LIVE: Tool – Perth, 02 Dec 2025
RAC Arena, Perth, Western Australia
Reviewed by Melanie Scrafton
Supported by Byron Bay’s Headsend
Perth has been eagerly awaiting Tool’s return, and the sold-out crowd made it clear why: this band delivers an experience unlike any other. Far from a greatest-hits nostalgia trip, the show plunged the audience into something deeper, immersive, moody, and unexpectedly nostalgic.
Tool shows are more than concerts, they’re full sensory experiences. From the opening track, you’re enveloped in a world where music and visuals move as one. This tour showcases the most seamless and mesmerizing flow of imagery yet, perfectly paired with lighting that amplifies every note and nuance.
The audience was instructed to put their phones away – or shove them up their behinds – so everyone could remain present and connected, both with the band and each other. Maynard’s commanding presence cut through immediately as he asked, “Do you know where you are?” a simple question that grounded the room and demanded focus.
The hypnotic pull of Tool’s performance is impossible to overstate. The visuals alone, immaculately coordinated and purpose-built, unfold with meditative fluidity, mirroring the emotional arc of each song. It’s a technical marvel that breathes with the music rather than competing with it.
Musically, the band delivers perfection. Adam Jones is a master of his craft, Danny Carey pushes the boundaries of modern percussion, and Justin Chancellor plays with infectious energy and deep passion. And at the center of it all, Maynard remains the star, his creative range and vocal prowess sharper than ever, clearly enhanced by his sobriety.
Tool lyrics and compositions, born from heightened states of consciousness, feel unusually relevant today, resonating with a cultural climate that craves reflection and intensity. Every element—music, visuals, performance—works together to create something truly immersive.
If you get the chance, don’t hesitate. A Tool show isn’t just a concert, it’s a journey. Buckle in and enjoy the ride.
Setlist:
Fear Inoculum
The Grudge
Disposition
H.
Rosetta Stoned (with “Lost Keys” intro)
Pneuma
Crawl Away
Jambi
Intolerance
Encore:
Chocolate Chip Trip (after drum solo)
Hand of Doom (Black Sabbath cover)
Invincible
Vicarious
Tool’s Australian tour continues with these Good Things Festival dates:
December 5, 2025: Flemington Racecourse, Melbourne, VIC
December 6, 2025: Sydney Showgrounds, Sydney, NSW
December 7, 2025: Brisbane Showgrounds, Brisbane, QLD
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Category: Live Reviews
