Fans of Tool are expressing significant disappointment after the band performed two nearly identical sets at their inaugural Tool Live in the Sand festival held this past weekend. The festival, which was an all-inclusive event, took place at the luxurious Hard Rock & Royalton Resorts in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. In addition to Tool, the festival featured an impressive lineup of performances from acclaimed bands such as Primus, Mastodon, Coheed and Cambria, Eagles of Death Metal, and several others, creating an exciting atmosphere for concert-goers.

Understanding Fans’ Discontent Over Tool’s Repeated Setlists

Tool headlined the festival on both Friday (March 7) and Saturday (March 8) nights; however, many fans were disheartened by the lack of variety in the band’s setlists. Four specific songs were repeated on both nights: “Fear Inoculum,” “Rosetta Stoned,” “Pneuma,” and “Jambi.” While these tracks were accompanied by a selection of other songs each evening, the minimal changes left many fans feeling let down, as detailed on Setlist.fm.

Given that fans had to invest in vacation packages to attend this festival, the repetition of significant portions of the setlist from the first night to the second was a source of frustration. Many took to social media to voice their displeasure about what they perceived as a missed opportunity for a truly unique musical experience.

One fan expressed their sentiments on the Tool Reddit page, stating, “The show cost an exorbitant amount hoping for a great two nights of music. The first night did not disappoint with many great songs that fans were eager to hear. However, the second night started with a disheartening surprise.” This sentiment was echoed by others who felt that they had traveled to the Dominican Republic for an unforgettable experience only to be met with a lackluster performance that mirrored the previous evening’s set.

Festival Attendees Vocalize Their Disappointment

Attendees at the festival not only shared their experiences online but also expressed their dissatisfaction live during the performances. On Saturday, the band faced boos from the audience, and videos capturing this moment circulated on Reddit, showcasing the palpable discontent among die-hard fans.

“Never thought I’d actually see video of Tool getting booed by die-hards, but this is kind of deserved,” remarked one fan in a Reddit comment, highlighting the unexpected backlash against the band.

Many festival-goers had anticipated “two unique sets” from Tool, as advertised, and felt misled when the reality did not match their expectations. One fan lamented, “People paid $3k for a ‘unique’ experience and setlist, which the festival claimed they would have and marketed it as such, only to receive a performance that felt like a regurgitation of their recent tour setlists with minimal variation.” This comment resonated with many who felt disappointed and frustrated.

Other fans showcased their displeasure creatively, with one individual displaying a sign that read “Fuck MJK” (referring to frontman Maynard James Keenan) on their balcony after the band’s Saturday night performance, as documented on Reddit.

Diverse Perspectives from Tool Fans

Despite the predominantly negative feedback, some fans offered a different perspective regarding Tool’s performances during the festival. One individual posited that the criticism could ultimately benefit the band by reminding them that they are not above reproach and that fans expect high-quality performances. “Honestly, I think this can be good for the band. It shows them that they’re not on a pedestal and immune to criticism. They can’t produce a subpar product (referring to the setlist) and expect fans to be thrilled,” they commented, hoping this experience would serve as a valuable lesson for the band.

Conversely, some fans defended the setlists, arguing that there were indeed unique elements present. When someone shared a screenshot of the two setlists on Reddit, another fan remarked, “For Tool, this is extremely different. Seven songs are different! That’s huge! They only repeated four songs. Fe, Pnma, RS & J. I’d love to see those two nights in a row!” This perspective highlighted the complexity and depth of the band’s musical catalog.

Another fan shared a screenshot of a comment comparing the two setlists, although it was unclear whether the comment was genuine or meant to provoke. “Some of you have never gone to two shows on the same tour… and it shows. This is as mixed and fresh of a setlist as they’ve EVER played back to back. If you were expecting 100 percent different sets, then you don’t know this band at all,” they stated, emphasizing the uniqueness of the experience.

See the full screenshot below.