Some concerts you go to just to hear the songs live. A Puscifer show is… not that. On March 27, 2026, at The Pinnacle in Nashville, it felt more like stepping into some weird, trippy art project that just happened to have incredible music playing the whole time. That is the magic that Maynard, Carina, and Mat deliver, a stage show that is loaded with social commentary, antics, and stellar performances. Puscifer even brought along comedian Dave Hill to open for them.
Dave Hill kicked the evening off with his wild performance that included everything from poorly riding a bicycle, playing with nun chucks, and even a couple of musical numbers. Dave played off of the crowd and had the audience rolling as he delivered a list of pick up lines that could only work in Nashville. He ended his set with a hilariously long song describing his first fight with his girlfriend’s sister’s boyfriend, which ended with him riding off stage with his miniature back. It was apparent that after Dave, anything was possible at the Pinnacle Friday evening.
When it was time for Puscifer to take the stage, the lights dropped and a brief skit played on the screen having the crowd to agree to a no phones experience, which really made the show more personal as everyone was focused on the stage and not the back of their screens recording. After the video played and the lights went down, you could tell this wasn’t going to be a normal night…Normal Isn’t. The stage setup, the visuals, even the way the band carried themselves, it all had that signature offbeat Puscifer vibe. Kind of sci-fi, kind of sarcastic, kind of “what am I even watching right now?” in the best way.
They kicked things off with “Thrust,” and it didn’t take long for the crowd to settle into the mood, with Maynard James Keenan and Carina Round enveloped in the darkness of the back of the stage, things started mysterious and continued that way throughout the evening. Instead of a big explosive moment right out of the gate, the opening as well as everything else felt really controlled and intentional. Everything flowed into the next song without much downtime, and it honestly felt more like one long piece than a bunch of separate songs.
The newer songs from this years album “Normal Isn’t” fit perfectly in that setting. Songs like “The Algorithm” and “The Quiet Parts” slowed things down and pulled everyone into this almost hypnotic groove. Then you’d get something like “Bullet Train to Iowa” or “The Remedy” to bring the energy back up just enough. It never felt like a rollercoaster, it was more like a steady, weirdly mesmerizing ride that involved everything from energy dancing to an awkward moment with a shake weight, and even a nerf gun fight.
The crowd got breaks with an odd “Bangers and Mashups” video and a brief intermission that ended with a stellar rendition of “The Humbling River” that was electronica laced. The anything but normal performance concluded with Dave Hill joining them on stage to deliver a solo for the ending of “A Public Stoning”.
Honestly, the best way to describe the whole night: an experience. There were these in-between moments with visuals and humor that made it feel more like a performance than just a concert. At times it felt like you were watching a movie unfold live on stage. The evening delivered one of the wildest concerts that Nashville has seen. It was weird and anything but normal, living up to the tour moniker Normal Isn’t… It is a show that you need to see to experience.
Puscifer’s Normal Isn’t tour continues May 14th, 2026. For upcoming shows, visit https://puscifer.com/#tour.
Follow Puscifer and Dave Hill on their socials below:
Puscifer: Instagram // Facebook
Dave Hill: Instagram // Facebook
