The first Waterfront Concert of the season was very big and very loud — as expected from a rock band like Tool, which has sustained popularity over their more than 25-year career.
The sold-out show on Saturday night at the Darling’s Waterfront Pavilion was long awaited by Tool fans of many ages, who came from all over the state and beyond to see the band play their first Maine concert in 10 years. Though Tool has not put out an album in 11 years, their four full-length albums — “Undertow,” “Aenima,” “Lateralus” and “10,000 Days” — are staples in the soundtracks to the lives of fans.
“I have been to many concerts in general before, and this is the most expensive ticket I’ve ever paid for. But it’s totally worth it because I don’t know when I’ll be able to see them again,” said Emily Akerley, 25, of Bangor, who grew up listening to Tool with her older brother. “I have never seen them before, but I’ve been a Tool fan for a long time, and I am pretty pumped about it.”
Drummer Danny Carey, guitarist Adam Jones and bassist Justin Chancellor were front and center on stage, bringing to life their polyrhythmic, complex fusion of metal, psychedelic, progressive and art rock with songs like early classic “Opiate,” radio hits like “Aenima” and “Schism,” and more recent songs like “Jambi” and “Vicarious.”
Singer Maynard James Keenan often was partially or fully obscured in the back of the stage, as he usually is during Tool concerts. He was silhouetted by intricate, colorful, often wonderfully strange projections and lights, and he sported riot gear emblazoned with a spoof of the Starbucks logo — Keenan is known for both his onstage costumes and between-song commentary.
Tool always has been a band apart from other major rock bands, with their aura of mystery, refusal to participate in music industry norms, and intense, often scathing, sometimes mordantly funny lyrics. Though the band’s musical influences are wide, they are not unlike other rock icons like Led Zeppelin or Pink Floyd.
“I haven’t been to a ton of concerts in my life, but I save out for the best. I have been a fan since the beginning,” said Jacqueline O’Donnell, 42, of Orrington, who attended with her husband, Steve. “In 1991 I was 16, and the music was so much harder than grunge. It was eye opening and had a separate message. Seeing Maynard in person has been a bucket list write off.”
The huge crowd — at around 16,000 — often was a little tricky to navigate, with large crushes of people in aisles after the band started, and a standing-room lawn area that was packed like sardines. Opening for Tool was the Once and Future Band, which played prog-infused rock for 45 minutes as the sun went down.
Downtown businesses saw a steady flow of customers throughout the day, and by 5 p.m., nearly every seat was taken at bars and restaurants along the Main Street corridor and near the waterfront. The food trucks on the Bangor waterfront all stayed open later than usual to cater to concert-goers, with lines at all four vendors — Pompeii Pizza, Casa Mexicana, Wild Cow Creamery and newcomers Melt.
Even though they’ve only been open for less than two weeks, Giacomo’s in downtown Bangor saw steady business throughout the day — manager Kyle Gray noted that downtown in general was abuzz with foot traffic.
“I think we were steadier than we have been yet. I definitely think every business downtown is pretty packed,” he said. “You can clearly see the Tool fans out there. There’s definitely a good crowd downtown.”
The third annual Bangor Comic & Toy Con was held this weekend at the Cross Insurance Center, and organizer Christopher MacMillian said that while he didn’t have any exact numbers, he believed the Tool concert being held the same day as the convention’s second day had had a positive impact on attendance.
“We definitely had ‘come to the show, and then go to the concert’ as part of our advertising this year,” MacMillian said. “I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard this weekend that people are so excited to have both things happening on the same day … it’s a really fun way to spend the long weekend.”
MacMillian also noted that members of Tool, including drummer Danny Carey and guitarist Adam Jones, actually came to the convention Friday, picking up Star Wars memorabilia and later chatting with him and with convention attendees.
Singer/songwriter Jack Johnson will perform at the Darling’s Waterfront Pavilion Wednesday, June 7.
