Primus took the stage at Oakland’s Fox Theatre on December 30 and 31, 2025, to celebrate the New Year. The band honored Ozzy Osbourne and performed an Oysterhead track live for the first time. Bassist Les Claypool, guitarist Larry “Ler” LaLonde, and drummer John Hoffman brought their Bay Area roots to the show as they welcomed 2026.
On December 31, the performance featured singing clown Puddles Pity Party. He started the night solo and joined the band at midnight to perform. An image of Osbourne appeared on the screen behind them, adding to the tribute. The song, from Oysterhead’s 2001 album *The Grand Pecking Order*, tells the story of a Vietnam veteran who finally gets to share his tale. Claypool, Phish’s Trey Anastasio, and Stewart Copeland from The Police make up Oysterhead.
Fans showed up in clown costumes and competed for prizes. The band shared a message about how jesters now speak truth better than politicians. They encouraged everyone to embrace empathy and optimism as they welcomed the new year, saying, “Send in the Clowns.”
The setlist included songs from across the band’s career, featuring collaborations and classics. The encore brought Puddles back for a special performance, ending with a Dio cover that hadn’t been played since August 2024. The December 30 show kicked off with a bang, but there’s no word yet on where Primus will perform in 2026. Stay tuned for more updates!
