In this vibrant conversation recorded at Louder Than Life Festival, Pipeman sits down with Troy Sanders of Mastodon to talk festival experiences, the evolution of live music in the US and Europe, creative longevity, bucket-list bands, personal passions beyond music, and what makes performing so magical for both artists and fans.Main Topics Covered
- Mastodon’s history with Louder Than Life and Wimmer festivals
- Festival culture: comparing US and European experiences
- Artist hospitality and what sets Wimmer events apart
- Recent highlights and magical moments from Mastodon’s career
- The art of sustained musical creativity and writing new material
- Tour bucket lists and favorite bands
- The joys of domestic life and cooking while off tour
- Early concert experiences and their lasting impact
- The irreplaceable magic of live performance and fan connection
Key Discussions & StoriesPlaying Louder Than Life & Wimmer Festivals
- Troy Sanders reflects on Mastodon’s many appearances at Louder Than Life, highlighting a particularly memorable set opening for Ozzy Osbourne about a decade ago 00:49.
- Troy Sanders praises the Wimmer team for thoughtful artist amenities (A/C, bathrooms, catering), contrasting with European festivals like Hellfest, and emphasizing how these details reduce performer stress 01:20.
Comparing US & European Festivals
- Discussion on how US festivals have evolved to match the scale and quality of European giants thanks in part to Wimmer’s research and innovation, including learning best practices from events like Hellfest 02:04, 04:01.
Magic Moments & Touring Legends
- Troy Sanders shares that his standout recent memory was performing at the final Black Sabbath “Back to the Beginning” show—a dream come true that still gives him a buzz 04:35.
- Mastodon’s opened for and toured with icons: Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath, Slayer, Judas Priest, and Tool, fulfilling almost every dream on their tour wish list 05:09.
Sustaining Creativity & New Music
- The band still writes prolifically thanks to an undimmed creative passion, crediting each member’s unique contribution 06:53.
- Mastodon’s new record was released just three weeks ago, and they’re already writing new material while on tour 07:21.
- Troy Sanders discusses avoiding complacency, seeking out new musical and geographical frontiers, and always looking forward 08:13.
World Tour Aspirations
- While having played in over 40 countries, Mastodon still dreams of visiting places like Korea, China, and South Africa 08:39.
Passions Beyond Music
- Troy Sanders finds joy in domestic routines at home—especially slow-cooking meals using the Crock-Pot and even mowing the lawn—activities he misses while touring 09:22.
Formative Concert Experiences
- The first concert to truly “floor” Troy Sanders was Metallica’s “Justice for All” tour with Queensryche 10:45, especially the theatrical stage show and the electric audience participation.
The Magic of Live Performance
- Troy Sanders cherishes the unique, intangible energy between band and crowd—whether in front of 4 or 40,000 people—and calls it “the most beautiful thing I’ve ever witnessed” 13:00.
- Pipeman proposes the ultimate solution to world peace: a global metal festival where everyone, except political leaders, sorts things out in the mosh pit and hugs it out after 13:53.
Notable Quotes
- “It’s a good problem to have when you can’t remember how many times you’ve played a magnificent festival.” — Troy Sanders 01:06
- “Live music is very alive and healthy, and it’s unbelievable. It’s magic out there.” — Troy Sanders 02:22
- “We’ve toured with Iron Maiden and Black Sabbath and Slayer and Judas Priest and Tool… it’s been a magical ride.” — Troy Sanders 05:12
- “If I could pick one that’s fresh on top of my head, it’s the Black Sabbath show last year.” — Troy Sanders 05:16
- “This fire…has yet to be extinguished in all five of us.” — Troy Sanders 07:30
- “It’s not a handshake, it’s not a hug, but it’s this thing in the ether…the most beautiful thing I’ve ever witnessed.” — Troy Sanders 13:21
- “One major metal festival the whole world’s required to attend…” — Pipeman 13:53
Resources & Links Mentioned
Pipeman in the Pit is a music, festival, and interview segment of The Adventures of Pipeman Radio Show (#pipemanradio) and from The King of All Festivals while on The Pipeman Radio Tour.
Click Here to Subscribe for PERKS, BONUS Content & FREE GIVEWAYS!
Follow @pipemanradio on all socials & Pipeman Radio Requests & Info at linktr.ee/pipemanradio
Stream The Adventures of Pipeman daily & live Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays at 1PM ET on W4CY Radio & Talk 4 TV.
Download, Rate & Review the Podcast at The Adventures of Pipeman, Pipeman Radio, Talk 4 Media, iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, YouTube & All Podcast Apps.
