Puscifer – British Airways ARC, London, 7 November 2026

I’ve been to plenty of gigs over the years, but every now and again you see something that reminds you just how different a live music experience can be. Puscifer at British Airways ARC in Olympia was definitely one of those nights.

Before the support act even started, the audience were told to put their mobile phones and cameras away, with a clear warning that anyone seen recording would be removed from the building. It was a strict rule, but one that I came to appreciate even more as the evening went on.

First up was Dave Hill, who provided the support with his own unusual combination of stand-up comedy and music. He made quite an entrance, coming onto the stage spinning his nunchucks and repeatedly managing to smack himself in the face with them, all while shouting “FUCK!” It was certainly an unexpected way to start! He then launched into some stand-up comedy before eventually being joined by his band for a selection of equally comical songs about chat up lines. It was all wonderfully silly, completely unpredictable and a great way to warm up the audience.

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Before Puscifer came on, we were reminded again that phones and cameras had to stay away and that anyone caught recording would be removed from the venue. There was no messing about with the rule!

Puscifer took to the stage at 8.30pm, with the show running through until 10.30pm. There was a ten-minute intermission halfway through, giving everyone a chance to catch their breath before the second half.

From the opening track, ‘Thrust’, followed by ‘Self Evident’ and ‘Bad Wolf’, it was clear this wasn’t going to be a straightforward rock concert.

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I was absolutely mesmerised by the stage production. Maynard James Keenan and Carina Round looked almost otherworldly, dressed as their respective characters, Bellendia Black and Fanny Grey. The costumes, makeup and overall appearance were quite extraordinary. At times it felt more like watching a piece of surreal live performance art than a band playing a gig.

The production was fantastic, with the visuals, lighting and staging all adding to the atmosphere. There was so much going on that you really didn’t know where to look next. It was dark, theatrical, occasionally strange and often very amusing. You couldn’t take your eyes off it.

Musically, the set leaned heavily towards the new Normal Isn’t album, with ‘Normal Isn’t’, ‘The Algorithm’, ‘The Quiet Parts’ and ‘Pendulum’ among the tracks featured. The newer songs have a darker, more electronic feel, with plenty of atmosphere and some great interplay between Maynard and Carina. Puscifer have always been difficult to pigeonhole, and this material certainly doesn’t change that.

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There was also a good selection of older favourites, including ‘The Arsonist’, ‘Mantastic’, ‘Bullet Train to Iowa’ and ‘The Remedy’. The latter was a particularly welcome inclusion and brought a different energy to the set.

The second half continued with ‘The Humbling River’, a real highlight for me. It’s one of those songs that has a different emotional weight to some of the band’s more unusual material, and it was lovely to hear it included.

‘ImpetuoUs’, ‘Momma Sed’, ‘Seven One’ and ‘Grand Canyon’ followed, giving the set a good mixture of moods and sounds. The balance between the newer material and older favourites worked well, keeping the evening interesting throughout.

During ‘Conditions of My Parole’, we were treated to another appearance from Dave Hill. This time he came cycling across the stage wearing a disco-ball bike helmet and spinning his nunchucks. The audience absolutely loved it, breaking into chants of “Dave! Dave! Dave!” as he made his way across the stage. Completely surreal, utterly ridiculous and very funny. Having already entertained us earlier, he clearly wasn’t finished yet!

The evening finished with ‘A Public Stoning’, rounding off an 18-song set and two thoroughly entertaining hours.

Something else I particularly loved about the evening was the no-mobile-phone and no-camera policy. Phones were kept away throughout Puscifer’s performance, right up until the final song ‘A Public Stoning’, when Maynard spoke about the difference between watching a concert through a phone screen and actually being there to experience it.

I thought this was brilliant. It took me straight back to when I first started going to concerts, long before smartphones existed. Back then, you didn’t spend the evening trying to film every song or worrying about whether you’d captured a decent video. You just watched, listened and enjoyed yourself.

Looking around and seeing everyone taking in the performance rather than holding up their phones was genuinely refreshing. I loved it, and I think it made the whole experience that much better. Maynard made a good point, and it’s something I’d happily see more bands introduce. After all, you go to a gig to experience it, not watch it through a screen.

What I really enjoyed was that Puscifer didn’t just turn up, play their songs and go home. There was so much more to the evening. The music, the characters, the stage production and those unexpected moments all came together to create something quite different.

Maynard and Carina were fascinating to watch, the musicianship was excellent, and the whole production was something special.

But perhaps my favourite part was being able to enjoy the whole thing without a sea of mobile phones in front of me. It reminded me of the days when going to a gig really meant being part of the experience.

Two hours well spent, and a thoroughly entertaining night from a band who continue to do things their own way.

Puscifer: wonderfully weird, brilliantly theatrical and definitely not normal.