Tool Faces Class-Action Lawsuit After Failing to Deliver on “Unique Sets” at Tool in the Sand Festival

Tool Faces Backlash and Potential Lawsuit Over “Tool in the Sand” Festival Performance

Tool is facing intense backlash, and potentially a class-action lawsuit, after disappointing fans at their inaugural destination festival, Tool in the Sand, held in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. The band, which headlined the exclusive event, had promised to perform “two unique sets” over two nights. However, many fans were left frustrated when the second night’s setlist featured multiple repeats from the first performance.

The festival, which took place over the weekend, featured performances from notable acts such as Primus, Mastodon, and Coheed and Cambria. However, the primary attraction for fans was the chance to witness Tool deliver two completely different sets, a commitment that was not upheld.

Repeated Songs and Shortened Setlist Spark Fan Outrage

On Friday, Tool’s set included hits like Schism, Stinkfist, and Vicarious. However, their Saturday night performance disappointed many attendees as it featured a nine-song setlist with four repeats from the previous night: Fear Inoculum, Jambi, Pneuma, and Rosetta Stoned. This led to audible frustration from the crowd, with some attendees reportedly booing and shouting obscenities toward the stage.

Fans were particularly upset due to the high cost of festival attendance, with some stating they had spent upwards of $3,000 for what was marketed as a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Many had expected the type of variation seen in Metallica’s M72 World Tour, where the band played two completely different setlists across consecutive nights.

Adding to the controversy, Tool had initially promised a 90-minute set each night but reportedly performed for only around 75 minutes. At the time of writing, the band has not issued a statement in response to the criticism.

Legal Action Looms as Fans Seek Compensation

The controversy has led to legal discussions, with one festival attendee, Georgia-based lawyer Stas Rusek, exploring the possibility of a class-action lawsuit. In a statement shared with Metal Hammer, Rusek emphasized the sense of betrayal felt among the attendees:

“The potential lawsuit against the promoters of Tool in the Sand is indeed being investigated. We have had lots of interest from Tool fans who attended the festival, a category which I personally fall into.”

Rusek, who has seen Tool perform live 27 times prior to the festival, expressed his frustration:

“There was a palpable sense of betrayal in the air as the show began the second night, and it lingered throughout the remainder of the weekend. What it boils down to is that purchasers of the festival package were promised ‘two unique sets’ by Tool. While some argue over the interpretation of ‘unique,’ the reality is that fans paid thousands of dollars under the expectation that no songs would be repeated.”

Many Tool fans are accustomed to repeated songs on tour due to the band’s intricate stage production. However, Rusek argues that this was not what was promised for the festival and that many fans would not have paid for the experience had they known what to expect.

While some fans see this as an opportunity for the band to acknowledge and learn from the situation, others are eager to pursue legal action. Whether the lawsuit will move forward remains to be seen, but it is clear that Tool’s reputation has taken a hit among their dedicated fanbase.