Tool performed at Van Andel Arena Tuesday, March 8, 2022. Here is your chance to get a peek at the show, setlist, and visuals.

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What is a Tool Show Like?

I have seen Tool five times and each show and setlist have been different. When I explain a Tool show to others my point of reference is, their show is like a Pink Floyd show with long songs and big visuals but technically performed with the musicianship of Rush. Don't get me wrong, Tool sounds nothing like Floyd or Rush and has their own identity with their songs, performance and definitely has their own brand that has people following them all over the country and around the world.

Tommy Carroll/TSM
Tommy Carroll/TSM
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Tool Fans Love The Bands Merchandise

This was the first show I have ever been to where fans camped out early for the show, but not to get tickets or to get up near the rail of the front of the state but to get to the merch table.

Tool has always worked with great artists for all their album covers, graphics, and video material for their visuals. The band and the people they work with put a lot of time into every single graphic no matter what it is used for but one thing they always do is make it interesting for fans.

People camped out to get into the show to buy limited edition numbered posters. It was genius on Tools part, but I have to be honest, I could not believe how many people wanted those posters. It was impressive and the merch lines for Tool gear were the most insane lines I have ever seen at a show.

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A Tool Performace is Unique

Tool strives to be so different than any other band and it's a true testament to their to why they are so successful. Bands can learn a lot from a Tool show but let's all keep in mind, there is only one Tool.

Tool Singer Mayard James Keenan

Singer Maynard James Keenan doesn't go out front and beg for the audience's approval all night. He has platform's in the back on both sides of the drum kit and most of the time you only see his silhouette. Keenan only addressed the crowd two times the entire show and like the rest of the band, let's the music and visuals do the talking.

Tommy Carroll/TSM
Tommy Carroll/TSM
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Tool Bassist Justin Chancellor

Tool bassist Justin Chancellor is a key component in the band because he starts many of their songs with incredible bass riffs and original tones. Chancellor is a true musician with his own audio signature. He's what I call a bass players bass player. Where a lot of bands the bass is just there to support everything else but with Tool it is an intricate part of their songwriting and sound.

Tommy Carroll/TSM
Tommy Carroll/TSM
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Tool Drummer Danny Carey

Tool drummer Danny Carey has always been a favorite of mine. Carey is a student of Rush drummer Neal Peart and he just takes his drumming to a new level. Carey actually did a drum solo leading into Chocolate Chip Trip which was really cool because every Tool song is sometimes like a mini drum solo throughout the night. On Chocolate Chip Trip Carey show his use of electronics and building beats right in front of you to play a loop while he goes into another drum solo. You will see him playing one set of drums with one hand, working pads and electronics with another hand, and it's just an amazing experience to watch live. This was a no photo show until the last song so I wasn't able to capture Danny's drum solo.

Tommy Carroll/TSM
Tommy Carroll/TSM
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Tool Guitarist Adam Jones

Tool guitarist Adam Jones has such a great tone. He plays a Silverburst Gibson Les Paul that he has had for many years. Gibson actually made an Adam Jones signature model based on the one he has used for years. This guitar is a little heavier than a normal Les Paul and it provides a huge thick tone you cannot get anywhere else. Jones and his Silverburst are another intricate part of the Tool sound. Jones is a solid player who thinks outside of the box with unique tones and great ideas that give him a sound of his own.

Tommy Carroll/TSM
Tommy Carroll/TSM
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Tools Setlist for Van Andel Arena March 8, 2022

Tool change their setlist a little each night to give fans in each town a little something special. Plus, they know a lot of people travel and see multiple shows on their tour so this gives them some special each night as well. Tool does what Tool wants to do so rather than play a hit-filled night of music they play the songs that interest them the most. They did play a lot from their new album Fear Inoculum and most of those songs didn't receive radio airplay or were even released as singles so there were times during the set when fringe Tool fans may have not recognized songs. It was a great night of music and if you missed the show, below is what you missed.

Intro - Litanie contre la Peur

1. Fear Inoculum

2. Sober

3. The Pot

4. Pushit

5. Pneuma

6. The Grudge

7. Eon Blue Apocalypse

8. The Patient

9. Descending

10. Hooker With a Penis

Intermission

11. Chocolate Chip Trip

12. Culling Voices

13. Invincible

Tommy Carroll/TSM
Tommy Carroll/TSM
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All in all, Tool put on a spectacular show, musically and visually. The set may seem short but these songs are anywhere from 5 minutes to 10 minutes long. I already look forward to my next Tool show.
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