Live And In The Flesh
A Perfect Circle - September 4, 2003
My very first year away to college in London and what better way to get things started off than with an amazing concert downtown! I had heard about A Perfect Circle going out on tour during the summer and had to make sure I secured myself a ticket to their London, Ontario gig at the beginning of September. The first Thursday night of college life certainly set some pretty high expectations for the remainder of the school year.
The show was held at Centennial Hall, a venue that could easily hold 1500 people given the balcony surrounding the perimeter over the general admission area. This was my first opportunity to experience A Perfect Circle live, and I made sure it was going to be one to remember by ensuring my place on the rail front and center. Their new album Thirteenth Step was scheduled for release less than two weeks after the show and I knew they would be playing some of it live. I arrived to the venue good an early to make sure I was one of the few first in line to be able to rush the stage upon entry. The doors opened and I assumed my position on the railing and locked myself down for the night.
Tool's drummer Danny Carey's new side project, Pigmy Love Circus, opened up for them throughout this tour. They were certainly different. I recall the middle-aged lead singer wailing away on his microphone sporting his one-strap overalls, shirtless with sweat flying everywhere. Danny Carey was obviously incredible tearing up his drum kit, but I just wasn't prepared for what the lead singer was bringing to the table. Regardless, they had us warmed up and they were entertaining to say the least.
It seemed like a long wait before A Perfect Circle finally came out to the cheers of the audience, but alas they emerged and graced the stage. All with the exception of Maynard of course, who remained closer to the back, lingering in the shadows. I was glad that I was as close as I was, or I don't think I would have been able to see him at all back there. Lullaby, a brand new track, was playing as they all settled in for the performance. It was perfect entrance music and it had me fired up in no time, grinning ear from ear knowing that I was in for an incredible show up close and personal. Billy Howerdel, one of A Perfect Circle's main members was joined by James Iha (formerly of The Smashing Pumpkins), on guitar and backing vocals. Jeordie White (formerly of Marilyn Manson) was also filling in on bass this tour, where the machine himself, Jeff Freese was taking care of the drumming duties. Although I would have enjoyed seeing the original Troy van Leeuwen, Paz Lenchantin, and Tim Alexander lineup, this one seemed to be as equally impressive.
Lullaby finished up and they started things off with yet another new track off of their upcoming Thirteenth Step release, Pet. Right after they played one of my favourite tracks off of their debut Mer de Noms release, The Hollow followed by Magdalena, just as it plays out on the actual release. The show was already off to an amazing start and I couldn't wait to hear what else they had in store for us. Their latest single came next, Weak and Powerless, followed by a few more Mer de Noms tracks, Orestes, Rose, and Thinking of You. This was probably the highlight of the night for me as this song was amazing live, I was immersed within the depths of A Perfect Circle's energy and I have yet to forget the experience.
The Package, another new track kept things going before they dove back into 3 Libras and Thomas from their first release. They began to wind things down for the night with a Failure cover, The Nurse Who Loved Me, which was also featured on their upcoming release. The band lent themselves quite well to the track providing quite the haunting vibe compared to the original version of the song. Their incredible twelve song setlist was wrapped up by none other than Judith, their very first single. It was a perfect way to finish off the evening, the mix of old and new songs couldn't have worked out any better. This was only the first week of college and I had already seen one amazing band live, I found it hard to imagine how things could possibly get any better.