the experience.

As the video faded and the screen transitioned to the image of A Perfect Circle, the gritty, industrial guitars and pounding drums of “Counting Bodies Like Sheep to the Rhythm of the War Drums” roared through the arena.

Keenan paused briefly to speak to the crowd, echoing the sentiment of the earlier announcements and promising that there would be an opportunity to use phones at the end of the night. Until then, he encouraged everyone to stay present. He then launched into “Disillusioned,” a song that speaks to our collective obsession with technology and the need to disconnect in order to truly connect.

At first, it was strange to look around and not see a sea of glowing screens. But that initial discomfort quickly gave way to something beautiful—being fully in the moment with thousands of people, experiencing the music together in real time.

The stage lights opened with warm tones as Keenan sang:

“Time to put the silicon obsession down
Take a look around, find a way in the silence
Lie supine away with your back to the ground
Dis- and re-connect to the resonance now
You were never an island
Unique voice among the many
In this choir tuning into each other
Lift all higher…”

The lighting shifted from warm hues to cool tones, mirroring the emotional shift in the room. In that moment, everyone felt connected. The only sound was Keenan’s voice. You could hear a pin drop—no one was talking, no one was distracted. It was a rare and powerful stillness that underscored the magic of live music when experienced together and without distraction.

From there, the band continued to weave a spell with their carefully curated setlist. Songs like “The Contrarian” and “The Doomed” showcased their ability to balance melodic beauty with sharp social commentary. “Weak and Powerless” sparked a surge of emotion as fans sang along to one of their most vulnerable and recognizable tracks.

A Perfect Circle came together at the turn of the millennium when guitarist Billy Howerdel, a former tech for bands like Nine Inch Nails and Tool, shared some of his own compositions with Maynard James Keenan. Keenan was so taken by the material that he offered to sing on it, and just like that, the two began building what would become A Perfect Circle. Their debut album, Mer de Noms, dropped in 2000 and immediately stood out—dark, cinematic, and emotionally layered. They followed it up in 2003 with Thirteenth Step, a haunting exploration of addiction, recovery, and the human psyche.

In 2004, they released eMOTIVe, a bold collection of politically charged cover songs that reimagined classics through a moody, atmospheric lens. After a long hiatus, the band returned in 2018 with Eat the Elephant, a more piano-driven, introspective album that reflected on technology, modern disconnection, and the state of the world. Through every release, the chemistry between Howerdel’s lush instrumentation and Keenan’s unmistakable voice remains the heart of it all.

A Perfect Circle closed their first rotation with “Blue.” The lights dimmed once more—only to erupt into vibrant pinks and greens as the screens lit up with a new image: Primus. The tone shifted entirely.

Primus dove straight into “Those Damn Blue-Collar Tweekers,” “Groundhog’s Day,” and “Here Comes the Bastards,” pulling the audience into their bizarre and brilliant sonic universe. It was a definite shift from the moody tones of A Perfect Circle into the eccentric world of Primus. Their set was pure eccentricity—a flavor of rock that’s entirely their own. You can’t box Primus into a genre. Their music is cartoonish, exaggerated, and surreal, more like twisted animation than traditional music videos.

But don’t mistake Primus for a novelty act. They’re wildly talented—especially frontman Les Claypool, whose bass skills are jaw-dropping. Watching his hands fly across the fretboard as he nails every complex note with precision is truly captivating.

Primus broke through in the early ’90s with Frizzle Fry, Sailing the Seas of Cheese, and Pork Soda. They quickly developed a cult following thanks to offbeat tracks like “Jerry Was a Racecar Driver,” “Too Many Puppies,” and “Welcome to This World”—all featured in their 10-song set.

The standout was “My Name Is Mud” from Pork Soda. Arguably their most recognizable track, it’s known for its catchy slap-bass riff and darkly comedic video, telling the tale of a country boy named Mud who kills a city slicker and buries him in a shallow grave. The eccentric lyrics and Claypool’s delivery perfectly encapsulate what makes Primus so uniquely… Primus.

The screens lit up once again—time for Puscifer. Acting as the connective tissue between A Perfect Circle and Primus, Puscifer tied the lineup together in a surprisingly cohesive way. Their blend of electronic and industrial soundscapes paired with theatrical visuals was the perfect bridge. Longtime collaborator Carina Round added her haunting vocals and magnetic presence, elevating the performance even further.

They opened with “Man Overboard,” followed by a remixed version of “Indigo Children” and “Tiny Monsters.” What began as a fictional band for Mr. Show in the ’90s evolved into a full- fledged project by 2007 with the release of “V” Is for Vagina. Since then, they’ve released multiple albums exploring layered soundscapes, surreal visuals, and comedic skits.

Each band rotated through another set of three to four songs, with frequent collaborations. One standout was Primus performing their new track “Little Lord Fentanyl,” which features both Primus and Puscifer. Naturally, Keenan joined Claypool onstage, and the chemistry was electric.

Throughout the night, bands performed Sessanta-specific tracks from The Sessanta E.P.P.P.—a bold statement of collaboration and creativity. From Puscifer’s haunting “No Angel” to Primus’ politically charged “Pablo’s Hippos” (featuring Keenan), and A Perfect Circle’s brooding “Kindred,” each track reflected the band’s distinct identity while fitting seamlessly into the larger vision.

There were so many memorable moments. Les Claypool donned a pig mask and rode a motorized stair lift while others performed. Bandmates played ping pong mid-set. Musicians took turns filming each other. Some lounged on couches, visibly enjoying one another’s performances. And, of course, a cake was wheeled out so Keenan could blow out a candle. This wasn’t just a tour—it was a group of friends celebrating the music they made together, and the camaraderie and joy were felt by every fan in the room.

The grand finale began with A Perfect Circle’s “Judith,” a raw and intense anthem that remains one of their most iconic. Primus followed with an epic, 13-minute rendition of “Southbound Pachyderm,” with Claypool wearing a disco ball motorcycle helmet. Equal parts bizarre and brilliant.

Puscifer closed out the night with “Grand Canyon,” bringing all three bands onstage. Phones lit up the venue for the first time, capturing the magical moment. Each band is powerful on its own, but together, they created a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

There is so much to come from all three bands. Primus is heading out on a headlining tour this summer, Puscifer has a new album in the works, and Billy Howerdel has hinted at new A Perfect Circle material. If you get the chance to see Sessanta live, don’t miss it. It’s a celebration of artistry, connection, and musical chemistry that only comes around once in a great while.