• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Facebook
  • You Tube
  • Twitter
  • Instagram

Backstage Axxess

Where The Real Show Begins

  • Home
  • Concert Reviews
  • CD/DVD/Book Reviews
  • Interviews
  • About
  • Staff
  • News
G3 (Featuring Joe Satriani, John Petrucci and Phil Collen) @ Rochester Auditorium, Rochester, NY 2-20-18

G3 (Featuring Joe Satriani, John Petrucci and Phil Collen) @ Rochester Auditorium, Rochester, NY 2-20-18

February 24, 2018 by Thom Jennings

Since its inception, the G3 Tour has thrilled guitar aficionados and casual fans. The list of guitar Gods that Joe Satriani has managed to pull together is incredibly impressive to say the least, and the tour’s latest incarnation only adds to the storied history of the tour. The tour stopped in Rochester NY for one of the final dates of their 2018 North American trek. The venue was the Rochester Auditorium Theatre, a storied concert hall that once hosted Buddy Holly.

The evening started with the longest tenured Def Leppard guitarist in Phil Collen. He is a guy who has existed in the shadows of a major arena rock act for decades. Collen culled his set from his critically acclaimed Delta Deep project, including vocals by Debbi Blackwell-Cook, whose appearances during Collen’s set and during the encores was a tremendous addition to the evening’s repertoire. In a stripped-down setting, one can appreciate Collen’s guitar prowess, but the best part of Collen’s set is seeing his subtle stylings on display without all the surrounding bombast. Collen is the consummate stage professional, and in the smaller setting he was also able to connect with fans on a level that no major arena rock act can. In short, he and his band set the evening in motion perfectly.

John Petrucci performed second, and his enthusiasm is infectious. While most of Petrucci’s work is dark and foreboding, he did include a delightful and frolicking version of “The Happy Song.” Petrucci’s fret wizardry is always a treat to watch, he makes it all look so easy. Despite the fact there was a triple bill, there was little time wasted changing out sets. Each artist were able to have their stage set, which really made the show feel really big, as it should.

Joe Satriani’s set is almost indescribable in its perfection. His solo shows run long, so it may be the fact that his show was slightly truncated that made it so powerful. Everyone knows Joe surrounds himself with prolific musicians, and he is an amazing guitar player to watch, but whoever designed his light show deserves an award, it was a work of perfection. The lights were perfectly timed and added to a great set of music. I wish every light show was as well thought out. Satriani included his signature songs “Satch Boogie and “Summer Song” along with  4 new tracks off of his recent release “What Happens Next” disc.

As far as the final jam, which many fans consider the pièce de ré·sis·tance, did not disappoint at all. On their coverversion of Deep Purple’s “Highway Star,” the guitar gods had a solid framework for each guitarist to display their prowess and ability to combine their diverse playing styles. It was loud, just as any live Deep Purple song should be. The next cover was of Stevie Wonder’s “Superstition,” and the group’s take was unique. It was an interesting hybrid between the original and Stevie Ray Vaughn’s cover version. The full band really stretched out on the song. The evening ended with the blues masterpiece “Going Down.” It’s a song that has appeared on the tour before with different players.

The interplay between the guitarists was a joy to watch. The show took place on a Tuesday, which may have impacted attendance. It does not matter to any of the players whether the house is full or not, they put on a clinic on what a great guitar-driven show should look like. It’s a show that should be on your bucket list no matter which 3 you get with G3.

Phil Collen setlist:

Quadrant 4 (Billy Cobham cover)

Yo 2 Joe

Bless These Blues (Delta Deep song)

Burnt Sally (Delta Deep song)

Mistreated (Deep Purple cover)

Down in teh Delta (Delta Deep song)

 

John Petrucci setlist:

Wrath of the Amazons

Jaws of Life

The Happy Song

Damage Control

Glassy-Eyed Zombies

Glasgow Kiss (with Xanadu – Rush snippett)

 

Joe Satriani setlist:

Energy

Catbot

Satch Boogie

Cherry Blossoms

Thunder High on the Mountain

Super Funky Badass

Cataclysmic

Circles

Always With Me, Always With You

Summer Song

 

Encore:

 

Highway Star (Collen, Petrucci and Satraini -Deep Purple cover)

Superstition (Collen, Petrucci and Satraini -Stevie Wonder cover)

Going Down (Collen, Petrucci and Satraini -The Alabama State Troupers cover)

 

Phil Collen during the G3 show @ Rochester Auditorium, Rochester, NY 2-10-18
Phil Collen during the G3 show @ Rochester Auditorium, Rochester, NY 2-10-18
Phil Collen during the G3 show @ Rochester Auditorium, Rochester, NY 2-10-18
Phil Collen during the G3 show @ Rochester Auditorium, Rochester, NY 2-10-18
John Petrucci during the G3 show @ Rochester, NY 2-20-18
John Petrucci during the G3 show @ Rochester, NY 2-20-18
John Petrucci during the G3 show @ Rochester, NY 2-20-18
John Petrucci during the G3 show @ Rochester, NY 2-20-18
John Petrucci during the G3 show @ Rochester, NY 2-20-18
John Petrucci during the G3 show @ Rochester, NY 2-20-18
John Petrucci during the G3 show @ Rochester, NY 2-20-18
Joe Satriani during the G3 show @ Rochester, NY 2-20-18
Joe Satriani during the G3 show @ Rochester, NY 2-20-18
Joe Satriani during the G3 show @ Rochester, NY 2-20-18
Joe Satriani during the G3 show @ Rochester, NY 2-20-18
Joe Satriani during the G3 show @ Rochester, NY 2-20-18
Joe Satriani during the G3 show @ Rochester, NY 2-20-18
Joe Satriani during the G3 show @ Rochester, NY 2-20-18
Joe Satriani during the G3 show @ Rochester, NY 2-20-18
Joe Satriani during the G3 show @ Rochester, NY 2-20-18
Joe Satriani during the G3 show @ Rochester, NY 2-20-18
Phil Collen, John Petrucci and Joe Satriani during the G3 show @ Rochester Auditorium, Rochester, NY 2-10-18
Debbi Blackwell-Cook and Joe Satriani during the G3 show @ Rochester, NY 2-20-18
Phil Collen, John Petrucci and Joe Satriani during the G3 show @ Rochester Auditorium, Rochester, NY 2-10-18
Phil Collen, John Petrucci and Joe Satriani during the G3 show @ Rochester Auditorium, Rochester, NY 2-10-18
Phil Collen, Debbi Blackwell-Cook and Joe Satriani during the G3 show @ Rochester Auditorium, Rochester, NY 2-10-18
Debbi Blackwell-Cook and Joe Satriani during the G3 show @ Rochester, NY 2-20-18

Photos by Dave Jones. We would like to thank Melissa Dragich Cordero and Michelle Gutenstein from Mad Ink PR for the credentials to review the show.

 

 

Filed Under: Concert, Reviews

Primary Sidebar

TWITTER

  • Sylvain Sylvain, guitarist of the New York Dolls, has died of cancer at the age of 69: https://t.co/OrWBon1LWi https://t.co/BYmy6Z6HLv

    1 day ago
  • Lindsey Stirling and Mako Release Emotive New Single “Lose You Now”: https://t.co/OaAGznUSfB https://t.co/lagibVYAgt

    1 day ago
  • Edie Brickell & New Bohemians’ “Tripwire” debuts today: https://t.co/M2KTg2ZB1C https://t.co/fwLWCf2KYw

    1 day ago
  • Saga Share New Song "Wind Him Up": https://t.co/6Cxbzc7HWM https://t.co/9xaqnAbYJy

    1 day ago
  • Ani Di Franco Navigates Inner and Outer Chaos on "Simultaneously" Video: https://t.co/CRJYAkpH39 https://t.co/CR9UtupdNm

    1 day ago

RSS Ultimate Classic Rock

  • Michael Anthony Remembers Eddie Van Halen as a 'Humble Guy' January 16, 2021
  • Bruce Kulick Has Worked 'Extensively' on New Music With MOBB Band January 16, 2021
  • Why the Blues Brothers Made Their 'SNL' Debut in Bee Costumes January 16, 2021
  • 10 Essential Movies That Turn 50 in 2021 January 16, 2021
  • Nancy Wilson's New Album Includes Tribute to Eddie Van Halen January 16, 2021
  • Neil Young Announces 'Way Down in the Rust Bucket' Live Release January 15, 2021
  • The Stories Behind All 26 James Bond Movies January 15, 2021
  • Paul Stanley Announces Soul Station Album, 'Now and Then' January 15, 2021
  • Why Paul Stanley Was Locked Up at Kiss' 'Hotter Than Hell' Shoot January 15, 2021
  • Sylvain Sylvain, New York Dolls Guitarist, Dies at 69 January 15, 2021

Footer

ABOUT US

Backstageaxxess.com is independently run and was created in 2009 by CEO David “Gus” Griesinger and his team of talented professionals from around the globe, to bring you closer to the bands you love. Featuring in-depth interviews with today’s hottest Artists, CD & Concert reviews, exclusive photos, and the latest music news, our goal is to bring you the most current, entertaining and complete coverage of any music site on the web today.

Recent Posts

  • Sylvain Sylvain, guitarist of the New York Dolls, has died of cancer at the age of 69 January 15, 2021
  • Lindsey Stirling and Mako Release Emotive New Single “Lose You Now” January 15, 2021
  • Edie Brickell & New Bohemians’ “Tripwire” debuts today January 15, 2021

Copyright © 2021 · Metro Pro on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in