Tool is currently facing a significant class action lawsuit following the inaugural Tool Live in the Sand festival, which took place over the past weekend. This event, which marked a notable moment for the band, has now become a focal point of controversy among attendees who feel dissatisfied with their experience.
Held at the luxurious Hard Rock & Royalton Resorts in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, Tool Live in the Sand featured an impressive lineup, including performances by renowned bands such as Primus, Mastodon, and Coheed and Cambria. Tool, one of the most influential bands in progressive metal, headlined the festival on both Friday and Saturday nights, creating high expectations among fans.
Understanding the Discontent Among Tool Fans After Live in the Sand
The disappointment expressed by fans stems from the setlist presented by Tool during the festival. On the first night, they performed a ten-song set, and on the second night, they played nine songs, with four of these being repeats from the previous night [via Setlist.fm]. This repetition left attendees feeling misled, especially since the festival had promised “two unique sets” from Tool, a commitment that many feel was not honored.
As a result of this perceived betrayal, the band faced backlash during their performance on Saturday night, with some fans expressing their frustrations vocally, including booing and displaying signs like “Fuck MJK” from their hotel balconies. The online community has also witnessed a surge of discontent as numerous festival-goers shared their negative experiences and sentiments regarding the festival’s organization and performance.
Details Surrounding the Class Action Lawsuit Against Tool
Among those affected is Stas Rusek, an attorney from Georgia, who has taken the initiative to organize fellow fans who wish to join a class action lawsuit against Tool. Rusek is actively gathering supporters who feel similarly betrayed by the band’s performance at Live in the Sand.
READ MORE: 10 Signs You’re a Fan of Tool
In an interview with Metal Hammer, Rusek confirmed that they are currently investigating the potential lawsuit against the band. Having attended Tool’s performances 27 times, Rusek articulated a profound sense of disappointment during the second night of the festival, feeling that the experience fell short of expectations.
He emphasized that festival attendees were drawn in by the promise of “two unique sets” without any repeats. Although there may be debate over the interpretation of “unique,” the reality remains that many fans were motivated to invest thousands of dollars in this experience based on the anticipated setlist. Most dedicated Tool fans are quite familiar with the band’s tendency to repeat songs on tours, but this specific festival was marketed differently.
Rusek reassured those considering joining the lawsuit that they would not incur any fees unless they achieve a favorable outcome.
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Queue “Winners and Losers” by Social Distortion.
Gallery Credit: Taylor Linzinmeir