I saw BEAT (Adrian Belew, Tony Levin, Steve Vai & Danny Carey)

[AutomationBias]

It was a lot of fun. The first set was mostly obscure songs from the three albums (Discipline, Beat and Three of a Perfect Pair), and the second set was the "hits". Belew still sings, plays and moves like he's 30 years old. Danny Carey grew up on these records and it really showed. There was a surprise song in the encore set that blew the doors off the place largely thanks to Danny - easily the best version I've ever heard, and I don't think I've ever seen Tony Levin having this much fun at a show. Vai was unfortunately buried in the mix for most of the first set, but they got it worked out by the second.

Vai's rig

Failed attempt to read his Axe FX III screen

 

[la szum]

I am shocked there are stages large enough to hold all that musicianship!

 

[mbenigni]

OMG Supergroup. Can't wait to see them in December. Hate missing all these shows in the interim.

Side note: on Wednesday night a friend invited me to see the David Cross Band at a nearby (tiny) venue. I had no idea this band even existed, and they were taking stage in about 20 minutes. I missed the first couple of songs (inc. Red), but got there in time to see them perform some excellent original material, Starless, etc., then Lark's Tongues (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) in its entirety, and Schizoid Man as an encore. It was absolutely epic. Catch this show if you can.

Obligatory gear head content: 3x GT1000's on stage. One for the guitarist, one for the bassist, and one for Cross' violin.

 

[DrewJD82]

I’m so damn bummed I missed this show!

My best friends caught them earlier this week at the Hampton Beach Casino, Adrian’s rig went down for about 30-40 mins. For the first bit of it, Vai did some improvising onstage and while my buddies heard PLENTY of Vai from me in our teens, one sent a message after the show, “He proved why he is a legend tonight. Blended in as an incredible sideman for most of the night. Only stepped out a couple times as ‘Vai’ and when he did it was sick”