Primus / Coheed and cambria – The Ledge Ampitheater – Wait Park MN – Jujly 26th 2024

Primus and Coheed and Cambria with Too Many Zooz – The Ledge Amphitheater – Waite Park, MN – July 26th, 2024

It was a gorgeous summer evening for an outdoor show as the co-heading tour of Primus and Coheed and Cambria, supported by Too Many Zooz, played The Ledge Amphitheater in Waite Park, MN.

Too Many Zooz, a New York based brasshouse trio, started the night off with a lively and energetic performance. Their minimal setup, with just the artists and their instruments, allowed the fiery energy of the music to take center stage, with the deep baritone sax of Leo Pellegrino reverberating through the amphitheater, mixed with the powerful trumpet melodies of Matt Muirhead. Percussionist David Parks wears his drums, which allowed for animated movement, alongside the emphatic dancing and jiving of Pellegrino. At the end of their set, the crowd was on their feet and cheering.

Coheed and Cambria were the next performers for the already energized crowd.  They opened with “In Keeping Secrets of Silent Earth”, and their energy was on fire. Lead singer Claudio Sanchez has always been hailed as an emotional and expressive frontman, and this show was no exception. With his characteristic wild and curly mane flowing in the strong breeze that was helping cool the summer heat, his melodic voice pierced through the air and paired perfectly with Travis Stever’s intricate guitar work and Zach Cooper’s deep bass tones.

Josh Eppard rounded out the rhythm section and added to the dynamic energy on stage, with playing that was both technically perfect and fiery energy to match. They only negative of their show was the bright sun still shining on the amphitheater, dimming their light show slightly, but when they closed with favorite “Welcome Home”, they showed that their energy and stage presence made up for it and then some.

Primus closed the night with an unforgettable show full of quirkiness and eclectic rock. Every show of this tour has featured a varied setlist, showcasing different aspects of their catalogue, and they started off strong with “Those Damned Blue-Collar Tweakers”. Despite the heat, Les Claypool looked both dapper and effortlessly comfortable in his signature bowler hat and suit.   With the sun now set, the lights and on-screen graphics for Primus were both captivating and perfectly eccentric. “Consprianoia” was a fitting song choice, after a prelude of rattled off conspiracy theories that were both entertaining and slightly frightening.

Mid-set they hit the crowd with favorites “My Name is Mud” and “Jerry was a Race Car Driver”.  Tim Alexander’s drumming, with his fast, precise groves and dybamic rhythms was a sonic treat in the outdoor amphitheater. Their performance was rounded out with intricate guitar work from Larry LaLonde with beautiful tone and energy.  Much to the crowds delight, they added in a Rush song, “Cygnus X1”, and then finished their performance with the amazing “Wynona’s Big Brown Beaver”, and then ended with an encore that treated the crowd to “Mr. Knowitall”, the tour debut of this song, closing a night of amazing music and performance from all 3 bands.

Review and photos by Kate Kalus