Geoff Tate Brings Operation: Mindcrime Final Chapter Tour to Goldfield Trading Post on September 23rd.
By Christopher Crone – Buy us a Coffee on Ko-fi https://ko-fi.com/capitalchaostv
I went into the night thinking I was simply going to see Geoff Tate perform Operation: Mindcrime live. Little did I know there would be two supporting acts, both of whom fit the theme and spirit of the evening perfectly. Rather than feeling like a typical opening lineup, it felt more like Geoff’s extended musical family had come along to warm up the room before the main event.
Opening the night was James Keegan, who immediately captured the room with a powerful voice and engaging stage presence. Performing a mix of material, Keegan delivered each song with confidence and genuine passion. His ability to connect with the audience made the early-arriving crowd feel like they were already part of something special. By the end of his set, he had plenty of attendees taking notice and earned a well-deserved round of applause.
Tomás McCarthy took the stage next, accompanied by his wife, Clódagh McCarthy, delivering a heartfelt performance rooted in family, tradition, and storytelling. The Irish singer-songwriter shared songs that reflected both his heritage and personal journey, creating an intimate atmosphere despite the packed venue. One thing I definitely wasn’t expecting to see during his set was Clódagh picking up a saxophone and joining Tomás onstage. It was an unexpected addition that added another dimension to their performance and showed just how musically versatile the evening’s “extended family” really was.
One of the evening’s most touching moments came when McCarthy spoke about his grandmother. The last time he performed in Roseville, he had to fly back to Ireland because his grandmother was very ill. He explained that Geoff and his wife did everything they could to help them during that difficult time. McCarthy also shared the exciting news that he and Clódagh have a baby on the way, adding another layer of emotion and authenticity to the performance.
Together, their harmonies brought warmth and sincerity to every song. Their set provided a perfect contrast to what was still to come while giving the audience a memorable glimpse into the stories behind the music. Little did I know that Clódagh wasn’t finished for the evening.
When Geoff Tate and his band finally took the stage, Goldfield Trading Post erupted with anticipation for what was billed as the final full performance of the legendary 1988 concept album Operation: Mindcrime. From the opening notes, it was clear the crowd understood they were witnessing something special as Tate and company worked through the album in its entirety.
Decades after its release, songs like “Revolution Calling,” “Operation: Mindcrime,” and “Eyes of a Stranger” still carried the intensity and emotional weight that helped make the record a progressive metal landmark. Tate’s voice remained strong throughout the evening, supported by an exceptional band that faithfully recreated the album’s intricate arrangements while bringing fresh energy to the material.
One of the standout moments came during “Suite Sister Mary,” the emotional centerpiece of Operation: Mindcrime. The nearly 10-minute track tells one of the album’s most dramatic chapters, with Tate taking on the role of Nikki opposite Sister Mary, the fallen nun at the center of the song’s story. The performance took on an almost theatrical, opera-like quality, and in another great full-circle moment, Clódagh McCarthy returned to the stage to accompany Geoff on keyboards while also performing the Sister Mary vocals. After seeing her play saxophone with Tomás earlier in the night, watching her step into this completely different role was one of the evening’s unexpected highlights.
The audience responded enthusiastically to every familiar lyric, transforming the venue into a celebration of one of metal’s most beloved concept albums. It wasn’t simply a band playing through an old record—it felt like watching a piece of metal history come alive onstage.
During the encore, Tate paused to reflect on the passage of time, asking the crowd how many remembered what they were doing the first time they heard songs like “Silent Lucidity.” That question hit a little differently for me. I honestly can’t remember the exact first time I heard “Queen of the Reich,” but I know the 15-year-old version of me mowed countless lawns with that EP blasting through a Sony Walkman, cranked to 11. Music has a funny way of doing that—it can sit quietly in your memory for decades and then, suddenly, one song brings the whole thing rushing back.
The evening ultimately closed with “Queen of the Reich,” sending a wave of nostalgia through the room. Forty-four years after that teenage version of me first discovered those songs, I was standing in a packed Goldfield Trading Post photographing Geoff Tate performing them live. Getting the chance to relive those memories from the other side of the photo pit was something truly special. Of course, there is one small price to pay for all those years of cranking a Sony Walkman to 11: my hearing isn’t quite what it used to be.
Some memories, though, are worth turning up one more time.
Categories: Concert Photography, Reviews
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