By: Jenafur Schlangen
Chicago, Illinois
July 11, 2025
July 11th in Chicago brought thunder in more ways than one. Though, to be clear, the skies held off just long enough for Primus to take the stage and give Chicago exactly what they had been waiting for.
With severe thunderstorms in the forecast, the Salt Shed wisely moved up set times to keep the evening smooth and safe. And while the rain mostly waited until after the final notes rang out, the energy in the air made the whole night feel charged. Fans arrived early, buzzing with anticipation, while some began wrapping their phones in plastic bags to protect them, as the wind started to pick up and the skies started to darken. Primus was in town, and the weird was about to begin.
The Salt Shed’s Fairgrounds Stage continues to be one of the best spots in the city for a live show. There’s just something special about it, most definitely. The sound hits right, the layout flows naturally, and there’s enough space to breathe without losing that up-close intensity. On top of that, the staff are incredibly chill, allowing fans to fully enjoy the show. And, even under the threat of stormy skies, the atmosphere was nothing short of electric.
Les Claypool walked out looking like a psychedelic shaman, and as soon as he laid into his first bassline, the crowd was locked in. That signature Claypool sound that are slippery, funky, and totally unbothered by convention, rattled through the venue in the best possible way. He’s a showman through and through, constantly toeing the line between unhinged and totally in control.
Guitarist Larry “Ler” LaLonde was as sharp as ever, unleashing chaos and color in every solo, while weaving his way through a mix of tightly composed riffs and complete sonic madness. But one of the biggest moments of the night came behind the drum kit, as this was the first tour with new drummer John Hoffman.
If anyone in the crowd was nervous about how Hoffman would fit into the wild, mathy world of Primus rhythms, those doubts vanished fast. He was locked in from the first beat. Confident, controlled, and clearly having fun, Hoffman honored the legacy of past drummers while putting his own fresh stamp on the sound. It felt like he belonged and he knew it.
The setlist delivered everything fans could have hoped for. “My Name Is Mud,” “Wynona’s Big Brown Beaver,” “Jerry Was a Race Car Driver,” “Too Many Puppies.” It was all hits, no filler. There were also deeper cuts and extended jams that let the band stretch out and get even weirder. And the crowd? Fully along for the ride.
Throughout the night, you could feel the sky looming, flashes of lightning off in the distance, wind picking up just enough to make it dramatic, but the storm never quite hit. It was like the weather was waiting its turn, letting Primus finish what they came to do. The band played with urgency, like they knew they were racing nature and still weren’t about to cut corners.
As a fan and photographer, I was thrilled to be there capturing it all. I’ve embedded a full photo and video gallery below to give you a glimpse of the night’s energy, from onstage madness to the crowd’s beautiful chaos. Whether you were there or not, the visuals tell their own loud, strange story.
Primus doesn’t just put on a show, they create an experience. And on this night, as clouds hovered above and basslines echoed across the Chicago skyline, they reminded us exactly why they’re still one of the most unique and unstoppable live bands out there. Please check out their official website (link below) for upcoming tour dates at a location near you. Highly recommend!
Primus – OFFICIAL WEBSITE
Salt Shed – OFFICIAL WEBSITE
