The anticipation of a long wait can be excruciating, particularly when there are no opening acts to ease the audience into the atmosphere of a sold-out evening. This can leave one restless, or it can serve as a blessing that lets one immerse oneself in the excitement. For this current wave, it appears more distinct; although smaller in scale, it surpasses expectations. For Californian rock eccentrics, Primus seems rather unconventional in their pursuit of major-league success. However, in 2026, the trio are performing for exceedingly large audiences and headlining a sold-out Arctangent Festival, thereby further exemplifying their renewed fame.
Les Claypool, celebrated as one of the world’s greatest bassists, reveals his remarkable fretboard skills even before the opening track. The stuttering, creeping introduction of “Here Come The Bastards” shows another facet of Claypool’s talent: he largely plays with restraint but seizes every opportunity to exhibit his virtuosity. Often maintaining a whacked rhythm, guitarist Larry LaLonde contributes expressively over the colourful sound. The band’s chemistry was fantastic throughout. The rhythm section, comprising Claypool and new drummer John Hoffman, exhibited both individuality and brilliance. Meanwhile, Larry, whom Les affectionately refers to as the “godfather of death metal,” effortlessly delivers killer metal riffs all the while searing licks of innovative techniques.
Despite Primus being a rather perplexing troupe, with many tracks stretching out at a deliberate pace, Manchester adores them nevertheless. The hypnotic bassline of “American Life” provoked the audience to clap in unison; many sang from the top of their lungs during “My Name Is Mud”. A primary gesture of appreciation is the passionate “Primus sucks” chant that frequently erupts, and at one point Les Claypool responded with “Do tell!”. The heaviness of “Dirty Drowning Man” was superb, with its well-rounded progressive elements and the Eastern rhythms in “Frizzle Fry” were mesmerising for pronged ears.
After a refreshing break, a wise decision given the heat and intensity of the evening, the band opened the second set with the playful bounce of “Welcome To This World”. This then shifts into the dense thuds of “My Name Is Mud,” exposing the direct connection between Hoffer and Les at the song’s excellent climax. Following this, “Jerry Was A Race Car Driver” received a heroic reception and just when it seemed the set would focus on fan favourites, Primus presented the expansively hypnotic “Over The Electric Grapevine,” which remained equally compelling.
Les Claypool shared entertaining anecdotes about his experiences performing with bands like The Flaming Lips in the USA. In Europe, the troupe entertains metal festivals alongside groups with uniquely named bands, which never fail to provoke laughter from the Mancunians, who are known for their own sense of weirdness. This blend contributes to their appeal, balancing metal’s heaviness with an experimental, psychedelic edge. For example, “Shake Hands With Beef” uncovered their heavier side, while Les plays the bow and upright bass for the psychedelic low end of “Jilly’s On Smack.” For the encore, the unstoppable “Too Many Puppies” transitioned into the gloomy “Hello Skinny” and then returned to “Too Many Puppies” for a devastating finish. While they may prove challenging to the normal set of ears and eyes, this was a triumph and a reminder that bands as uniquely marvellous as Primus should be celebrated. It is okay to be weird in one’s music taste sometimes.
Words & Photos By Sabrina Ramdoyal https://www.instagram.com/sabrinaramdoyal/
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