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Ultra Zone
Tour
|
last updated 7/25/2000
Setlist courtesy of Dave Weiner of the Steve Vai Band
10.30.99 --- Kansas City, MO --- The Beaumont
My review on the show is what else ... nothing but the best.What else do you expect from Steve. Even better yet he signed all 9 of my back plates. Jeff Wallen
11.06.99 --- Milwaukee, WI --- The Rave
The Ultra Zone Tour. My wife and I saw the show in Milwaukee. It was great, everyone should go and see it! I realize that I'm preaching to the choir, but Steve and the band just know how to perform a great show. The level of musicianship is, as expected, stellar and everyone knows how to work the crowd. The set is significantly different than on the Fire Garden Tour so it's not as though you are seeing the same concert again.
Steve really makes the new CD come alive in concert. My wife and I stood right in front of Steve throughout the show. We both have been fans for a long time, and have seen him in concert twice before. Though we already loved the new CD we still got a new appreciation for his compositions after seeing the live show. I don't want to ruin the surprises for others, so I won't go into the details (sorry). Suffice it to say, I've been going to concerts for 16 years, and this was truly a highlight.
Best regards, Marc B Von-Der-Ruhr
11.16.99 --- Toronto, ON Canada --- The Government
Hey There, I just saw Vai's show here in Toronto and man, the guy played until 12:30am...wow! He played a Fender Strat I haven't seen him with before...Its black with a speckled pickguard, neck and headstock with lighted fretboard dots in the color blue...very cool. Played the Heart Guitar and also had the Sitar on stage that Dave Weiner played, they need to turn him up when he solos...way to low to hear him..dissapointing indeed. If Anyone has the chance to catch this show man....do it. Go to this show. It is Vai to the ultra intensity level, he's right on. Thanks and Enjoy the best guitarist in the @#$%^& world man. Robert Elliot
11.20.99 --- Old Bridge, NJ --- Birch Hill Night Club
11.23.99 --- NYC, NY --- Irving Plaza
I think Steve and the band are at the top of their game, however, Both the NJ and NY shows featured several technical problems. At one point in NJ, guitarist Dave Weiner broke 3 strings simultaneously and nearly tore the trem system out of his RG 7 string, and Steve experience some cables cutting out on him in NY. The sequence went "Just Go For It..." and steve went to play the first lick and SILENCE! He covered nicely.
Both shows featured ripping versions The Attitude Song and it was great to hear Salamanders In The Sun. Mike Kennealy was awesome as always,and the show featured a jaw dropping drum solo. Steve even brought a guest contest winner on stage in NJ for a playful version of Zep's Black Dog.
I particularly liked "Blood and Tears" off the new release and Steve's dedication of " For the love of MOM" during the NY show, it was his mom's birthday and she was in the balcony.
From a Jem standpoint it looked like he is experimenting with a 555 neck on one and some new non-Dimarzio single coils on another, uh-oh!. At one point during the show he presents a glowing stratocaster. No green meany or floral as i had hoped, it's not the 80's anymore. The heart shaped triple neck made an appearance however.
If you go, you may be surprised at Steve's vocal attempts on several tunes and he does some nice sweep-picking with an acoustic number.
It was the best concert value for $15 ($30 in NY) in a long time. But that's a biased Vai lovin' opinion.
Hopefully one of these shows will be recorded for release. If your a fen of great instrumental guitar music or just want to see someone doing something creative and interesting with instrument (for a change) check them out.
Caught the show at Numbers (couldn't have picked a worse place to play) on the 7th of December. I thought it was a quite poetic that Steve would play on Pearl Harbor Day.
I had previously seen Steve back in 80 when he played with Zappa, but really didn't get to hear Steve step out much. Zappa was pretty much the star of the show.
Lack of prominence was not a problem Tuesday night. I could go on and on about Steve's command of the instrument, as well as the rest of the band and the unbelievable talent therein - I won't. What really impressed me is Steve's ability to work a crowd and his overall showmanship. Steve' personality definitely shined like a thousand suns. Instead of the usual chit chat between every other song, the audience was treated to Steve's sense of humor, charisma and dare I say - incredible good looks!
Steve's guitar is merely an extension of his body and soul and his massive respect and love for the guitar is profoundly obvious and the set list was well representative of Steve's work.
In short, this was the most impressive live performance I have ever witnessed. I left the show that night, wishing Frank Zappa were alive today to see his guitarist do him proud.
12.10.99 --- Austin, TX --- Antone'
After Eric Sardinas warmed the place with some blistering slide blues, my friends and I were ready for some Vai. He took the stage in an outlandish costume and fired out some unbelievable shred. I've never seen anyone so fluid and expressive all the while maintaining such a powerful presence over the crowd. "For the Love of God" brought many tears as a poured every ounce of emotion he had into that guitar.
The performances by his backing band we're stellar also, to say the least. Mike Mangini's completely ambidextrous and brilliant drumming provided the perfect rhythm for Vai's majestic barrage of power. All in all it was the best and most life-changing show I have ever attended...whew.
12.26.99 --- Philidelphia, PA --- Trocadero
Hello Went to an Ultra Zone concert in Philidelphia at the Trocadero. Steve puts on a great show as usual ( I had the honor of being about 2 feet away from him :) ). For the song, "Fever Dream", he used his heart guitar with the three necks. That was the only disappointing part. He didn't really use the guitar like I hear how he uses it. Besides the fact that I was in a spot where I was unable to hear the music at ALL, the show was great - first time at a Vai concert for me, so I don't know how it compares. - Patrick king
Peoria Illinois and Chicago Illinois.
Howdy, For all of those who are Steve Vai fans the Ultrazone concert does not disappoint. From note one there is a mass of energy that hits you like a lightning bolt when Steve comes out clad in infrared visors and a very stylish custom wardrobe. Coupled with a very pleasing visual show, sonically Steve shapes a very big, bombastic sound that flies in your face out of his new Carvin Legacy amps and the TC Electronic G-Force effects module. Compared to the Fire Garden tour, Steve comes out with a bit of a different kind of show in that it is not entirely focused on the guitar as the means of entertainment and expression. Steve mixes his show with some story telling, some dance, and some old props like the heart shaped axe. It was a bit different from the straight up, play the songs one after the other guitar shows he did in the past few years.
Some negatives include the fact that Steve didn't switch up any of the songs that he played from show to show. The playlist was the same from Peoria to Chicago and therefore if you wanted to see two shows, you wouldn't get much of a variation other than the mood changes that the musicians happened to have that particular night. Most of the show including the jokes is pre-planned and choreographed. The two shows that I've attended were in Peoria Illinois and Chicago Illinois. Both times the shows were equally exquisite, yet not totally the same, even though the playlist was identical. Another negative was that there was no bass solo for all those bass lovers and Phillip Bynoe fans out there. Second, the new axe slinger Dave demonstrated a bit of immaturity in his stage presence, particularly when it was time for his solos and stand out performances.
On bringing along non musicians and never before Steve Vai fans, their comments during and after the show were such like "Awesome" or "This is cooool!", or "I love that guy!", "How does he make his guitar sing like that?" So even for non guitar players the show was very entertaining and memorable. Steve in the beginning of his show points out particularly that he's gonna try hard to make it a very memorable night for us attendees. And he sure did for me.
The opening act Eric Sardinas had some serious attitude, in a good way. He's like a Stevie Ray Vaughn on steroids. He plays with a slide and cranked up Rivera amp and had some good ole bluesy tunes with a rough, back-alley kinda tone. He's very unique and not a copy cat of any sorts and thus made an excellent choice for Steve's opening act.
Overall I give the show a 9 out of 10. The show lasted about 2 hours of Steve and 1 hour of Eric Sardinas.
Needless to say, Vai's show was amazing. This is the first time I've had the opportunity to see a Vai solo show. It's nice to hear two hours of material versus the 45 minutes I was treated to on the G3 Tour. The Vai crew was still fighting off the flu bugs, but DAMN did they put on a great show. Steve talked to crowd during the second song and mentioned that since some of them still had the flu, they would be doing mainly an instrumental show that night. No one seemed to be disappointed and Vai and company delivered on every tune. The set list was basically the same as we've seen, but without many vocal tunes. It was great to hear "Angel Food" performed live, as well as "Erotic Nightmares", "Salamanders in the Sun", and "Tender Surrender". I also stuck around for the After-Show party and had a couple of items signed, but you could tell that poor Steve was VERY tired. Despite putting on a two-hour-plus show, I was stil honored that he came out to say "Hi" to folks and sign some items before heading off to the bus. I can't wait until they return. It was worth every penny! Jippy Sun Theatre, Anaheim, CA
New Olreans-Dec. 6, Houston-Dec. 7, San Antonio-Dec. 8, and Dallas-Dec. 9.
The New Orleans and Houston shows were the best; the band was in TOP FORM. I WAS IN "THE ULTRA ZONE" from Mangini's thundering drumming to Bynoe's incredible bass thumping extravaganza to Mike Kenneally and Dave Wiener jumping right up front with Steve burning RIGHT ALONG WITH HIM matching his every lick. In New Orleans Steve was experiencing a few technical difficulties like the wrong presets coming up in his harmonizer and I cant really remember but he had a problem with the Heart guitar in Fever Dream.....he actually Stopped the song about 20-30 seconds into it and asked ever to forgive him but he wanted everything to be perfect for that song. The crowd did not mind at all.....Im sure some would agree with me when it made me realize he is only human.....or is he??? He is an incredible frontman and really knows how to work a crowd I was completely amazed. After the New Orleans show I met Steve and Dave Weiner. Steve invited me back stage and I must have talked with him for 10 to 15 minutes. I told him I was going to see him in Dallas and Houston....then he invited me to San Antonio on the guest list and he signed two of my Jem777's (DY and SK).
Unfortunately Steve was getting sick and cut out all of the vocal songs except for Little Alligator in San Antonio and by the time he got to Dallas he didnt even sing that one.....he had to "play" the lyrics. I met Steve and Dave Weiner at every show and if I didnt know he was sick...I never would have known (other than a few coughs on stage) . He was a real trooper. And the audiences didnt seem to mind at all that he "shut up and just played guitar" as he joked. In San Antonio Dave asked me if I would mind taking him back to the hotel to pick Steve up because he could not find anyone with a vehicle and all they had was the tour bus and equipment trucks (what was I going to say????? NO??). That was unbelievable....STEVE VAI riding in my truck to the gig. So Dave if you see this .... I OWE YOU BIG TIME FOR THAT ONE. Many thanks go out to Steve Vai and Dave Weiner for their hospitality and kindness in making a 15 year DREAM come true. GREAT SHOWS GUYS!!!! Hope to see yall again soon.
Shawn Lake - Shreveport, Louisiana
Just a quick word to say that Vai was right on the whole night in Cincinnati!! I have only seen him in the past when he was with Roth and Whitesnake, and I got to see the show in Rochester a few years ago when he played with the Kilbourne Orchestra at Eastman School of Music! But seeing him this time, you can see that Vai has definately matured in his playing and put on a hell of a show, Flawless! There was only one problem coming from the sound guy (I assume) during Fever Dream. The open drone strings from the triple neck were not coming out and Vai kept signaling to the sound guy to "Turn it the F*ck up!!" He looked a little bit pissed over that. But that was the only problem I noticed the whole night. Can't wait to see him again! Excellent to say the least.
Review 12/03/99 --- House of Blues, Orlando
This is the second time through HOB for Vai and company. The first time was on the second go round of the G3 tour, w/Fripp. I missed the opening band. Heres the report... I entered the venue, the house lights were off, the stage curtain was drawn...I navigated by memory to a spot in the room that I knew from previous visits would afford me optimal viewing...Then, a tall figure in a long, shiny, coat with lights on his head came from backstage...as the band lunched into the first song I knew it would be intense!... For a little over two hours, I watched as Vai executed feats of guitar extremism as Keneally backed him note for note.
I can't remember the set list at this time, but in the course of the evening some things stand out clearly. First: Anyone who doesn't know it needs to understand that Mike Keneally is an absolute madman...often playing keys and guitar simultaneously. Second: Mike Mangini's skills as a drummer are wildly underrated, anyone who can eat marshmallows while playing a drum solo is totally a hero! Finally: Vai himself...He is my absolute favorite performer of any kind because of how much he gives of himself to entertain,guitar expertise notwithstanding.
The bottom line is that Steve and the band LOVE the people they perform to and it shows.
3.00 am, just got home from the gig. once again Steve Vai blows away a packed "powerstation" crowd! we love our guitar heroes down here and steve loves us!
highlights, for me, were "tender surrender", "angel food", "for the love of god", of course and a blistering rendition of "the attitude song". the new songs highlighted that funk feel which i believe is one of the key ingredients in steve's ability to stay ahead of the pack. the jokey version of "black dog" has got to go however, cries of sacrilege were heard in some quarters. come on steve we know you can do better when it comes to humour!
the rhythm section was superb but a special mention must go to mike keneally. this guy is awesome! he's a genius by himself!
o.k. compared to three years ago? i'm afraid nothing can quite match that virginal cosmic experience. (the planets were better aligned that night.) compared to yngwie malmsteen three months ago? sorry, i have to call it a tie. both of these guys are just pure magicians of the guitar and it's great to see, in this techno world, that some people are still prepared to extend the concept of musicianship. cheers...andrew prime
I caught the show in Mrtle Beach at the House of Blues.It was the best show I have ever seen(and I've seen many....)Got to talk to Steve at the meet and greet backstage,he was a complete gentleman.His guitars were various,intresting,and always in tune! If I ever have the opportunity to see him again,I won't miss it! PEACE, Stormy weatherz
Saw the Ultra Zone tour in Brisbane and it was totally total! What a gig. I saw the Firegarden tour pass through the same venue 3 years ago. I mean I loved it too, but last Saturday was just the ultimate gig. Steve's talking with the crowd really went over and he really looked like he was getting into it. And everyone shut up and listened too. None of this 'Shut up and play yer guitar' stuff happening there. I won't go through the setlist and say 'man, that track was shit hot', because they all were. As a matter of fact, I can't even describe it adequately. There are no possible combinations of english words that could adequately describe the gig. You just have to experience it.
Regards
Eddie Trimarchi
http://www.fan.net.au/~eddiet
Just a quick word to say that Vai was right on the whole night in Cincinnati!! I have only seen him in the past when he was with Roth and Whitesnake, and I got to see the show in Rochester a few years ago when he played with the Kilbourne Orchestra at Eastman School of Music! But seeing him this time, you can see that Vai has definately matured in his playing and put on a hell of a show, Flawless! There was only one problem coming from the sound guy (I assume) during Fever Dream. The open drone strings from the triple neck were not coming out and Vai kept signaling to the sound guy to "Turn it the F*ck up!!" He looked a little bit pissed over that. But that was the only problem I noticed the whole night. Can't wait to see him again! Excellent to say the least. Michael N Havens
Incredible!! Steve Vai is the standard in excellence by which all other guitar players should be measured! He is outstandingly smooth and refined. The Concert flat RULED!! Darin
I saw Steve Vai! It was the greatest thrill of my life!! When I saw him play. I was just in shock. How could one man do this on the guitar? He put on a great set that lasted about 2 1/2 hrs. It was great!!! Stephen L. Elliot
This is a review of the Ultra Zone concert in Perth at the Metropolis concert club on the 9th of February.
Well I'll start by saying that it was my first Vai show as last time I was under age and wouldn't have been allowed into the gig. Anyway the support band Delirium (not the techno band) was O.K. as the guitarist was using a Jem7bk with the Breed pickups and the mirror scratchplate. They played songs that sounded like a cross between Metallica and their own style however the guitarist was clearly influenced by EVH, Randy Rhoads etc. His guitar was signed by Steve (the bastard) as I was dead jealous.
The place was packed and anyway Steve entered to the Road to Mt Calvary wearing a long jacket and a helmut that had glasses and torchlights which was very cool. They then got into the set with Erotic Nightmares being a highlight for me with Dave Mike and Steve all shredding the place to pieces. I was pretty disappointed that Steve never played any songs on his Bad horsie guitars with the weird tuning and that he played so many songs with vocals, even though the chicks dug these songs more than the guitar songs. I can't remember Steve playing Salamanders, as it was over a month ago however I remember heaps of improvised outros to songs.
Keneally's solo was a highlight as it opened my eyes to how talented Mike really is. I would Love to was probably the highlight of the night as was Steve's comical version of Black Dog. Anyway there was just too many highlights for me as Steve showed what an awesome showman he is. When the encore came Dave's solo was the loudest thing I had ever heard however Mike and Steve were dueling each other with some amazing guitar playing with Mike managing to keep up with Steve with ease which amazed me and my friend totally. However my night was soured by the fact that even though I was perched right next to the stage the entire night I returned home pickless unlike all the girls who surrounded me who all got a pick, even though they had probably owned none of his records, hopefully one of my tickets will win me the heart guitar for redemption. Anyway keep on shredding and I will after my hearing returns. Matt O'Brien
just few words to tell you that STEVE VAI is using carvin legacy amps,cabinets and guitars (accoustic one) on this tour. i saw him last night 24/03 in toulouse. what a great show .dave broke all the strings of his black rg at the end of his guitar solo. see ya jerome jerome nogier
Steve vai was playing at Manchester Apollo England on the 10th of March.Being a guitarist and a avid fan of vai for many years it was a must to go.The support act Eric Sardinas was a Rock Blues guitarist and vocalist, his tracks and guitar playing was awesome and an excellent choice to open the concert and get you in the mood, also to prepare you for an evening that you will never forget. If you are like me and love music (particularly guitar music), you must have experienced from time to time when you've heard something exceptional, all the hairs on your body particularly your arms and neck stand on end. Imagine this for 2 and a half hours during a concert, this is what you'll experience watching Steve Vai.
The opener was "here I Am", Vai appeared and looked like God and the evil( of guitar!) everybody in the audience was transfixed by this figure on the stage.His playing and performance was phenomenal.Playing "Fever Dream" on the Triple neck heart guitar and the rendition of "For the Love of God" was just mind blowing and the standing ovation was well deserved for "For the Love of God" (and should have been done for every track he played!!) For the "attitude Song" he was joined by Eric Sardinas and Vai's rhythm guitarist for a end of show jam which was fantastic. The memories of this concert I will never forget and will be taken with me to my grave and beyond. Al Unsworth
Bucharest, Romania
The concert took place last night, it was unspeakable.., the whole building was screaming like mad & Steve just kept makeing these gestures "i'm not worthy, relax guys i'm just playing guitar, no need to go mad like that", they played for 2:40 hrs & Mike Mangini is a MONSTER DRUMMER!!!, he composed a song especially for Romania (as with all east-european countries) & he sayed that he's gonna put out a live album & that songs gonna be on it too; BTW all these epecially written songs are inspired by each contry's folclore & using those country's scales or similar sounding ones anyway, Eric Sardinas was pretty hot (a friend of mine kept jokeing screaming "come back to Guns n' Roses please!!!") & last song they did Animal or Erotic Nightmares or Atiitude i don't reamember it was just total mayhem & so cool, Eric Sardinas joined onstage & he did a duel with Vai, then all of them (except mangini of course) started running around & bumping into each other,each guy had his solo spot, i claped my hands to death (now they're softer than babyskin & screamed my guts out), BTW the first row was remowed so that they could make the stage bigger &, so i got to sit in row 2 :)
In the middle of Voodoo Acid he stopped & started telling the story of the song; when he was 17 at Berklee & was going at a party in MIT , he met this girl that had a turban on her head & had a really wild makeup & she was callling herself the voodoo mamma & sayed to Vai that she's got something that'll "make you feel good boy" or something like that anyway & then you know what.....
Also he started to use that Voice pedal, asking how in the world were so many girls at the concert , that he never saw so many girls & beautifull ones at the concert asked if they were dragged by thier boyfriends & the girls answered NO!!!. Then he started (using a high pitched voice) imitating a girl "Steve Vai???!!! didn't he used to play with Whitesnake?!!!!, yes i know,...he's the one that used to play in the DRL band;.... i won't go to the concert unless he's gonna play JUMP (the guys in the back , Keneally on the keyboard etc.; started play the Jump intro). STEVE: Stop don't you ever do that again Then using the girl voice again: "I don't wanna see Steve Vai, i wanna see Ricky Martin" STEVE: Now what's Ricky Martin got that I.....
Then using the same voice modifier: "I won't use this thing anymore cuz people'll think that i've got a little weenie"
Now getting on the techincal side; Philip Bynoe wich is way's bassist used a Yamaha TRB 6 string, throughout the whole concert & a Carvin 4x12 cab (i think it was 4x12) while the amp himself seemed to be in a rack , cuz i don't remember seeing a head; Phylip looked pretty pissed off, but maybe that's the way he is or something was wrong, or just my impression, as opposed to Mike Keneally wich was only a smile & jumping around like a 15 year old & doing wild solos & stuff.
Also it was this young guy 16-22 i dunno, who [editor note: this is Dave Weiner, longtime jemsite regular!] was really cool & was the 3rd guitar in the band, oftenly playing an RG7 string. Vai played his usual selection of JEMS, EVO (not shure though, but if it's the one with the black headstock he played it) ,FLO, a black one (wich isn't listed at the JEMsite as ULTRA ZONE guitars) & a Strat with fancy artwork on the body+fretboard that also had LEDS, he might also played other white JEMS but since they were all white...one mention, lots of his JEM's had only hlaf wine inlay & the upper frets being dots, so i guess he likes those 555 necks; he used Carvin as amplification.
I couldn't really see his pedalboard cuz it was as the same height with my eyesight & was halfconcealed by his monitor.
Keneally used mainly a Floydized strat & also a metallic/industrial JEM The new guy with the guitar used RG's mainly (2 humbucker ones) & ocasionally a JEM. Vai also used the 3 neck heart guitar, wich you can win of you enter tha make a noise foundation draw (i got 3 tickets); also got the Alien love secrets DVD, but i have no DVD player yet DUH!!!
The only complain about this concert is that he didn't play BAD HORSIE, wich i LIKE LIKE LIKE!!!
BEST CONCERT EVER HANDS DOWN!!!
http://tinpan.fortunecity.com/carpenters/969
Strasbourg, France, 04/01/2000.
At first I need to say something: I was in the concert in Paris, France, 15/03/2000, but due to a RATP's strike - those of the subs - you know what I mean about strikes in France, I missed Eric Sardenas and the first 2 songs of Steve, and I was in the back of the room. So I cannot give a good review.
Let's go back in Strasbourg. The show started at 9 pm, and sold out. I standed at the first line, just in front of Bynoe.
Eric Sardenas was great. Many people were impressed, even if it's a lot of "deja vu". In fact, the show he does add very much to his music. He went into the audience, he burnt his guitar. He played with 2 resonator guitars electrified (I can't say Dobro - ooups - as it's a trademark). They were really damaged. Personnaly, he is too much a "cow boy", you know this kind of American rooted people, he is a great guitarist, but I don't like what he does too much - maybe due to my European's roots :). I have enough of blues, surely I can't feel the blues. Anyway, I've got Vai, Ron Thal, Satriani's EOC, etc... to feel the music I like.
Then we got Steve at 10. I first told that the show will be recorded. During "Tender Surrender" the pause at the end of the song was very VERY long. The audience was screaming, applausing, without stoping. Steve seeled very touched - not far from crying. I'm not emphasing, I compare this to the concert in Paris. Really, I was 2 meters away from Steve, and he had this sort of face that makes you feel he's really touched. Mike Mangini solo was of course impressive - BTW, what's the picture girl on his drum set ? Mike Keannely one was great too, but he didn't make the great stuff he made in Paris (playing with 2 keys and 1 guitar the same thing and turning the hand very quickly). They did a very special song after "Voodoo Acid", called "I'll never forget". If I understanded good, Steve told us that they were recording a special song ONE time in each country they go, and that they'll put these songs on a CD (in the 10 CD box set I guess). The song was not much original, a slow pop in 3/4. Eric Sardenas drummer camed to play the accordion, recorded with Steve's vocal mic. And a french guest star (around 20, with long black hair) was also here, he read a french text dealing with love and melody. The show finished "normally". During attitude's pogo, the official shooter (I can't rememeber his name) camed on stage and danced with a piece of tissue on his head. Dave Weiner was great, he seemed very happy. He went into the pit after the show, I told him it was really a great show. It's great he's so friendly and available, he doesn't seem to get "the big head".
About Steve performance and guitars. I noticed that Evo has really a strange all access neck joint, more accessable than on other Jems. Is it a prototype ? Steve didn't seem much comfortable on the special Fender, he was always playing with the pickup selector. I noticed that this Fender has a MIDI pickup plug. As Bynoe 6 strings bass guitar, which had the Yamaha MIDI pickup. Also, during "FTLOG", Steve did a funny harmonic thing with his tongue - but as I was really not far, I saw he was tricking: he used the sustainer and the wahmmy to change the sound, the tongue was only here for the show. I touched the EVO neck, and I didn't feel it was a strange neck, has many people noticed here. And the pickups on Evo are all 3 really LOW - just at the level of the pickguard. Anyone knows why ? Does the middle pickup has enough gain at this position ?
In general, there wasn't too much "bla bla" during the show, less than in Paris. The show has been shooted a lot with a digital camera and a digital movie camera. Not like in Paris. Hey, maybe I'll see my face on Steve's web site, who knows :-) ?
There was really MUCH emotions during the show. It was a pure piece of art and sensibility. THE SHOW WAS GREAT ! TO KEEP IN MEMORY :-) !
BTW, the audience was really great too. I'm sure we all feeled the music. It's not like in Tokyo Dome, you know all people have a numbered place, they all fit in limited squares, with the security moving around. I don't think this kind of audience shows much emotion.
PS: sorry for my poor english...
Nicolas Manel. - Guitar studio
Melbourne, Australia
My name is Julien Cohen I recently went to the Steve vai Concert at the Palace club in ,Stkilda, Melbourne, Australia. (It was awesome)
I arrived half an hour before the show, cause I was not concerned with getting up front. Reason being, was that the previous concert I did that, and had front row standings. I was able to touch steves whammy bar mid-solo. Quite cool as he lowered his guitar for me to touch. so this concert I just wanted to stand with my friend in a relaxed manner and just take in the music and atmosphere.
Anyway back to his 2000 concert in melbourne. He came out dressed in his zone outfit, which was quite spectacular. Steve's suit had lasers and fibre-optic lights comming out of it. He really is a showman. I don't recall each song that was played during the night, but he played from each album and then some other stuff which I have never heard before.
Steve seemed this time especially, more comfortable infront of the crowd, (he must be getting used to touring (ha ha)) because he spoke to us like he was talking to each fan individually. He even paused for 10 mins to tell us an interesting story about picking up women during his adolescent years, during his time at the school of arts (berkely). It was funny and rude.
The previous concert steve gave, I went around the back of the Palace club to meet him by chance. And I did, he came out, signed my t-shirt which was cool, shook his hand and exchanged a few words.
This time, I went around the back, and there were only workers carrying off equipment. I was holding my guitar, and a security guy asked me (are you the guy thats supposed to meet steve, so he can sign your guitar)? Well ! I said yes thats me. He said (your in the wrong place) So he took me back into the palace and up to the top room where steve was chating with people and signing shit. The security took me to steve's personal guard, and he said to the security (thats not the guy i ment) So i said, "hey man I have been following steve for 15 years", and I had my guitar in hand, so he let me up. I went up and there he was as soon as I got upstairs, with people all around him asking him heaps of questions. I was speechless, shit I didn't know what to ask him or even how to introduce myself. So I finally did and he signed my AXE. It was so bloody cool. I spoke to him for 5 mins got a drink from the bar to cool my nerves and then chated with the rest of the band. I crashed a Steve VAI after party. HOW COOL FOR ME.
That was my experience at the Steve vai concerts in Melbourne Australia
And Remember: in the words of Frank Zappa "His Name is Steve Vai and he's a crazy guy"
London Astoria
Hey there! I hear you guys wanted reviews from the new Vai 'Ultra Zone' tour! Well I checked him out in London Astoria in March. The man is an alien! His set was fantastic. Those guys are the most talented musicians I have ever seen. Vai lashed out great numbers including 'For the Love of God', 'Voodoo Acid' and 'Blood and Tears'. He came on with this device around his head with lights and allsorts. The lights went down and on came Vai complete with prancing lights. All you could see were these little lights strapped to his fingers widdling frantically along his fretboard.
Mike Mangini and Keneally had there own short sets. Mangini is fantastic. At one stage Vai scat sang whilst Mangini imitated on drums. Keneally amazed us all by widdling and playing keyboards, at the same time!!
Eric Sardinas, who opened for Vai, came on at the end to finish off with 'The Attitude Song' and did alright!! Him and Vai, at one stage, ended up scrapping their guitars against each other with the feedback screeching wildly. What more can I say? A treat for all fans, and non-fans! I dragged my girlfriend along, who isn't much of a virtuoso fan and even she thouroughly enjoyed it! Vai is, without a shadow of a doubt, the best live performer around!
If you didn't get the chance to see the show, pray that it comes out on video!
Simon Taylor
South Wales
- United Kingdom
London Astoria
Absolutely fucking awesome......!!!!! I've seen Steve before on the G3 tour in Manchester England. And I managed to get to the London Astoria. He just gets better and better as the years go by. I would love to see more of him. Also, are there any plans to bring an Ibanez roadshow to the UK. I work for a music shop here in Milton Keynes (Chappells, part of the Yamaha group) and I could lease with you on putting it on. just a thought. Pass on my respect to Steve if this is going to him. Mike Molloy
Second best Concert I ever saw. The only reason it was second best is because I recently went to see Joe Satriani and he was amazing. I especialy liked how he [Steve Vai] sung the Led Zeppelin song with the voice all changed. Very coll concert! AMY BROBST