Sessanta v2.0, featuring two of legendary Maynard James Keenan’s bands, A Perfect Circle and Puscifer, along with friends Primus, brought their fun, unique tour to PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel, New Jersey, on May 18, 2025. This marked the second year in a row celebrating Maynard’s big 6-0, which took place in spring 2024. Sessanta was a fitting name, as it means sixty in Italian. And celebrate they did…
Unlike most shows these days, this wasn’t a sea of glowing smartphones lighting up the crowd. Admittedly, many have grown to tolerate it. Maynard has always had a strict no-cell phone policy for as long as I can remember, and this night was no different. In fact, I only saw a total of four people quickly sneaking shots while I was in my seat. No phones made for a very welcomed ’90s concert vibe, which I realized I had missed. Just being engulfed in the band, the music, and the night without any distractions was quite refreshing. Maynard did make it clear that fans were able to bring out their “stupid cell phones” for the final song of the night, which was also when us photographers were able to shoot.
Throughout the night, the three bands took turns performing on stage quickly and effortlessly. While one band played, the others hung out on the stage’s raised platform , eating, drinking, and singing along. A Perfect Circle’s first song of the night set the tone perfectly with the hypnotic “Counting Bodies Like Sheep to the Rhythm of the War Drums” (my personal fave). Maynard then made sure to playfully call out fans heading to their seats: “You’re late. You’re late. And you’re late.”
Puscifer’s set saw the most action. There were friendly games of ping pong among the other bandmates (who then threw the ping pong balls into the happy crowd), as well as a chair lift race between Maynard and Primus’ Les Claypool, poking fun at Maynard’s milestone age. Les donned a disco ball helmet that shined bright during Primus’ last song before the encore, which featured all three bands on stage together performing Puscifer’s “Grand Canyon.”
Sessanta v2.0 makes its final appearance on June 7th at White River Amphitheatre in Auburn, Washington. It’s a truly unique experience and not to be missed if you’re a fan of any, or all, of these bands. If the tour hasn’t hit your town yet, I highly recommend grabbing a ticket while you still can. Only time will tell if Sessanta v3.0 becomes a reality next year. In the meantime, for shits and giggles, head over to their official site at sessantalive.com and plug your name into the generator to receive your very own Sessanta-inspired name. Mine is Melard Zephyr Erndel! What’s yours?
Sessanta v2.0: A Perfect Circle, Puscifer, & Primus
Photo Credit: Melinda Oswandel
Editor’s Note: Metal Insider’s Sessanta name generator result: Meited Thunder Anider:
