Primus and Mono Neon Bring Trippy Bass Odyssey to Cal Coast Open Air Theater
Presented by Live Nation San Diego, Saturday night at the Cal Coast Open Air Theater was a journey into the bizarre and the brilliant, as a heavily attended San Diego crowd gathered to bask in the glory of two of bass music’s most singular minds. It was a night of unforgettable performances that proved, yet again, why certain legends and their legions of devoted followers just can’t quit each other.
The night began with the wildly talented Mono Neon, a choice of opener so perfect it felt like a premonition. Dressed in his signature vibrant, multi-colored quilted attire, the experimental, avant-garde bassist proved his reputation is well-earned. Playing a right-handed bass upside down with his left hand, his unique, funky, and often microtonal style was a masterclass in controlled chaos. It was a joy to watch him create a soundscape that was as visually captivating as it was sonically complex.
Decades into their career, Primus has amassed a following as devoted as any in rock history, and it’s all thanks to the man, the myth, the legend: Les Claypool. The crowd just loves him, and cooler than he will ever know, he delivered another of his spectacular, one-of-a-kind performances.The setlist was, as always, a diverse and unpredictable beast, plucking gems from across their storied discography. Starting the night with American Life and tracks like John the Fisherman and Jerry Was a Race Car Driver were met with roars of approval, while deep cuts like Oysterhead’s Polka Dot Rose and Jerry Reed’s Amos Moses kept everyone on their toes. It was a testament to the band’s longevity and their commitment to giving fans a different show every night. And it wasn’t just the music that mesmerized. The powerful visuals have become a staple of every Primus show, and this night was no exception. Trippy and bizarre imagery danced across the screen, perfectly synchronized with the band’s peculiar grooves and Claypool’s virtuosic bass lines. It was an immersive experience, a psychedelic fever dream that proved Primus is as much about spectacle as it is about sound.
While the entire performance was a high-wire act, there was one moment that truly brought everyone to their feet: the thunderous delivery of “My Name Is Mud.” The energy in the open-air theater was electric, a shared release of raw, funky joy that left the crowd buzzing and completely satisfied.
The finale was the stuff of legends. For the encore, Primus returned to the stage and Mono Neon joined them for an iconic jam session on Southbound Pachyderm, bringing together two generations of bass gods for a truly mind-bending and unforgettable moment.
San Diego loves Primus, it was clear that we can’t get enough of them. The band’s legacy is secure, and nights like this prove that they’re still at the absolute peak of their weird, wonderful, and undeniably unique game.