Not long back home from seeing Tool at Birmingham Resorts World / NEC, supported by Brass Against.
Tool implemented a strict no camera policy including phones with any culprits caught being ejected. This created an experience akin to being back in the 80s and early 90s with a sea of heads and faces all watching the band rather than through a screen. I did see 3 people ejected over the course of the night. Brilliantly/ironically, the band announced before the final song that people could now get their phones out and take photos if they wanted. Only a small % did, possibly as the lighting wasn't the brightest.
Anyway the gig was great. Very very loud. Tool are known for long songs and their total of 12 songs/tunes over a total playing time of 2hrs 10 mins is indeed the longest average per song I've ever been to!
Support was from Brass Against who are an 8 piece band with 1 singer, 1 drummer and 6 Brass instrument players. They covered several songs including 2 of Tool's thus being the first time I've ever seen a support act play cover versions of the main act due on stage after them. They soon wore out their welcome with me as I can now only think of a Brass band version next time I hear Led
Zep's Kashmir, RATM'S Killing In The Name Of, or even Tool's 46&2
Tl;Dr Tool were great. Great first 35 mins of visual effects in particular through use of see through curtian/tifo projecting images yet allowing us to see band. Brass Against aren't for everyone.