20th July 2002
Apollo Theatre, Manchester

This was my first Satriani concert I attended. Having already seen Steve Vai perform in the same venue around 7 months before, I didn't anticipate the same excitement because I didn't think there was anybody that could out perform Steve Vai in a live performance. I was wrong. Satriani completely blew me away. His performance was simply sublime. This was tour for the debuted " Strange Beautiful Music" album which was just released in the UK. At the time, I hadn't purchased my copy yet so I didn't know what to expect. I wish I heard the songs before going to the concert nevertheless, the concert was very inspiring. All the Satriani fanatics told me that this is the best Satriani concert they have been to, I'm really glad I was there to watch him perform. Every song he played was note for note perfect even for those hi-octane tunes. One song I didn't expect him to play was Crushing Day. This song is possibly the most technical song to master from him. I jumped in awe when he started playing it. It was fantastic. He also brought on several prototype guitars that Ibanez were developing. One was the 7 string which he used for the album and a double neck guitar. As I say, they were experimental. The tone seemed rather dry but it was great to watch. I can't wait to see him live again. 10/10

24th June 2004
Apollo Theatre, Manchester

Having seen Satch and Vai play individually, it was a mouth watering prospect of seeing them both play at the same time along with a 3rd guitarist. I was very excited going to this concert and apart from the 3rd guitarist, it was as good as I hoped for. The only thing I wished was that Malmsteen would perform as I watched the DVD with him playing and arguably these 3 guitarists are the best around. The third guitarist in this concert was Robert Fripp (King Crimson). In truth, I never heard of him or his band before so I didn't know what to expect. In the end, he was rather disappointing because he sat in the corner of the set playing his Gibson Les Paul. The stuff he was playing was very atmospheric. His solos were rather weak and uninspring. Not trying to be arrogant but I thought I would have done a better job if I was there. That sums up what I thought about him. I wasn't the only one with this opinion. Most people (includng myself) thought he was a guitar tech at first. Also he didn't play very long. Possibly half an hour or so. Steve Vai immediately came on after and brought on his 3 neck Ibanez. It was great. The concert was very reminiscent of the G3 Live in Denver with the same songs played. The only difference is that both Satch and Vai played just over an album's worth each. Finally, when all 3 guitarists jamming together, it was more like a duet as Satch and Vai pulled the strings. Those two were unbelievable. I can't wait to see them again. 7/10