PAM WHISENHUNT | Go Venue Magazine
On a dreary, rainy Tuesday night, Maynard James Keenan brought his birthday celebration to the Baxter Arena in Omaha, Nebraska, June 3, 2025. Primus, Puscifer and a Perfect Circle helped celebrate Keenan’s 61st birthday, giving us an impressive three-hour musical showcase.
The show kicked off around 8pm. As per usual at a Maynard Keenan show, there were no photos to be taken, not even cell phones. Signs were posted everywhere, from the entrance to the rails where we were seated. The show started off with a video introduction. Do you know what the mystery ingredient is in SPAM? Well, apparently, it’s photo taking rule breakers. As the crowd watched the meat grinder crushing away, the character in the video stated they are always grateful to dim witted rule breakers for their culinary contributions.
After the first song, the celebration really started. A cart with a birthday cupcake was wheeled to the stage while party hats and tiaras were handed out. Keenan prompted screams from the crowd asking, “How’s Omaha doing?” He also implored everyone to stay present, resist the urge to pick up their phones, disconnect from the outside and connect with them on stage.
The overall structure of the show rotated between each band, A Perfect Circle, Primus and Puscifer with a 3-4 song set through Act I, Act II, and Act III and a 10-minute intermission between acts. It wasn’t your typical concert; it was more of a showcase or a musical production. The bands transitioned seamlessly between songs and sets, sometimes commingling members. While one band played, the other musicians relaxed in the lounges, which were set up on the stage risers parallel to the drum kits. Overall, the show was like one big birthday party with good friends jamming, vibing, playing ping pong, having chair lift races up the stairs and just goofing around.
Although it was a 3-hour show, it didn’t seem like it, before we knew it the party was coming to an end. Just before 11:00pm, it was time for the final song. Keenan thanked the crowd for a great evening and told them they could now take their phones out and record the last song. Keenan mentioned thoughts of his father’s passing weighs heavy on him, but this makes him happy. That’s understandable, the party had great energy paired with one of the most extraordinary displays of musicianship I’ve seen in a long time. Happy 61st Birthday, Maynard, you’re doing it right!
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