Written by: Christie Bilbo
On Wednesday night (July 30th), The Bomb Factory was vibrant with soulful jazz and blues tunes. MonoNeon and Primus performed, drawing a long line of people two blocks deep despite the 100-degree heat, all eager to get inside. The audience was excited, confident that Primus would deliver a fantastic show, but they were also curious about the opening act.
First, I want to highlight how quickly everyone was admitted. Security had already completed their tasks by verifying IDs and wrist-banding those who were 21 and over. If someone was underage, they received a large X marked with a marker. By 7 p.m., when the doors opened, people were entering rapidly.
The merchandise table is the first thing you see upon entering. Four people are selling Primus shirts and one table for MonoNeon, and the lines moved quickly. The shirts ranged from $45 to $50. Primus also had an artist create a special poster for the night, which sold quickly.
Parking has always been a source of frustration for me. I parked at the D.E. Parking lot located at 2700 Commerce, next to the Angry Dog Grill. It’s conveniently close, just a few blocks away, and easy to find. The issue was that the attendant lied about the price: it’s $20 cash or $25 with a card, yet I was charged $27.12. On the plus side, they monitored the vehicles attentively. When I asked how long they would watch the cars, he replied, ‘until all the cars are gone.’ However, I was still overcharged. Also, be aware that a tow truck with a driver was present to monitor the parking. Be sure not to park in unauthorized areas, as your vehicle may be towed or impounded upon your return.
Regarding this being in Deep Ellum, it wasn’t too bad. I noticed a few homeless people, but I assume that since it was a weeknight, the chaos that Deep Ellum is famous for was subdued. I’m always a bit cautious when heading to that side of town, as reports of fights and similar incidents often surface. However, those usually happen on weekends.
Inside The Bomb Factory, you find several bars positioned along the sides and one in the center as you enter. Since I don’t drink, I’m unaware of the drink prices, but I noticed they offer some spiked slushy drinks.
If you haven’t visited The Bomb Factory, there are two viewing options. Most people choose general admission, which is on the floor. There’s also balcony seating that surrounds the general admission area. These seats offer a great view, allowing you to see everything. A word of caution: I attended with general admission, which had no seats on the floor. After four hours of standing on concrete, my back and knees were sore. So, come prepared with supportive shoes—my Vans were not comfortable.
The temperature at the venue was comfortable, considering the crowd on the floor. I’ve been there before, and it was similar. It’s not too hot despite the proximity of everyone around you. They keep it cool enough so you’re not freezing, but not so warm that you feel like you’re about to pass out from the body heat.
I had never heard of MonoNeon and was unsure of what to expect. I overheard he once played with Prince, which prompted me to look him up. What I discovered was quite fascinating: he plays bass left-handed on a right-handed bass guitar that’s upside down. He has performed in various bands across different genres, starting in 2009 with a gospel group. In 2010, he contributed to a Grammy-winning album with Ne-Yo. By 2013, he appeared on the Martin Lawrence show. His collaboration with Prince began in 2016, when Prince was forming a new band called Paisley Park, with MonoNeon as his bassist. Flea even called MonoNeon “the greatest electric bass player,” highlighting his remarkable talent!
To kick off his set at 8 p.m., his drummer took the stage first and performed a solo. He energized the crowd with his performance before the pianist and lead guitarist joined him. As they played some riffs, an odd-looking individual in an eccentric outfit suddenly appeared. He wore a bright, neon-yellow crocheted mask that completely covered his head and face, along with a pair of neon-yellow 80s-style sunglasses. His bass guitar had a yellow and green tube sock hanging from its headstock. His outfit resembled a grandmother’s quilted jacket and matching quilted pants—truly the craziest outfit I’ve ever seen, and he wore it throughout the entire night!
He had the crowd mesmerized, with heads bobbing to a blend of funk, jazz, and blues. I’d describe what we heard last night as some good baby-making music. Despite his set comprising six songs, he played for nearly 45 minutes. He captivated the audience from the start with his first song, “Jelly Roll.” When he performed “Stereo” and “Tell Me That This Love Ain’t Real,” people around me commented on how great the music was. His closing song, “Life is a Glittery Fuckery,” left the crowd spellbound. After he and his band left the stage, many people were discussing how impressed they were. One person even said they didn’t expect such an incredible surprise.
Primus took the stage to a crowd chanting, “Primus Sucks.” Before discussing their set, I want to say…Primus is incredible. The band, composed of three members, features the well-known Les Claypool on bass and vocals. Larry LaLonde plays guitar, and John Hoffman, who joined the band in February 2025, handles the drums. The band has been active since 1984 and is famous for its quirky graphics, songs, and psychedelic visual art.
Les Claypool is widely regarded as one of the top bassists. He’s famous for his unique slapping technique. While there are debates about his skills and technicalities, no one can deny his talent. He’s performed with Sean Lennon, Buckethead, and Talking Heads and is a close friend of Maynard James Keenan. Last year, I saw Primus, Puscifer, and A Perfect Circle, and the show was incredible.
At 9:15, Primus stepped onto the stage and immediately ignited the crowd. Their opening song, “Here Come the Bastards,” got everyone pumped up. Within just a minute of starting, crowd surfing began, with nearly everyone participating. They kept the energy high with songs like “Jilly’s on Smack,” “Seas of Cheese,” and “Follow the Fool,” a new track from their album “Little Lord Fentanyl.” However, it was their hit “My Name is Mud” that genuinely made the venue explode—people were jumping and grooving so much that movement became difficult. They also performed an encore featuring MonoNeon’s “Southbound Pachyderm,” with Les and Mono playing together, which sent the crowd into a state of pure ecstasy.
I found it amusing that they didn’t thank the crowd or say goodbye. Everyone stood there confused, unaware that “Southbound Pachyderm” was the final song. Even when “Pure Imagination” from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory began to play, people looked at each other, uncertain if there would be an encore. It was only when the roadies started packing up the horse head mask that the audience got the hint and began to leave.
I just wanted to share how amazing this concert was. It has been one of the most enjoyable and pleasant experiences this year. I was slightly disappointed they didn’t play “Wynona’s Big Brown Beaver,” but Primus is known for not sticking to the same setlist every night. They often change their performances to surprise the audience, which I truly appreciate.
Despite my back and knees killing me by the time I walked to my car, this was such an epic concert.
We have a lot of amazing concerts coming this summer and fall. Buy you a ticket and let the music transport you from reality for a few hours and just immerse yourself.
See y’all at the next concert.
MonoNeon
Primus
