Went to see the G3-guitar fiesta in the old hockey stadium. Joe Satriani, Steve Vai and Robert Fripp playing to the most predominantly male audience I’ve ever seen.
Of whom I’d never seen any live, and not listened to any much either. Have Crimson King’s debut album, but nothing from the others.
Entered the hall at seven pm, and the gig was already on. (No queues this time, thankfully). All seats, even on the floor. Had an excellent seat in the first row (thanks, Kari). But a seat that had Mr. Fripp completely concealed behind a spotlight. He played unmoving, from a rear corner of the stage. Weird, ambient-type soundscapes. I think I was close to falling asleep at one point, and kept eyes closed as it was probably one of the least visual shows ever (close second to 22-pistepirkko at a university party ages ago still reigns supreme on top).
Steve Vai took the stage after 40 minutes of Fripp, and the show moved to a vastly different direction. He brought a band (including Billy Sheehan and Tont MacAlpine, both seasoned veterans of their own) and was much more a showman. Too much at times, even. Came on stage, with a triple-necked white guitar that would not have been out of place in Spinal Tap, part 2… After abusing various stringed instruments in aurally pleasing ways for ~70 minutes, Mr. Vai left the stage, vowing to return “to jam” soon.
Joe Satriani took to the stage as the last performer, and was quite different from Mr. Vai in both appearance and output. Dressed in torn jeans and a beanie (as opposed to Vai’s frilly shirt and precision-positioned fans). Did not recognize any of the band members. Rockier stuff than Vai’s.
Evening finished off with a jam, all three guitarists (Fripp still in a rear corner) and Satriani’s band. Played for half an hour, including a rather powerful version of good ol’ Neil Young’s Rockin’ in the Free World.
And then it was over. Close to four hours of music, with just one real break. Decided to skip Magyar Posse’s gig at Tavastia. Which was probably a Grave Mistake, as Aaro raved up the gig quite high.