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ONWARD & UPWARD TOUR
Live in San Diego
August 13, 2025 Review by Fatima Kelley
On an evening where the arena felt much like a musical science lab, the sold-out crowd was more than eager to step in the role of guinea pigs as Primus and MonoNeon delivered a hypnotizing, bass-infused experimental soundscape that led fans straight out of this world.
CAL COAST CREDIT UNION AMP
San Diego, California
August 2, 2025
Bassist extraordinaire MonoNeon (born Dywane Eric Thomas Jr.) seemed perfectly suited to start off the evening with his impeccably balanced blend of jazz, funk and psychedelic rock. Playing in clothing as bright and vibrant as his chords, he made the audience completely his, stepping up from the role of opener, carrying out a set worthy of a co-headliner.
MonoNeon was the last bassist hired by Prince before his death, and since then the Memphis musician has collaborated with many music greats. Tonight he charmed the audience with tracks like “Jelly Roll,” “Wish Our Party Would’ve Last,” “Tell Me That This Love Ain’t Real,” and “Life Is a Glittery Fu¢kery.”
By the end of his amazing set, Primus fans were left primed and ready for Les Claypool, Larry La Londe, and brand new drummer, John Hoffman.
Hoffman joined Primus earlier this year after being chosen from a pool of about 6,000 auditioning drummers who were attempting to fill the slot Tim Alexander left when he departed the band in October due to health reasons. I did get a chance to see him in action in the spring’s Sessanta tour but this was my first time seeing him play a full-length Primus show, and he certainly outplayed any expectations, adding an extra layer of vibrancy to an already sonically decadent band.
While I was afraid the passing of the drumsticks would negatively impact Primus’ epic sound, Hoffman was able to step out of the predecessor’s footsteps and bring a breath of fresh air into the band that infused them with youthful energy.
Testament to their magnificence is the fact that no matter how many times you have seen Primus live, each of their shows feels like a completely new experience that enthralls fans musically and visually.
I often find myself at shows debating whether the production detracts from the music, and in many cases, it does. But when it comes to Primus, the imagery on the screens and the entire light design seems to perfectly amplify the musical richness, and almost play an equal role in the live experience. As a visual artist I leave each of their shows inspired and eager to paint. As a music lover I leave always wanting more.
Tonight’s setlist was a perfectly-crafted musical journey that guided fans through their 40+ year long career.
While pointing out highlights of the set seems to minimize the fluidity and continuity of the performance, I find it nearly impossible not to point out how happy I was hearing “Amos Moses” (Jerry Reed cover), as well as one of my favorite Primus tracks, “Bob’s Party Time Lounge.”
The crowd of course loved “John the Fisherman” and “My Name Is Mud,” but the song that received the loudest roar of the night was the forever classic, “Jerry Was a Race Car Driver.”
That classic got everyone in the arena thumping around, singing along word for word. Other favorites were “The Heckler,” “Over the Falls,” and “Welcome to This World.”
A huge highlight of the evening came at the encore section when Primus asked MonoNeon to join them onstage to perform the epic “Southbound Pachyderm,” off their 1995 album, “Tales from the Punchbowl.”
They delivered this song adorned by a surprise intro/tease from Fleetwood Mac’s “The Chain,” which brought quite a few smiles to fans’ faces.
But what really made this moment special was witnessing two master bassists sharing the stage, elevating an already great song by turning it into an almost intimate discourse of creative chords where one amplified the magnitude of the other.
Primus played for about an hour and a half and I could have sworn they played for 10 minutes – it is as if time stops when Les Claypool slaps that bass, sort of like a “Bass Charmer Effect.” If you have a chance to catch this tour, don’t miss out because they are sure to outperform any expectation.
SHOW PHOTO GALLERY
by Fatima Kelley Photography
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