Two of the most iconic guitarists of the modern era – Joe Satriani and Steve Vai – unite under the banner of the newly formed SatchVai Band, to deliver a show full of technical fireworks, instrumental melodic mastery, and an endearing sense of musical brotherhood.
They open together, naturally, with their recent single ‘I Wanna Play My Guitar’ – a fun romp that sets the tone. Marco Mendoza handles lead vocals, as the animated video featuring Glenn Hughes plays overhead. Without pause, the band leap into ‘The Sea of Emotion Pt. 1’, their first collaborative release from earlier this year. Even early on, the chemistry between Satriani and Vai is electric – switching lead lines, locking into harmonies, and visibly enjoying the ride.
Then comes the first switch-up. Satriani leaves the stage, handing the spotlight to Vai. With ‘Zeus In Chains’, he dives deep into his cinematic sound world, his guitar tone twisting from brooding to blistering in seconds. He follows it with ‘Little Pretty’, the understated, jazzy piece – full of shifting chords and textures.
Vai steps away and Satriani returns, and suddenly it’s ‘Flying In A Blue Dream’ – spacey and emotional – followed by a brilliant mash-up of ‘Ice 9’ and ‘The Crying Machine’. Watching the two guitarists trade solos and harmonised phrases is a thrill in itself; it’s not a competition, but a mutual celebration of each other’s skill.
Satriani stays front and centre for ‘Surfing With The Alien’, and it’s clear the crowd is loving every moment. That signature riff is instantly recognisable, and Pete Thorn, the third guitarist in the band, adds real colour here too. When Vai re-joins for ‘Sahara’, the two co-leads intertwine again in a shimmering, desert-flavoured groove.
Vai’s next solo section is perhaps the most visually striking of the night. ‘Tender Surrender’ is performed with grace and restraint, before the stage lights dim for the arrival of his monstrous Hydra guitar. ‘Teeth of the Hydra’ is part performance art, part technical marvel – hands and limbs working across three necks, consisting 7-string, 12-string, and fretless bass. Oh, and a harp section. And yeah, as outrageous as it sounds.
Satriani returns with a cheeky grin for ‘Satch Boogie’, with his exuberance matched beat-for-beat by drummer Kenny Aronoff. From there, it’s all hands back on deck for ‘If I Could Fly’, a melodic high point that sees all three guitarists – Satch, Vai and Thorn – lined up in front of the drum riser, all clearly enjoying themselves.
The final stretch is a masterclass in emotion and control. Vai’s ‘For the Love of God’ glows with intensity, before they glide into ‘Always With Me, Always With You’, adding subtle twists to its classic structure. The crowd rise, knowing it’s nearly over – but it’s not quite.
The encore kicks off with ‘Crowd Chant’, a joyous call-and-response moment. Then it’s full throttle into ‘Enter Sandman’ and ‘Born To Be Wild’ – both reimagined with clever detours and a big singalong finale. Mendoza takes the mic once more, and the audience happily oblige.
What makes the SatchVai band special isn’t just the jaw-dropping ability on display – it’s the way the show flows, with Satriani and Vai trading places, lifting each other, and always keeping the music front and centre. For fans of either (or both), and G3 appearances aside, tonight feels like the gig they’ve been waiting decades for.
Review & Photography: Steve Johnston
