Saw The "Beat" Tour Last Night

[ProfessorGAC]

Adrian Belew, Tony Levin, Steve Vai, & Danny Carey.
They performed material from the 3 King Crimson albums in the early 80s when Adrian & Tony joined.
Robert & Bill can't tour anymore so, Vai & Carrey were recruited.
I give the show a B+.
Musicianship was a high A. (I was less familiar with Carey's work with Tool, so was very impressed with his monster drum chops.)
Lighting was a B. Fine, but not something about which people would say "You have to see this show!".
Audio was a C. And that's generous, because the drum mix was really good.
There was an oppressive upper midrange punch that somewhat blurred the vocals, plus I think the sound guy turned the guitars up too much during solos.
The audio negatively affected the overall experience, but I was still impressed at how they guys took such chaotic parts and made it solid.

Here a few pics. I was 10th row, just right of dead center.
Whole Band:


Adrian During A Solo:


Steve During A Solo:

[ms liberty]

1. Great musicians. I love Tony Levin

He's been really integral to Peter Gabriel's work in his solo career.

[ProfessorGAC]

2. He's My Pock For...

...best bassist in the rock era. Such breadth & monstrous technique. Especially on the Chapman Stick.
Has more range as a vocalist that I expected. Did all the harmonies last night.
One thing I didn't mention in the OP was they all looked liked they were having fun!

[AZSkiffyGeek]

3. Vai was the wild card for me

I’ve seen Carey tear it up on 80s Crimson with Belew and Levin before, and while I respect Vai’s abilities I’ve never been a big fan of his.
But he was restrained yet still jaw dropping, and paid respect to Fripp while still keeping his own style. “Sheltering Sky” was just incredible.

[JohnnyRingo]

4. I got to see Steve Vai back in the '80s

It was at a small concert club in Cleveland and I snuck backstage after the show and had him autograph a poster I tore off the wall. Those were the days.

I get your critique of the sound. It can ruin a show and I sometimes wonder how the sound guy got that job. In most cases though the best seats are near the sound board because he's tweaking the levels for his ear.

Still, I don't know how many times I've used this mental image to restrain myself.

[ProfessorGAC]

6. Well, This Dude Needed Advice!

Or a hearing aid!
Our soundman was excellent. I worked with him for 23 years.
When I joined that last band (the one that lasted nearly 20 years), I agreed to join if my soundman came with me.
He was the best I'd heard and getting keyboards right, which mattered to me of course, as I played keys 90% of the time.
The guys immediately agreed. Might have had something to do with he & already owning a six thousand watt PA system & 36 lights!

[Mousetoescamper]

5. I attended the 10/23 show in Reading, PA and

posted my cellphone photos in Music Appreciation and Photography on Oct. 25:
https://www.democraticunderground.com/1034130914

A review can preempt someone else's enjoyment of a show and I declined to give my impressions at the time. My seat was left of dead center and seven rows from the stage, counting the three rows of VIP chairs set up at the foot of the stage.

I'd give the 10/23 performance a C- for the first set and a B+ for the second. I videoed portions of some songs and had the benefit of reviewing them after the show.

The vocals were barely audible during the first set, which was a great disappointment because I appreciate Belew's singing as much as I admire his playing, songwriting and incredible inventiveness. The guitars were overbearing and the mix favored the highs. Levin's bass and stick sometimes came through. The drums were the only instrument that cut through the noise consistently.
The sound mix was very good during most of the second set but the guitars were still a little overbearing, especially during solos.

The second set redeemed the shortcomings of the first. Waiting Man, Sleepless and Three of a Perfect Pair were the standouts for me.

I'd give the musicianship a B+. Why not an A? Vai did a lot of noodling and Belew's voice was sometimes off-pitch.

[ProfessorGAC]

7. Good Analysis

I didn't hear Adrian missing notes last night, so I got a better version than what you got.
I agree with the guitars being overbearing, but I think it may have been more tolerable if the oppressive upper midrange wasn't blaring all the time.
I didn't notice any unevenness between the 2 sets. I thought they were very good, both sets.
We don't agree on Vai, though. I didn't hear a lot of noodling. In fact, I thought he was a little too restrained. But, technically he was awesome.
My only real complaint was the audio.
I also fully agree with your take on Three Of A Perfect Pair. That & Mate Kudasai were highlights of the show.