Motley Crue Marks 20th Anniversary of ‘Carnival of Sins’ Tour in Toronto
The veteran heavy metal band, together for 45 years, returned to Toronto on a Wednesday night at the RBC Amphitheater to celebrate the 20th anniversary of their Carnival of Sins tour, accompanied by four scantily clad singers/dancers.
Setlist Highlights and Stage Moments
The show kicked off with “Red Hot,” followed by “Louder Than Hell” and “Wild Side,” before building momentum with “Shout at the Devil,” “Take Me to the Top,” and “Primal Scream.”
Dry‑ice smoke made it hard to see the performers, especially drummer Tommy Lee, who was positioned behind a massive kit, but a camera focused on his heavily tattooed arms as he played.
The tempo eased before the power ballad “Home Sweet Home,” during which bassist Nikki Sixx thanked Canadian fans and named Keith Richards and Ozzy Osbourne as influences; Lee took the piano while Vince Neil emerged from the wings, glanced at a lyric sheet, and sang without needing it.
The evening closed with “Girls, Girls, Girls,” “Dr. Feelgood,” and a high‑energy finish of “Kickstart My Heart.”
Band Lineup and Background
Bassist Nikki Sixx, 67, drummer Tommy Lee, 63, and guitarist John 5, 55—the only member in shiny black PVC—rounded out the lineup, while original axeman Mick Mars, 73, remains sidelined by ankylosing spondylitis.
John 5, formerly of David Lee Roth, Marilyn Manson and Rob Zombie, replaced Mars as a touring member in 2022 and became a full‑time member in 2023, earning praise for his watchable solo work.
Having sold more than 100 million albums worldwide, Motley Crue continues to perform, having completed a farewell tour in 2015 and a reunion tour in 2022.
Legal Dispute and Ongoing Activity
Mick Mars sued the band over his limited mobility caused by ankylosing spondylitis, but Motley Crue won the lawsuit in January, allowing the group to keep touring.
Looking Ahead
Fans can expect to see Motley Crue live again on Saturday, July 13, 2024, when they take the RBC stage at the Ottawa Bluesfest.
