Claypool Gold Turns St. Augustine Into a Funk Fueled Fever Dream
When you ask almost any bass player who the greats are, a few names always come to mind: Geddy Lee, Flea, and, of course, Les Claypool. For me, Claypool was one of the players who inspired me to pick up a bass and join a band back in the day. Being able to photograph him years later at the St. Augustine Amphitheater made this one feel a little full circle.
Claypool Gold brought a full night of funky rhythms, psychedelic visuals, and the unmistakable sound of Les Claypool to the St. Augustine Amphitheatre, showcasing three different sides of one of music’s most unique players. It rained through a good part of the evening, but in true North Florida fashion, that was not entirely a bad thing. The rain knocked down the usual summer heat and left the Amphitheater feeling surprisingly comfortable, adding a little extra atmosphere to an already strange and psychedelic night.
The night opened with Les Claypool’s Frog Brigade, setting the tone with a strange, swampy visual world that matched the music perfectly. The band took the stage in what felt like old safari style hats and green coats, while the entire set was washed in a green glow beneath a giant mustached frog on the screen. Musically, it was exactly the kind of oddball brilliance you would expect. Les’s signature bass tone woven through xylophone, saxophone, keys, and guitar sounds of Sean Lennon.
The Claypool Lennon Delirium followed with a different energy, using many of the same players but shifting into a more psychedelic space. The visuals leaned harder into patterns, color, and surreal video backdrops, giving the set its own distinct identity while still feeling connected to the larger Claypool universe.
Primus closed the night with their usual flair, weirdness, and unmistakable punch. Les Claypool took the stage in a dark suit and bowler hat, looking every bit like the ringmaster of his own strange universe, while Larry LaLonde added his jagged, off kilter guitar work to the controlled chaos around him.
Behind the kit was John Hoffman, who joined Primus last year after the band’s highly publicized search for a new drummer. Stepping into a band with such a distinct rhythmic identity is no small task, but Hoffman brought the energy and precision needed to push the set forward while still leaving room for the band’s loose, unpredictable personality.
Visually, the Primus set leaned into the band’s familiar blend of absurdity and psychedelia, with the stage becoming an extension of the strange world their music has always occupied. It was funky, heavy, bizarre, and completely its own thing.
The set mixed deep cuts and fan favorites before the encore brought all three bands back together. “John the Fisherman” made its appearance during the encore, followed by a full stage finale of “Mirror in the Bathroom” that brought the night to a fittingly strange and energetic close.
By the end of the night, the crowd was fully locked in. Claypool Gold was not just a concert as much as it was a strange, funky, visual trip through the many worlds of Les Claypool.
Photos and coverage by Revasonic Media