Les Claypool brought all kinds of treasure to the stage last night (May 20th) during the tour opener of his “Claypool Gold” tour, a rotating psych-and-funk showcase from his bands Primus, the Claypool Lennon Delirium and the Fearless Flying Frog Brigade.
As previously reported, the tour is being staged similarly to the 2024 and 2025 Sessanta shows that Primus had undertaken with A Perfect Circle and Puscifer, where the bands would take turns performing sets before delivering a big collaborative finale.
First up at the Reno Events Center in Reno, Nevada, were the Frogs, who hopped through a five-song opening set of Claypool-penned numbers — including songs from the Brigade proper, as well as a run-through of “Precipitation,” which Claypool had delivered with his Holy Mackerel backup band in the mid Nineties.
The Claypool Lennon Delirium were up next, and they delivered a trio of live premieres from their recent, AI-weary concept album The Great Parrot-Ox and the Golden Egg of Empathy. This included “The Golden Egg of Empathy,” “Troll Bait” and psychedelic jam number “WAP.” They then took off into a closing cover of Pink Floyd’s “Astronomy Domine.”
Primus headlined the night, with Claypool, guitarist Larry “Ler” LaLonde and semi-recently instated drummer John Hoffman leaning into the classically thwacked “Those Damned Blue-Collar Tweekers” first. The group also gave a live premiere to their new “The Ol’ Grizz” single, while also hitting Pork Soda favorites “My Name is Mud” and “Welcome to this World,” the iconically Cheese-y “Jerry Was a Racecar Driver” and more.
Night one wrapped with all the musicians taking a trip through Tales from the Punchbowl-era Primus single “Southbound Pachyderm.”
You’ll find “Claypool Gold” photos and concert footage from throughout the night up above and down below, where you’ll likewise see the setlist details (per setlist.fm).
The bands hit the Hayden Homes Amphitheater in Bend, Oregon tomorrow (May 22nd). You’ll find the rest of the “Claypool Gold” tour schedule here.
In related news, Primus’ forthcoming A Handful of Nuggs EP gets a physical release July 24th via ATO Records. Pre-orders for exclusive vinyl copies on “Gold Splatter” and “Black and Gold Blend” (limited to 500 copies each) are up now in Revolver’s shop.
Claypool Gold setlist 5/20/26:
Frog Brigade
Up on the Roof
Lust Stings
David Makalaster
Precipitation
D’s Diner
Claypool Lennon Delirium
South of Reality
Blood and Rockets: Movement I, Saga of Jack Parsons – Movement II Too the Moon
The Golden Egg of Empathy (Live debut)
Troll Bait (Live debut)
WAP (What a Predicament) (Live debut)
Astronomy Domine (Pink Floyd cover)
Primus
Those Damned Blue-Collar Tweekers
Last Salmon Man
American Life
The Ol’ Grizz (Live debut)
Hellbound 17 1/2 (Theme From) (First time played since 10/27/12)
Bob’s Party Time Lounge
Shake Hands With Beef
Welcome to This World
My Name Is Mud
Jerry Was a Race Car Driver
Encore (all three bands)
Southbound Pachyderm