A Perfect Circle & The Mars Volta

Originally scheduled for March 31st, the vaguely labeled illness that caused the juggling of dates did little to sway A Perfect Circle’s Sacramento faithful, who came out in droves for what seemed like a can’t-miss event. The atmosphere, even outside the mid-sized venue hours before the show’s start, was electric as thousands of fans gathered anxiously and local radio stations set up their booths and speakers.
Inside, the energy was even more palpable, the Memorial’s floor littered with concert-goers and the two-tiered seating along the rear and sides of the venue’s large room dotted with black-shirted onlookers as The Mars Volta took the stage.
Snugly garbed, largely haired and infectiously spastic, The Mars Volta were eye-catching performers. Frontman Cedric Bixler Zavala flailed his wiry frame around the Memorial Auditorium’s expansive stage, spun his microphone stand in the air and even took time to hop atop one of the monitors for a spotlighted boogie session.
The group appeared so stimulated, it seemed logical that their music should carry similar heat; disappointingly, this was not the case. Buried in the mix, Zavala’s high-registered belts were rendered harmless and though the band briefly ventured into invigorating territory - building rhythmic power into feverish crescendos - they fell quickly back into aimless noodling. During their long, lagging set, The Mars Volta took only one break, during which Zavala addressed the crowd, saying that he would like to invite everyone to crowd up and join him, but believed that would only anger the concert’s powers that be. He then added that he thought “rock ‘n’ roll was supposed to be about rebellion.” It should be entertaining, too.
Though The Mars Volta’s performance was lacking, A Perfect Circle picked up the slack, so much so they almost blanked any memory of another band to taking the stage prior.
A Perfect Circle’s presence was much more static, but no less compelling. Jeordie White (bass) and Billy Howerdel (guitar) occupied the downstage area with James Iha (guitar / keys) and Josh Freese (drums) flanking behind them on slightly raised platforms. The group’s enigmatic frontman, Maynard James Keenan, occupied another, taller perch upstage center.
Aided by elaborate lighting and dazzling effects, A Perfect Circle was a true visual spectacle. But unlike their predecessors, A Perfect Circle’s sounds were more than a match for their impressive sights. Powerful and impassioned, the group’s heavy, moody sound easily filled the large room. James Iha shined, playing consistent and flavorful guitar flourishes and the occasional sprinkling of keys and Josh Freese, performing with a broken knee, added just the right blend of percussive strength and unerring precision. Pacing on a platform in the back of the stage, Maynard showed off his impressive range - from soothingly melodic to blatantly abrasive and everything in between - and though sulking in backlit obscurity, easily took front and center.
While their music may be short on variety, A Perfect Circle proved themselves to be a top-notch, arena-worthy act with an inspiring performance that justified the bill’s high-profile ticket price.
- James Barone
- Photo by Jeff Shaner

Bookmark:

Comments down for maintenance.