Les Claypool, along with Sean Lennon, will perform at the 2023 Riverbend Festival, according to an announcement released by Claypool's management Tuesday and confirmed by a Riverbend spokesperson.
Robin Derryberry with Derryberry Public Relations confirmed Claypool will perform at the festival Sunday, June 4, with the Les Claypool Fearless Flying Frog Brigade. The band is reuniting for a tour after a 20-year hiatus.
Claypool has also performed as part of Primus, which he founded in 1984; supergroup Oysterhead with Trey Anastasio of Phish and The Police drummer Stewart Copeland; as well as The Claypool Lennon Delirium with Lennon, the son of John Lennon and Yoko Ono.
The Flying Frog Brigade was formed in the summer of 2000 and will feature Claypool (bass), Lennon (guitar), Harry Waters (keys), Paulo Baldi (drums), Mike Dillon (percussion) and Skerik (horns). The set will include a full performance of Pink Floyd's iconic 10th studio album "Animals."
"It is reassuring to know that certain frogs can and do fly," Claypool said in the news release.
Select June performances will also include a co-headlining set with Jerry Harrison and Adrian Belew's "Remain In Light" Tour, which finds the Talking Heads members performing songs from a monumental period of the band's history.
The Flying Frog Brigade released two live recordings in 2001, "Live Frogs Set 1" and "Live Frogs Set 2." Set 1 is a mix of covers and originals, including King Crimson's "Thela Hun Ginjeet" and Pink Floyd's "Shine On You Crazy Diamond." Set 2 is a live cover of the entire Pink Floyd album, "Animals." A studio album was also released in 2002 entitled "Purple Onion."
Claypool is well respected in music circles and on the festival circuit for his unpredictable shows.
"Let's put it this way ... I think, with Primus and without, I've played every music festival in the last 10 years, except Lilith Fair," Claypool said in the announcement. "You could say I'm the guy who doesn't fit in anywhere, but a little bit everywhere."
Derryberry said the full Riverbend lineup is still being finalized and should be released in the coming weeks. The festival is scheduled for June 2-4 at Ross's Landing.
Contact Barry Courter at bcourter@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6354.