“Down the Rabbit Hole of Music Mesmerization” | Joe Satriani Live Review | Hard Rock Live Orlando, FL | March 18, 2016

by Richie Williams • April 6, 2016

Celebrating 30 years of face-melting guitar mysticism and the release of his 15th solo album, Shockwave Supernova, Joe Satriani brought his “Surfing to Shockwave” 2016 Tour to Hard Rock Live in Orlando on Friday, March 18th, 2016. I’ll be honest … I’d heard the name Joe Satriani before and knew he was a guitarist, but that was about it. That was until I finally gave him a conscious listen and went to one of his shows. His years of playing experience really show through, and he also knows how to show the crowd his many shredding faces.

I was utterly entertained, hypnotized, and taken aback at times by all aspects of his playing, whether it was the insane shredding of 20 notes per second, the heavy groove metal riffs, or those awe-inspiring faces he makes to compliment his guitar solos. His songs can give off various vibes that I think allow the listener to interpret in their own way and experience whatever feeling and thoughts that the music paints. And the trippy visuals being projected on the large screen behind the band helped send me further down the rabbit hole of music mesmerization. The images varied from patterned designs to photographs of the band and animations of scenic landscapes.

Satriani’s music is known for being instrumental. No need for lyrics, his guitar does all the singing better than any voice could mutter. One thing that kept coming to mind was video games … his songs make the perfect background for playing video games. I could easily imagine any role-playing action game car racing game fitting nicely to Satriani’s continuous progressive metal instrumentals. I’m a head nodder at shows, and the drummer was phenomenal at not only holding the steady beat needed for the jams but also at keeping my head grooving with the beat.

This was a seated show at Hard Rock Live with the floor covered in seats. I enjoyed the show from the back standing areas behind a row or two of people. For two hours and for a nearly packed house show, Satriani played old and new material that inspired a range of feelings and emotions. I’m pretty sure one of the songs was a cover of “When I Ruled The World” by Coldplay. I’m not a fan of Coldplay by any means but I found myself head nodding and toe tapping to that ramped up version.

Thank you, Joe Satriani and company for an amazing night of instrumental rock and insane guitar skills!

[Not a valid template]Joe Satriani Live Review by Richie Williams, The Sober Goat, edited by Matthew Weller.

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