Photos by Bang Ho
On June 23, ACL Live became the center of Les Claypool’s musical universe as Claypool Gold rolled into Austin. The evening was a celebration of three distinct chapters of Claypool’s career, featuring Primus, Les Claypool’s Fearless Flying Frog Brigade, and The Claypool Lennon Delirium in one continuous, ever-changing performance.
The Frog Brigade set the tone with loose, psychedelic jams that leaned into groove and atmosphere. The larger lineup allowed the music to breathe, creating long instrumental passages that rewarded attentive listening without ever feeling aimless. It showed that Claypool has always been just as comfortable exploring textures as he is writing unforgettable bass lines.
The Claypool Lennon Delirium shifted the evening into stranger territory. Sean Ono Lennon’s guitar work and vocals complemented Claypool perfectly, creating songs that balanced psychedelic rock with progressive experimentation, Their chemistry remains one of the more unique partnerships in music, with both pushing each other toward unexpected places.
By the time Primus took over, the energy hit the ceiling. The band’s trademark combination of technical precision, humor, and heavy bass driven rhythms reminded everyone why Primus stands alone after decades. Claypool’s bass remained the undeniable centerpiece, and songs that have become fan favorites over the years still sounded vibrant as ever.
What made Claypool Gold especially memorable wasn’t simply seeing three bands in one night. It was watching the different sides of Les Claypool’s musical personality unfold over nearly three hours. The psychedelic improvisation of the Frog Brigade, the adventurous songwriting of The Claypool Lennon Delirium, and the controlled madness of Primus each highlighted a different strength while feeling like pieces of the same larger story. Claypool Gold feels refreshingly creative and celebrates the wonderfully strange career of one of rock’s most original artists. It was clear that there really isn’t anyone else making music like Les Claypool.
If you get the chance to catch the Claypool Gold Tour, do it.
