Mastodon fans in Atlanta were treated to a rare and intimate experience this past Friday, Sept. 11, as the band took to the stage at The Earl for a secret warmup show. Billed under the pseudonym Big Hairy Elephant, the group utilized the small venue to prepare for their upcoming Poisonous Weapons Tour. The evening was marked by the live debut of several tracks from their 2026 album, Marrow Deep, and a special collaboration with Baroness frontman John Baizley.
A Night of Rarities and Debuts
The setlist offered a deep dive into the band’s catalog, balancing new material with long-dormant classics. Mastodon opened with the live debut of “Barbarians Blood,” followed by performances of “In the Ruins” and “Poisonous Weapons.” The band also revisited fan favorites such as “Crystal Skull,” “Megalodon,” and “Black Tongue.”
The energy shifted significantly when John Baizley joined the band for the final six tracks of the night. This collaboration included rare performances of “Curl of the Burl,” “Colony of Birchmen,” and “Oblivion,” songs that had not been played live by the band in several years. The set concluded with a powerful rendition of “Blood and Thunder.”
We had a blast at the Earl last night! A great pre-tour warm up before we break out the lasers and LED screens. Our good pal, John Baizley from @yourbaroness joined us, we had so much fun, we’ve invited him join us on stage during The Poisonous Weapons Tour to play a special set of Mastodon songs we haven’t played in a long time!
Touring Plans and Legal Developments
Following the success of the secret show, Mastodon confirmed that Baizley will join them for the duration of the Poisonous Weapons Tour. The tour, which also features Deafheaven and Alcest, is scheduled to kick off on Sept. 16 in Orlando, Florida.
The band also recently addressed a public legal dispute involving the estate of their late guitarist, Brent Hinds. In an official statement, the group denied allegations of ill intent regarding the estate’s claims over business interests and the use of Hinds’ likeness in promotional materials for Marrow Deep. The band stated they intend to defend themselves against the lawsuit while continuing to honor Hinds’ memory and musical legacy.
