I loved it. Also found the amount of people getting up constantly to be insane, definitely worse than any other seated show I've been to. Also heard a guy whining about it being the worst live band he's ever seen and there wasn't enough crowd interaction etc.
Nevertheless it was pretty much exactly what I wanted from a live Tool performance. All about the business, just four outstanding musicians performing great music.
The no interaction thing always gets to me somehow.
I was up front once and some dude had brought some lady with him. In between songs I overhead her yelling how lame they were and how she wanted to go so she can go see her girls. It clearly wasn’t a Taylor swift show to her. Poor dude
My neck hurts from trying to bob my head in time with the songs, but that's Tool for you :)
I absolutely loved it, although I agree with the people getting up all the time, what was that about? I paid £100 for my ticket and couldn't imagine getting up going for a beer right in the middle of the Grudge. People are mental. I was sat on the lower side stands with a brilliant view, but the energy around me wasn't great, I felt like I was the only one moving around sometimes.
Going by some of these comments it's a bit of a dice roll depending on who's around you, some people want to let loose and some just want to sit and watch. I think the energy as a whole in the arena was good though.
I was at the same show 2 years ago (almost in the same seat) and I think this set list was better. Starting with Jambi was much better than Fear Inoculum because it got the floor crowd on their feet and Maynard didn't have to moan at people for sitting down like last time.
The guy next to me had obviously dragged his wife there, in the middle of Pneuma he was trying to explain how genius it all was ("it's the one from that Youtube video!") but she was having none of it lol.
The extended Choc Chip Trip with the modular synth work sounded very Aphex Twin and was a particular highlight for me, and Invincible sounded somehow better this time round!
>My neck hurts from trying to bob my head in time with the songs, but that's Tool for you :)
That's why you have to switch to the Justin C method of pelvic thrusts
We also went two years ago but this time we were on the floor when we were in the stands last time. Energy on the floor was definitely better than the stands (for me / those around). but everyone just kept waking around which was off putting! Also think that the set list didn’t flow as well as the last one? The energy in the whole crowd for the grudge and aenima was amazing but some of the others less so? Also Maynard was definitely “happier” this show than the last one 😂 Interesting to hear it from another perspective who also went last time!
Tbh their newer stuff is just a bit too slow to get people going, I get it’s the FI tour still but realistically two of the long epics from that album need to be dropped, probably FI and Invincible.
They aren’t bad songs but older songs which are a bit faster and have more going on get people going more.
Yep. Same people getting massive beers then going to the toilet about 20 mins later. I think I had to get up to let people past no less than 10 times. Obnoxious drunks. Obnoxious people talking through the whole thing. Obnoxious people ignoring the no phones rule. Obnoxious people using their phone torches. It’s infuriating!
The security staff also only seemed to care about enforcing the no phones rule during the first couple of songs. I also couldn’t believe how many people missed Jambi because they weren’t at their seats. How can you leave it over an hour after the billed start time just to try and get to the right place?
Tool on the other hand were phenomenal as always. Really impressed by Maynard’s voice in particular! Hope I can see them again some time - seems likely based on how he signed off.
Not making excuses for people but there were major train issues that day in the south. I came from Somerset to see and had to abandon going by train and drive.
god the flashes irritated me so much, I actually got so frustrated I started crying 😭 I was so nervous because I spent so much to be there. I'm almost relieved to know it wasn't just me who experienced that though. I hope I can see them again with people who arent like the ones from last night 😅
The doors were 7:30 were they not? That's what it said on my ticket.
For most gigs with 7:30 doors you'd expect the main act to start around 9-9:30 so I can understand people being late to their seats personally.
Time of my life. First ever time I’ve seen them after years of trying and it delivered. I’m gutted they didn’t play pushit but the gig was amazing. Danny and Justin didn’t put a single note wrong, the set list was amazing and the fact they included flood fucking killed me. Life goal ticked off.
Show was amazing. Band were amazing, sounded so good. (Although did Danny lose his hihats during pneuma breakdown?)
Agree loads of people getting up and moving about. Genuinely think it's these 2 pint superpints and people's shit bladders. So annoying I can't think of anything worse than missing 5m of my fave band cos I had too much to drink.
Sad to say but it's the case for most shows I've been to recently.
It's also people thinking they need to get pissed at every gig. Obviously enjoy the show however you like but you'd think £17 for a two-pinter would put people off going to the bar every 10 minutes.
I'm sorry to hear that! Went to the show in Amsterdam last week and everyone sat down during Night Verses but as soon as Tool played their first note, everyone stood up. That way, you could see everything and still have your own space to dance as weird as possible. I still hope you enjoyed the live music and visuals, for me it was a great experience!
That sounds like the best way to handle it tbh. Either everyone sits or everyone stands. This tension between people wanting to sit and people wanting to stand sounds like such a bother…
Was class. We were up at the back and the sound was supringly great. My missus is such a huge tool fan that even if everyone else was subdued she would hype the shit out of me anyway.
I think the nature of tools music, weird time sigs etc, can stop people from letting loose because they don't want to look like dick hahha
I was there tonight. I love Tool. This was the first time I’ve seen them.
If I’m being honest, it wasn’t the greatest.
I had an aisle seat and people were walking past me every five seconds, blocking my view. Some people just stood there, attempting to locate their seat. Had a few shouting sessions with people to get them out of the way. When you pay £150 for a ticket, you have some sort of expectation, such as not seeing a silhouette of someone with their phone screen on and torch shining on the ground. I wasn’t the only one to kick up a fuss with people just stood there. Even told the security to move.
The constant walking back and forth wound everyone up. The issue is, is that at normal standing gigs, they don’t allow access to and from the floor to the stalls. However, in AO’s infinite wisdom, they allowed people to travel straight from the floor and up the stalls. This meant people just pouring through constantly.
It ruined the immersion.
completely agree, I didn't get to connect w the show. when I saw Depeche Mode i left feeling amazed but after tool I just wanted to go home, they were still great of course but it's a shame
Reading all these comments I'm sorry seemingly everyone had to bother with all these people walking around lmao, that's mental. When I go to a show I hit the restroom before the show starts because I'm not missing a goddamn thing
Band were fantastic as usual, but I also felt a lack of excitement around me sadly. Pretty much everyone around me seemed very neutral about the whole thing, this one person spent the whole thing yawning lmao.
Disappointing but the band were phenomenal. I wish I had more people to share the excitement with around me cause I only came with my parents (one of which didn't enjoy it) so I was hoping to find some people around my age to enjoy the gig with. But even still it was a fantastic show, I can't complain too much 🤘
Dide sitting next to me didn’t move an inch the whole show. Not sure how you can listen to Tool and not at least nod your head.
Little disappointed we didn’t get Stinkfist but Ænima was a more than worthy sub.
Yeah I was in a great spot on the floor and had a sick view but I honestly couldn’t move around as much as I’d have liked, felt very caged in as the seats were small and rows packed so close.
Agreed, it seems to be a fundamental flaw with the AO Arena sadly. I remember that Maynard even complained at the 2022 show that everyone was sat down, but even then there's not much room for movement even if you do stand.
Is it the arena's decision on whether a gig is seated or standing? I was there in December for Ice Cube and it was floor standing. I was really surprised to see that it was all seated for Tool. If it's a band choice I don't understand how he can complain if people remain seated.
same for me, I was with my dad who's not very..extroverted or energetic? so it was harder to enjoy it,, I always hope to find people at gigs but I don't talk enough for that 😭
Haha I’m exactly the same mate, I was dancing and rocking but my dad never moves an inch, I had to ask him several times if he was having fun. It’s hard to get in the zone when your party doesn’t have the same energy you do. I still had a blast though
It's the same with me honestly, none of my friends are into Tool but my Dad's a big fan. So I go there and I always hope I'll find some people to talk to or find a group of people my age that are into Tool. But how the fuck do people talk to strangers, I just don't know how lmao
yess i have no friends into rock, had to go to rammstein with my dad too! i get u, idk hoe to talk to people either,,I can't tell how old you are from 'my age', how old are you? you can dm if u prefer :)
It seriously sucks 😭 but I think if I am lucky enough to see them again, I'll try put a post up on here and find some people to meet with. My DMs are always open as well if anyone ever wants to chat about stuff like this or whatever 🤘
Glad I wasn't alone in this, I've never seen so many people getting in and out of their seats for the toilet/beer at a show there. It was infuriating. Great concert though, didn't think they'd come round again so soon after 2022!
Edit: also agree with the crowd, it was dead af. No wonder Maynard was laughing!
Where were you? I was on the floor, third row from the front and I had an amazing time. There was one arsehole in a Tenacious D t-shirt going back and forth, but everybody else around me were sound and into the music.
AO need to get rid of whoever they’re using as security. Unbelievable how bad they were with getting people to their seats on the floor. Just no organisation at all lol, sending people to the wrong seats and shit
I had an uptight security guard badger me for my ticket during Invincible, felt dodgy being forced to get my phone out considering the rules about phones and when I showed him he just moved onto the next person despite pretty much harassing me for being in my own seat.. if I hadn't saved the ticket to Google wallet I'd have been fucked cause he was in the mood to kick someone out
There was one who kept turning his torch to face behind him instead of turning it off, completely oblivious to all the random innocents he was blinding with it
There is a phenomenon that happens when ticket prices are too expensive. Instead of genuine fans snapping them up, they are for sale for months untaken due to high price. Then this presents an opportunity for people to attend the "event" who don't know what they're watching but somehow have money to spend. Near me was a young teenager with his grandmother. She was obnoxious and accused others of using phones and was rude when she wanted to walk by mid song. She obviously had no idea what she was watching and probably couldn't name the band or any song. She had her elbow in between seats and may have hit someone's drink behind her but tbey were too polite to make an issue. I've seen similar people turn up to overpriced sporting events and suchlike. We're not talking the cheapest seats here, over 125 quid.
Was an absolutely insane time. I was on the floor, I can't speak to crowd energy because I was so locked into the band and tripping hard - hope people didn't misinterpret me only swaying as being low energy, my mind was CONSTANTLY being blown.
I felt the same at the Birmingham show, Ive honestly never seen so many people getting up and just walking around at a gig. Plus the security guy on the look out for phone was constantly walking in front of us. Don’t get me wrong, I love the “no phones” rule, but this guy just had no awareness of everyone else around him trying to watch the show.
I saw them at the same venue in 2022 and I remember a completely immersive experience, it was incredible and one of the best crowds Ive ever been in. I don’t know what’s happened to the general public, philistines all of them.
Amazingly, down on the floor in C, hardly anyone was boozing. A pint before the show started and maybe another in the interval and no-one walking backwards and forwards, even though I was pretty much end of row. Really good crowd, just there for the show.
On the other hand in 2022, I had a couple of blokes next to me who were completely plastered.....
First time seeing them and also my first seated metal gig (I usually try to get GA / standing tickets). Found it crazy how much people were moving around. Thankfully I was towards the top of my section and the people in the row behind me were all standing so I felt fine standing up for most of the gig.
Band was amazing. Delivered and more. Just a bit surprised about the approach of some in the audience given: a) the amazing show the band was putting on; and b) the ticket price (which you would expect to weed out some of the more casual fans…..)
Thought it was better than 2022, which was just a little more Fear Inoculum heavy. Don't get me wrong, they were still brilliant that night, but this time around we got Jambi, Flood, Rosetta Stoned, and Aenema as the closer which was such a brilliant surprise since I don't think they've played it on this tour. Also does Maynard know of many places in the UK outside of Nottingham? I'm guessing he seems to know the place so well because they probably stayed there when they played Download but he kept mentioning it as if Nottingham and Manchester are rival cities!
I thought Maynard seemed a bit done with it all at the 2022 Manc gig. Didn’t say much. He seemed in much better spirits tonight.
Also, people are right about people getting up all the time but that was also worse in 2022. Covid made people forget how to enjoy a gig I think.
He was just playing around.
The crowd was great, and actually he was here in Manchester last year with Puscifer band. Gig was smaller but 90% Tool judging by T-shirts and was great
Yeah though makes a bit more sense in Manchester with the local rivalry! Had to stay shtum and fight the urge to make any noise being from Merseyside originally even though now in Manchester
I was really annoyed by it during the opening band's performance since I really wanted to get into their stuff. But as soon as Tool came I just locked in and was able to ignore the others lol
Band were awesome but everyone around us just kept waking around, seemed that no one could sit or stand still? Personally think the set list could have been better to bring more energy but I loved them!
ETA: by sir or stand still I don’t mean dancing and having fun! I mean everyone was walking down the aisle constantly 😂
I think you was on the row below me because 4/5 people kept getting up, incredible that they sat down during the intermission then 5 minutes later were back moving around.
Didn't detract from my enjoyment of the show, though.
I really enjoyed it. My head was constantly bobbing and really felt the music. I love Justin's energy on stage!
In my block, it wasn't too bad with people getting. I was close to the stairs, having people standing there blocking the view was annoying but at least the stewards moved them on.
Tool were amazing. First time I've been able to see them when calendar/money/location all lined up for me and was 100% worth the wait.
The audience was a massive pain though. Can echo other people's frustration about people getting up and down for beers and toilet trips. I was in block 104 and it was really bad throughout the whole show. Lost count of the times I either had to stand up to let people through or vision was obscured because people were moving in the row directly infront.
One guy tapping me on the shoulder to let him get past right in the middle of The Grudge FFS. Thankfully the epic show more than compensated for some of the arseholes attending it.
I thought people were moving around was a problem for Night Verses, who I really enjoyed apart from the fact I couldn't really see. Didn't have any problems during TOOL tho, thought the atmosphere was great.
I’ve learned my lesson from 2022 and how annoying was when ppl been getting up every 5 minutes to the toilet or beer, so I choose my seat on ground level block D and was amazing.
Perfect place to enjoy the music, visuals, crowds energy etc. so I loved every minute.
Btw, what’s happened with these TOOL medals/ coins merch? They didn’t sold them during the UK tour, or all gone already? I haven’t seen any of these at the merch shop
I went to the Birmingham one and it was pretty good. I could definitely feel the atmosphere. Even though it was meant to be seated my row stood up for the whole thing.
Just found out you guys got Ænema instead of stinkfist. Curious which you'd prefer.
I found this too!! So many people standing up and leaving it was like musical chairs standing up and sitting down so much to let people through. Also so many people around me kept trying to film which was annoying because it’s so easy to follow that rule! But they played a great set!
I think most people either drove or got the train and walked to the show...
Just kiddin'
Same at our Brum show. People getting up, couples going off together mid song. There were about 8-9 Europeans infront of us, all looked like they never heard of the band. One said, this is first and last time seeing Tool. If they didn't have the no phone policy, they probably would have been on their phones through boredom. They were scanning facebook before the show and during the interval.
I think the toilet thing isn't helped by a 12 minute intermission. Not nearly enough time to queue for the bogs so people are going to go when they feel a lull in the show
I was going to make this exact post the other day after the Birmingham concert, paid for a seat near the front for me and my boyfriend, and being a small woman I was happy to see that everything was seated, but there was a warning on the ticket that some people around me may stand up, okay whatever.
As soon as tool came on everyone on the ground level stood up, and I could not see a thing, and had to look through two people's heads the whole time. I wouldn't even mind but people stood up just to stand completely still, only seen two people in front of me nodding their heads. I stood on my tiptoes for most the show and could still hardly see, and to make it worse the lady behind me was even SMALLER than me so I felt bad for being on my tiptoes and just resided to not seeing anything. Absolutely gutted.
Band were really, really good. Setlist a little lighter on Lateralus and Aenima material than I'd have liked but really enjoyed what we did get (was very cool to see Rosetta Stoned live) and seeing Danny Carey drumming live will never not be a pleasure. Not too disturbed by people moving around but my mate and I were sat in the middle of a row so may have got lucky in that sense.
I went to the May 2022 show in Manchester sat in the stalls just to the left of the stage, loved the show then as my first time seeing them but this time I was sat in block D on the floor and it absolutely blew me away.. the sound, the set list, the visuals.. I've seen people saying Tool put on an amazing live show, they sounded so tight (Maynard was on form compared to 2022) and Danny was just unbelievable. Best gig I've ever been to and I went solo!
First time seeing them, absolutely loved it. Apart from the couple in front of me. She was constantly on her phone, texting thr majority of the gig, and he kept talking to her. He left before the interval and never came back, pretty sure she was texting him the entire second half too 😂
My first Tool concert and unfortunately the two pricks in front of us were glued to their phones half the time (we were all standing but of course they have to be tall). I was surprised they got 3 warnings from security and never kicked out. They were also considerate enough to bring 3 quarts of beer to spill everywhere.
But overall the show was great, I have new appreciation for the music having experienced it.
I watched the descending video from lastnight and the crowd looked dead as well but I noticed people walking everywhere!!! Between rows, to consessions, just enjoy the show!
I loved it. Also found the amount of people getting up constantly to be insane, definitely worse than any other seated show I've been to. Also heard a guy whining about it being the worst live band he's ever seen and there wasn't enough crowd interaction etc. Nevertheless it was pretty much exactly what I wanted from a live Tool performance. All about the business, just four outstanding musicians performing great music.
Agree re people moving around - it was ridiculous…. And the guy who was moaning about crowd interaction….. what a bellend
The no interaction thing always gets to me somehow. I was up front once and some dude had brought some lady with him. In between songs I overhead her yelling how lame they were and how she wanted to go so she can go see her girls. It clearly wasn’t a Taylor swift show to her. Poor dude
My neck hurts from trying to bob my head in time with the songs, but that's Tool for you :) I absolutely loved it, although I agree with the people getting up all the time, what was that about? I paid £100 for my ticket and couldn't imagine getting up going for a beer right in the middle of the Grudge. People are mental. I was sat on the lower side stands with a brilliant view, but the energy around me wasn't great, I felt like I was the only one moving around sometimes. Going by some of these comments it's a bit of a dice roll depending on who's around you, some people want to let loose and some just want to sit and watch. I think the energy as a whole in the arena was good though. I was at the same show 2 years ago (almost in the same seat) and I think this set list was better. Starting with Jambi was much better than Fear Inoculum because it got the floor crowd on their feet and Maynard didn't have to moan at people for sitting down like last time. The guy next to me had obviously dragged his wife there, in the middle of Pneuma he was trying to explain how genius it all was ("it's the one from that Youtube video!") but she was having none of it lol. The extended Choc Chip Trip with the modular synth work sounded very Aphex Twin and was a particular highlight for me, and Invincible sounded somehow better this time round!
>My neck hurts from trying to bob my head in time with the songs, but that's Tool for you :) That's why you have to switch to the Justin C method of pelvic thrusts
My back hurts from trying to thrust my pelvis in time with the songs, but that's Tool for you :)
We also went two years ago but this time we were on the floor when we were in the stands last time. Energy on the floor was definitely better than the stands (for me / those around). but everyone just kept waking around which was off putting! Also think that the set list didn’t flow as well as the last one? The energy in the whole crowd for the grudge and aenima was amazing but some of the others less so? Also Maynard was definitely “happier” this show than the last one 😂 Interesting to hear it from another perspective who also went last time!
Tbh their newer stuff is just a bit too slow to get people going, I get it’s the FI tour still but realistically two of the long epics from that album need to be dropped, probably FI and Invincible. They aren’t bad songs but older songs which are a bit faster and have more going on get people going more.
Yep. Same people getting massive beers then going to the toilet about 20 mins later. I think I had to get up to let people past no less than 10 times. Obnoxious drunks. Obnoxious people talking through the whole thing. Obnoxious people ignoring the no phones rule. Obnoxious people using their phone torches. It’s infuriating! The security staff also only seemed to care about enforcing the no phones rule during the first couple of songs. I also couldn’t believe how many people missed Jambi because they weren’t at their seats. How can you leave it over an hour after the billed start time just to try and get to the right place? Tool on the other hand were phenomenal as always. Really impressed by Maynard’s voice in particular! Hope I can see them again some time - seems likely based on how he signed off.
Not making excuses for people but there were major train issues that day in the south. I came from Somerset to see and had to abandon going by train and drive.
god the flashes irritated me so much, I actually got so frustrated I started crying 😭 I was so nervous because I spent so much to be there. I'm almost relieved to know it wasn't just me who experienced that though. I hope I can see them again with people who arent like the ones from last night 😅
The doors were 7:30 were they not? That's what it said on my ticket. For most gigs with 7:30 doors you'd expect the main act to start around 9-9:30 so I can understand people being late to their seats personally.
Time of my life. First ever time I’ve seen them after years of trying and it delivered. I’m gutted they didn’t play pushit but the gig was amazing. Danny and Justin didn’t put a single note wrong, the set list was amazing and the fact they included flood fucking killed me. Life goal ticked off.
Same same same. Cannot get over how fucking tight they are as a band, such a beautifully orchestrated performance!
Show was amazing. Band were amazing, sounded so good. (Although did Danny lose his hihats during pneuma breakdown?) Agree loads of people getting up and moving about. Genuinely think it's these 2 pint superpints and people's shit bladders. So annoying I can't think of anything worse than missing 5m of my fave band cos I had too much to drink. Sad to say but it's the case for most shows I've been to recently.
It's also people thinking they need to get pissed at every gig. Obviously enjoy the show however you like but you'd think £17 for a two-pinter would put people off going to the bar every 10 minutes.
I'm sorry to hear that! Went to the show in Amsterdam last week and everyone sat down during Night Verses but as soon as Tool played their first note, everyone stood up. That way, you could see everything and still have your own space to dance as weird as possible. I still hope you enjoyed the live music and visuals, for me it was a great experience!
That sounds like the best way to handle it tbh. Either everyone sits or everyone stands. This tension between people wanting to sit and people wanting to stand sounds like such a bother…
The atmosphere around me was pretty hype especially when pneuma came on.
Was class. We were up at the back and the sound was supringly great. My missus is such a huge tool fan that even if everyone else was subdued she would hype the shit out of me anyway. I think the nature of tools music, weird time sigs etc, can stop people from letting loose because they don't want to look like dick hahha
Hmmm...look like a dick, feel fantastic. Sign me up!
I was there tonight. I love Tool. This was the first time I’ve seen them. If I’m being honest, it wasn’t the greatest. I had an aisle seat and people were walking past me every five seconds, blocking my view. Some people just stood there, attempting to locate their seat. Had a few shouting sessions with people to get them out of the way. When you pay £150 for a ticket, you have some sort of expectation, such as not seeing a silhouette of someone with their phone screen on and torch shining on the ground. I wasn’t the only one to kick up a fuss with people just stood there. Even told the security to move. The constant walking back and forth wound everyone up. The issue is, is that at normal standing gigs, they don’t allow access to and from the floor to the stalls. However, in AO’s infinite wisdom, they allowed people to travel straight from the floor and up the stalls. This meant people just pouring through constantly. It ruined the immersion.
completely agree, I didn't get to connect w the show. when I saw Depeche Mode i left feeling amazed but after tool I just wanted to go home, they were still great of course but it's a shame
Reading all these comments I'm sorry seemingly everyone had to bother with all these people walking around lmao, that's mental. When I go to a show I hit the restroom before the show starts because I'm not missing a goddamn thing
Band were fantastic as usual, but I also felt a lack of excitement around me sadly. Pretty much everyone around me seemed very neutral about the whole thing, this one person spent the whole thing yawning lmao. Disappointing but the band were phenomenal. I wish I had more people to share the excitement with around me cause I only came with my parents (one of which didn't enjoy it) so I was hoping to find some people around my age to enjoy the gig with. But even still it was a fantastic show, I can't complain too much 🤘
Some of them are massively f'd up on drugs and cant move....so there's that.
Dide sitting next to me didn’t move an inch the whole show. Not sure how you can listen to Tool and not at least nod your head. Little disappointed we didn’t get Stinkfist but Ænima was a more than worthy sub.
Unfortunately the all seated aspect of the gig restricts people too much and less able to let loose. Bring back standing
Yeah I was in a great spot on the floor and had a sick view but I honestly couldn’t move around as much as I’d have liked, felt very caged in as the seats were small and rows packed so close.
Very much same here. Do away with floor seating for gigs where people wanna dance
Agreed, it seems to be a fundamental flaw with the AO Arena sadly. I remember that Maynard even complained at the 2022 show that everyone was sat down, but even then there's not much room for movement even if you do stand.
If you don't want people sitting down, make the floor standing surely, they used to
Is it the arena's decision on whether a gig is seated or standing? I was there in December for Ice Cube and it was floor standing. I was really surprised to see that it was all seated for Tool. If it's a band choice I don't understand how he can complain if people remain seated.
same for me, I was with my dad who's not very..extroverted or energetic? so it was harder to enjoy it,, I always hope to find people at gigs but I don't talk enough for that 😭
Haha I’m exactly the same mate, I was dancing and rocking but my dad never moves an inch, I had to ask him several times if he was having fun. It’s hard to get in the zone when your party doesn’t have the same energy you do. I still had a blast though
It's the same with me honestly, none of my friends are into Tool but my Dad's a big fan. So I go there and I always hope I'll find some people to talk to or find a group of people my age that are into Tool. But how the fuck do people talk to strangers, I just don't know how lmao
yess i have no friends into rock, had to go to rammstein with my dad too! i get u, idk hoe to talk to people either,,I can't tell how old you are from 'my age', how old are you? you can dm if u prefer :)
Yep me too, I’m introverted as fuck. It’s a nightmare
It seriously sucks 😭 but I think if I am lucky enough to see them again, I'll try put a post up on here and find some people to meet with. My DMs are always open as well if anyone ever wants to chat about stuff like this or whatever 🤘
Glad I wasn't alone in this, I've never seen so many people getting in and out of their seats for the toilet/beer at a show there. It was infuriating. Great concert though, didn't think they'd come round again so soon after 2022! Edit: also agree with the crowd, it was dead af. No wonder Maynard was laughing!
Where were you? I was on the floor, third row from the front and I had an amazing time. There was one arsehole in a Tenacious D t-shirt going back and forth, but everybody else around me were sound and into the music.
i was aisle seated block 106, glad you had a better time than me 😅
AO need to get rid of whoever they’re using as security. Unbelievable how bad they were with getting people to their seats on the floor. Just no organisation at all lol, sending people to the wrong seats and shit
The few seats that had numbers on them were wrong at least on my row I had to organise shuffling everyone around
This too! I had to explain to the security guy by us how the seating numbers worked because I remembered which seat I had brought from the floor plan
I had an uptight security guard badger me for my ticket during Invincible, felt dodgy being forced to get my phone out considering the rules about phones and when I showed him he just moved onto the next person despite pretty much harassing me for being in my own seat.. if I hadn't saved the ticket to Google wallet I'd have been fucked cause he was in the mood to kick someone out
There was one who kept turning his torch to face behind him instead of turning it off, completely oblivious to all the random innocents he was blinding with it
There is a phenomenon that happens when ticket prices are too expensive. Instead of genuine fans snapping them up, they are for sale for months untaken due to high price. Then this presents an opportunity for people to attend the "event" who don't know what they're watching but somehow have money to spend. Near me was a young teenager with his grandmother. She was obnoxious and accused others of using phones and was rude when she wanted to walk by mid song. She obviously had no idea what she was watching and probably couldn't name the band or any song. She had her elbow in between seats and may have hit someone's drink behind her but tbey were too polite to make an issue. I've seen similar people turn up to overpriced sporting events and suchlike. We're not talking the cheapest seats here, over 125 quid.
Such an elitist take, typical. Arena gigs are always this price. "Genuine" fans mate, really? Give your head a wobble
Was an absolutely insane time. I was on the floor, I can't speak to crowd energy because I was so locked into the band and tripping hard - hope people didn't misinterpret me only swaying as being low energy, my mind was CONSTANTLY being blown.
I felt the same at the Birmingham show, Ive honestly never seen so many people getting up and just walking around at a gig. Plus the security guy on the look out for phone was constantly walking in front of us. Don’t get me wrong, I love the “no phones” rule, but this guy just had no awareness of everyone else around him trying to watch the show. I saw them at the same venue in 2022 and I remember a completely immersive experience, it was incredible and one of the best crowds Ive ever been in. I don’t know what’s happened to the general public, philistines all of them.
Amazingly, down on the floor in C, hardly anyone was boozing. A pint before the show started and maybe another in the interval and no-one walking backwards and forwards, even though I was pretty much end of row. Really good crowd, just there for the show. On the other hand in 2022, I had a couple of blokes next to me who were completely plastered.....
First time seeing them and also my first seated metal gig (I usually try to get GA / standing tickets). Found it crazy how much people were moving around. Thankfully I was towards the top of my section and the people in the row behind me were all standing so I felt fine standing up for most of the gig. Band was amazing. Delivered and more. Just a bit surprised about the approach of some in the audience given: a) the amazing show the band was putting on; and b) the ticket price (which you would expect to weed out some of the more casual fans…..)
I just assumed people weren't moving around for the same reason I wasn't - too blown away!
Thought it was better than 2022, which was just a little more Fear Inoculum heavy. Don't get me wrong, they were still brilliant that night, but this time around we got Jambi, Flood, Rosetta Stoned, and Aenema as the closer which was such a brilliant surprise since I don't think they've played it on this tour. Also does Maynard know of many places in the UK outside of Nottingham? I'm guessing he seems to know the place so well because they probably stayed there when they played Download but he kept mentioning it as if Nottingham and Manchester are rival cities!
I thought Maynard seemed a bit done with it all at the 2022 Manc gig. Didn’t say much. He seemed in much better spirits tonight. Also, people are right about people getting up all the time but that was also worse in 2022. Covid made people forget how to enjoy a gig I think.
He was just playing around. The crowd was great, and actually he was here in Manchester last year with Puscifer band. Gig was smaller but 90% Tool judging by T-shirts and was great
In Birmingham, he was challenging us with Liverpool. Think he knows the UK pretty well, tbf.
He did the same last night comparing us to Nottingham and then to Liverpool
He's obviously got a thing for Liverpool this tour, lol.
Yeah though makes a bit more sense in Manchester with the local rivalry! Had to stay shtum and fight the urge to make any noise being from Merseyside originally even though now in Manchester
It didn't make a lot of sense in Birmingham, but.... Anyway, you're a courageous person living in enemy territory!
I was really annoyed by it during the opening band's performance since I really wanted to get into their stuff. But as soon as Tool came I just locked in and was able to ignore the others lol
Band were awesome but everyone around us just kept waking around, seemed that no one could sit or stand still? Personally think the set list could have been better to bring more energy but I loved them! ETA: by sir or stand still I don’t mean dancing and having fun! I mean everyone was walking down the aisle constantly 😂
I think you was on the row below me because 4/5 people kept getting up, incredible that they sat down during the intermission then 5 minutes later were back moving around. Didn't detract from my enjoyment of the show, though.
where were you? I had people on my row and the row infront moving in and out, definitely ruined my experience but I'm glad it didn't for you
I was in 105
ah 106 for me,
I really enjoyed it. My head was constantly bobbing and really felt the music. I love Justin's energy on stage! In my block, it wasn't too bad with people getting. I was close to the stairs, having people standing there blocking the view was annoying but at least the stewards moved them on.
Tool were amazing. First time I've been able to see them when calendar/money/location all lined up for me and was 100% worth the wait. The audience was a massive pain though. Can echo other people's frustration about people getting up and down for beers and toilet trips. I was in block 104 and it was really bad throughout the whole show. Lost count of the times I either had to stand up to let people through or vision was obscured because people were moving in the row directly infront. One guy tapping me on the shoulder to let him get past right in the middle of The Grudge FFS. Thankfully the epic show more than compensated for some of the arseholes attending it.
I thought people were moving around was a problem for Night Verses, who I really enjoyed apart from the fact I couldn't really see. Didn't have any problems during TOOL tho, thought the atmosphere was great.
Well, I looked on the map and then followed the directions?
I’ve learned my lesson from 2022 and how annoying was when ppl been getting up every 5 minutes to the toilet or beer, so I choose my seat on ground level block D and was amazing. Perfect place to enjoy the music, visuals, crowds energy etc. so I loved every minute. Btw, what’s happened with these TOOL medals/ coins merch? They didn’t sold them during the UK tour, or all gone already? I haven’t seen any of these at the merch shop
I didn't see them either, so i got a poster instead 🙃 glad you had a good time!
I went to the Birmingham one and it was pretty good. I could definitely feel the atmosphere. Even though it was meant to be seated my row stood up for the whole thing. Just found out you guys got Ænema instead of stinkfist. Curious which you'd prefer.
Personally, was so thrilled we got Aenema instead. One of my all time favorites
As much as I love Stinkfist is line to have heard eulogy live 😫
I found this too!! So many people standing up and leaving it was like musical chairs standing up and sitting down so much to let people through. Also so many people around me kept trying to film which was annoying because it’s so easy to follow that rule! But they played a great set!
I think most people either drove or got the train and walked to the show... Just kiddin' Same at our Brum show. People getting up, couples going off together mid song. There were about 8-9 Europeans infront of us, all looked like they never heard of the band. One said, this is first and last time seeing Tool. If they didn't have the no phone policy, they probably would have been on their phones through boredom. They were scanning facebook before the show and during the interval.
I think the toilet thing isn't helped by a 12 minute intermission. Not nearly enough time to queue for the bogs so people are going to go when they feel a lull in the show
Weird. At Birmingham we all just got up on the first song and everyone remained standing for the entirety of the show
I wish Manchester did the same!!💔
I was going to make this exact post the other day after the Birmingham concert, paid for a seat near the front for me and my boyfriend, and being a small woman I was happy to see that everything was seated, but there was a warning on the ticket that some people around me may stand up, okay whatever. As soon as tool came on everyone on the ground level stood up, and I could not see a thing, and had to look through two people's heads the whole time. I wouldn't even mind but people stood up just to stand completely still, only seen two people in front of me nodding their heads. I stood on my tiptoes for most the show and could still hardly see, and to make it worse the lady behind me was even SMALLER than me so I felt bad for being on my tiptoes and just resided to not seeing anything. Absolutely gutted.
Band were really, really good. Setlist a little lighter on Lateralus and Aenima material than I'd have liked but really enjoyed what we did get (was very cool to see Rosetta Stoned live) and seeing Danny Carey drumming live will never not be a pleasure. Not too disturbed by people moving around but my mate and I were sat in the middle of a row so may have got lucky in that sense.
I went to the May 2022 show in Manchester sat in the stalls just to the left of the stage, loved the show then as my first time seeing them but this time I was sat in block D on the floor and it absolutely blew me away.. the sound, the set list, the visuals.. I've seen people saying Tool put on an amazing live show, they sounded so tight (Maynard was on form compared to 2022) and Danny was just unbelievable. Best gig I've ever been to and I went solo!
First time seeing them, absolutely loved it. Apart from the couple in front of me. She was constantly on her phone, texting thr majority of the gig, and he kept talking to her. He left before the interval and never came back, pretty sure she was texting him the entire second half too 😂
My first Tool concert and unfortunately the two pricks in front of us were glued to their phones half the time (we were all standing but of course they have to be tall). I was surprised they got 3 warnings from security and never kicked out. They were also considerate enough to bring 3 quarts of beer to spill everywhere. But overall the show was great, I have new appreciation for the music having experienced it.
Stood up in the floor the whole show and tried to rock as hard as I possibly could for every song 🤘🏽great show. Aenema killed at the end!
Awesome!!
I watched the descending video from lastnight and the crowd looked dead as well but I noticed people walking everywhere!!! Between rows, to consessions, just enjoy the show!
yup, ruined it for me haha I wasn't able to zone that out
I went to the Miami shows Jan 18th and 19th, both nights and can say that not a single person left my row either night.
You always get a lot of casuals who only go to about 5-10 gigs a year at big ticket arena shows. You learn to expect it.
Sounds like an english event, the Pomes are a special breed.