Many bands are satisfied to let industry suits pick their opening acts based on Spotify plays, algorithms, demographics, that sort of thing. Not Tool. The prog-metal prankster-philosophers have always handpicked their tour support, and as a result, have ended up with a head-spinning array of talent warming up their stages: from Meshuggah and the Flaming Lips to Melt-Banana and Author & Punisher.
The openers for Tool's imminent 2022 run are similarly wide-ranging, spanning the weirdo stonerisms of the Acid Helps (from February 19th to March 20th), the horns-heavy reimaginings of Brass Against (in Europe) and the nuanced indie-rock of Blonde Redhead (January 10th to February 10th). It turns out that the last of those three acts was selected by Maynard James Keenan himself, and the singer has opened up about the choice.
"The approach or criteria I usually take when it's my turn to choose an opener, is Diversity," Keenan wrote in a thoughtful Instagram post. "No point in choosing something similar to us. Most are only here for the headliner anyway. But for those with open hearts and minds, I choose something I feel is compelling in its own way. Blonde Redhead is my pick for this upcoming run. Incredible melodies, complex & subtle rhythms, and non traditional arrangements.
"But Nothing like Tool.
And Not meant to be. Obviously."
Read the full post below.
