The progressive metal band Tool is scheduled to perform in Toronto, Ontario, Canada in October 2023 as part of their Fear Inoculum tour. Tool has cultivated a large fanbase in Toronto and across Canada over their decades-long career. Their upcoming shows are highly anticipated by their Canadian fans, who are eager to see the band perform live again.
Tool’s History in Toronto
Tool has a long history of performances in Toronto, dating back to the 1990s. Some of their most notable and memorable shows in the city include:
May 1993 – Concert Hall
One of Tool’s earliest shows in Toronto was on May 23, 1993 at the historic Concert Hall. This performance was part of their tour supporting their debut album Undertow which was released earlier that year. At this point in their career, Tool were still gaining mainstream popularity and recognition.
March 1997 – Kool Haus
On March 1, 1997, Tool returned to Toronto to perform at Kool Haus in support of their sophomore album Ænima. By this point, Tool had broken through to the mainstream rock and metal scenes with hits like “Sober” and “Stinkfist.” Their show at Kool Haus was met with high energy and enthusiasm from their growing Canadian fanbase.
July 2001 – Molson Amphitheatre
In the summer of 2001, Tool brought their Lateralus tour to Toronto for a major outdoor show at the Molson Amphitheatre. They performed in front of one of their largest crowds in the city at that point, demonstrating how they had developed into arena rock headliners. Songs from Lateralus like “Schism” and “Parabol/Parabola” had become fan favorites.
October 2023 Toronto Shows
After a 13 year gap between albums, Tool released their long-awaited fifth studio album Fear Inoculum in 2019. On this accompanying concert tour, they are set to play two nights in Toronto:
October 18, 2023 – Scotiabank Arena
Tool will kick off their Toronto engagement with a show at Scotiabank Arena (previously known as Air Canada Centre) on Wednesday, October 18, 2023. With a capacity of around 20,000, this will be one of the biggest indoor Tool concerts in the city’s history. Fans are eagerly snapping up tickets to see the band debut songs from Fear Inoculum in a large arena setting.
October 19, 2023 – Scotiabank Arena
Due to high demand, a second Toronto show was added for Thursday, October 19, 2023, again to take place at Scotiabank Arena. Devoted Tool fans now have two opportunities to catch the band live and hear favorites spanning their entire catalog from the early 1990s to today. These shows will certainly be unforgettable high-energy musical marathons.
Setlist Expectations
Tool are known for their dynamic, lengthy, and unpredictable setlists that pull from their 30+ years of material. While it’s impossible to know for certain which songs they will play in Toronto, fans can make some educated guesses based on recent setlists on this tour:
Fear Inoculum Album Tracks
Being that this is the Fear Inoculum tour, it is very likely that Tool will perform a significant portion of tracks from their latest album. Songs like “Fear Inoculum,” “Pneuma,” “Invincible,” and “7empest” have been concert staples so far.
Signature Older Songs
Certain classic Tool tracks are mainstays in their shows. Look for hits like “Sober,” “Schism,” “Vicarious,” “The Pot,” and “Forty Six & 2” to very likely be on the setlists. Plus deeper fan-favorite cuts such as “Jambi,” “The Grudge,” and “Right In Two.”
Lengthy Improvisational Passages
Tool are prone to stretch out their live performances with long improvised instrumental segments, extended solos, artsy visuals, and abstract interludes between songs. Their shows often exceed two hours in length.
Song Name | Album | Likelihood of Being Played |
---|---|---|
Fear Inoculum | Fear Inoculum | Extremely Likely |
Pneuma | Fear Inoculum | Extremely Likely |
The Pot | 10,000 Days | Very Likely |
Forty Six & 2 | Ænima | Very Likely |
Hooker With a Penis | Ænima | Possible |
This table shows some of the songs that are most likely to be included in Tool’s Toronto setlists, based on their album origin and how frequently they’ve been played on the current tour. Of course some rarities and surprises are also a possibility!
Opening Acts
The artists opening for Tool on their North American tour dates include:
- Blonde Redhead – an experimental indie rock trio
- The Acid Helps – a heavy psych-rock band
These openers are scheduled to perform abbreviated sets prior to Tool taking the stage. Their music styles should nicely complement the headliner.
Ticket Availability
Given Tool’s immensely dedicated fanbase and the long gap since their last Toronto shows, demand for tickets is expected to be extremely high. Here are some options for securing tickets:
Verified Resale
If the primary ticket allotments sell out quickly, verified resale sites like StubHub are a good option for finding seats. There will likely be a markup on pricing, but resale inventory will be available.
Scotiabank Arena Box Office
Any last minute ticket releases would be available at the Scotiabank Arena box office on the day of the show. Fans may be able to snag seats here even if online sales are sold out.
Outside the Venue
As with many major concerts, scalpers and other fans may be selling extra tickets outside the venue leading up to show time. Prices could be inflated.
Traffic and Parking
With 20,000 excitable Tool fans converging on downtown Toronto, navigating traffic and parking will require extra planning:
Public Transit
Taking the TTC to Scotiabank Arena is recommended. The venue is accessible via the Union subway station which offers a covered walkway right to the arena entrance.
Pre-Paid Parking
Pre-paying for parking in the venue garage or nearby lots is advised to save time and hassle. Spots fill up fast on major event nights.
Arrive Early
Allow plenty of extra time when traveling to the show. Expect significant delays getting downtown due to traffic and closures in the immediate arena vicinity. Heading in early helps avoid headaches.
Conclusion
Tool’s upcoming concerts in Toronto are bound to be incredible spectacles full of the band’s iconic sweeping prog-metal and visual artistry. Fans who secure tickets to one or both Scotiabank Arena shows are in for an unforgettable experience. Tool has cultivated a massive following in the Toronto area, and the band always rises to the occasion with landmark performances in the city. This October engagement is sure to go down as another legendary chapter in Tool’s Ontario concert history.