TOOL Live in the Sand: A Groundbreaking Metal Festival on the Beaches of Punta Cana

TOOL Live in the Sand: A One-of-a-Kind Festival Experience

To borrow a line from TOOL’s classic track “Swamp Song,” concert promoters Tyler Fey and James “Disco” Donnie Estopinal are setting the stage for heavy music fans to move—not in quicksand, but on the pristine white sands of Punta Cana. This March, the inaugural TOOL Live in the Sand festival will redefine live music experiences by merging the power of metal with the luxury of a beachside escape in the Dominican Republic.

Organized by Festication, the event is curated in collaboration with TOOL and features a powerhouse lineup, including Primus, Mastodon, and Coheed and Cambria. This marks a bold step for heavy music festivals, offering an immersive three-day spectacle that combines world-class performances with high-end accommodations and unique activities.

A New Era of Destination Festivals

While this is Festication’s first rock and metal destination festival, both Fey and Estopinal bring decades of experience to the industry. Estopinal, a veteran concert promoter, has orchestrated events worldwide since the mid-1990s, while Fey—son of legendary promoter Barry Fey—continues his father’s legacy in music production.

Having previously launched electronic music destination events such as Ember Shores and Paradise Blue, the team saw TOOL as the perfect band to lead their expansion into the rock and metal sphere. The festival’s format ensures a fan-first experience, bringing together passionate followers of the band for an exclusive and intimate getaway.

The Ultimate Heavy Music Getaway

Set against the backdrop of the Hard Rock and Royalton Bavaro hotels, TOOL Live in the Sand is more than just a music festival. Attendees can enjoy a variety of day-to-night activities, ranging from mini-golf and beer pong to catamaran excursions and zipline adventures. Metal fans can sip mimosas at a themed pool party, all while surrounded by a tropical paradise.

Adding to the artistic depth of the festival, TOOL’s long-time visual collaborators, Alex and Allyson Grey, will present a special installation, ensuring that the event transcends traditional concerts and offers a fully immersive experience.

The Perfect Setting for a Unique Experience

The juxtaposition of TOOL’s dark, progressive aesthetic with a sun-soaked beach festival setting offers an unprecedented experience for fans. As Estopinal puts it, “The whole juxtaposition of TOOL and their fans rocking out in a Jimmy Buffett-like setting on the beach… I think it’s going to be something that hasn’t really been done before.”

Fey echoes this sentiment, emphasizing that such destination events are crafted for dedicated, die-hard fans. “This isn’t for the casual concert-goer—this is for the ultimate fan who buys all the merchandise and travels from city to city to see their favorite band.”

Behind the Scenes: A Promoter’s Perspective

Fey, whose late father Barry Fey booked icons like Jimi Hendrix and The Doors, was immersed in the music business from birth. “There is only one VIP, and that is the person who bought the ticket,” he recalls his father saying—a philosophy he now brings to Festication’s events.

Estopinal, meanwhile, shares a unique history with TOOL. His first encounter with the band came in 1996, when he inadvertently ended up hosting a rave following one of their shows in New Orleans. “It was definitely a stressful situation,” he laughs, recalling thousands of fans waiting to enter the venue while TOOL continued their set past schedule. Now, nearly three decades later, he’s bringing them back in a completely different context—this time with no need to rush them off the stage.

What to Expect Next

Although the inaugural festival is shaping up to be a massive success, the promoters are already looking ahead. While some fan-favorite acts, such as Mike Patton’s projects and The Melvins, were unable to join this year, Fey hints that there are big plans for future editions.

As for the personal highlights, Fey is eager to finally see TOOL live after missing previous opportunities, particularly looking forward to hearing “Schism” in person. Estopinal, on the other hand, is ready to fully enjoy a TOOL performance—this time, without anxiously watching the clock.

For fans lucky enough to attend, TOOL Live in the Sand promises to be more than just a festival—it’s an immersive, once-in-a-lifetime journey into the heart of heavy music, set against an unforgettable tropical backdrop.