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Joe Satriani, Simon McBride @ HMV Hammersmith Apollo, London |
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Joe Satriani
Simon McBride
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HMV Hammersmith Apollo, London
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Crammed close to full capacity, the Hammersmith Apollo is buzzing tonight as Joe Satriani’s loyal fans await an evening of legendary axemanship.
Tonight’s support act is none other than Irish virtuoso Simon McBride. Having famously dazzled crowds at a mere fifteen years of age, he expertly breaks the ice with hook-laden anthem ‘Down To The River’. Before long, listeners are eagerly clustered about the stage, lapping up a string of thrilling riffs that loom spectacularly large within the Apollo’s high-ceilinged dimensions. Showcasing tight chemistry with his accompanying band, this rising riffmaster doles out a couple of choice cuts from this year’s ‘Rich Man Falling,’ topped off with a killer Jimmy Hendrix cover.
While their elegant set seems nothing short of flawless, still finer entertainment is to follow with the hotly-anticipated arrival of guitar god Joe Satriani. Kicking off with ‘Flying In A Blue Dream,’ this influential axeman delivers a dynamic performance spanning a whopping seventeen-track setlist. Backed by a skilful selection of musicians, the guitarist unveils a well-balanced mix of old and new material, including the much-loved likes of ‘Super Colossal,’ ‘Surfing With The Alien’ and ‘Crystal Planet.’ Following a number of fresh offerings from the recently released ‘Black Swans And Wormhole Wizards,’ Satriani returns to his roots with soulful grand finale ‘Always With Me, Always With You.’
Where many modern bands fail to cut it in the live stakes, Joe Satriani boasts extraordinary precision and talent, infusing each note with studio-smooth perfection. Equal parts adrenalin and expertise, it’s an essential experience for fans of masterful guitar playing. |
Review and photography by Asif Salam
Joe Satriani
Simon McBride
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