First thing to say: this tour covers more than Europe, My ‘Euro 26’ title was just to keep things simple.
It’s already a week into the tour and I’ve just finally found time to start up the road diary and upload some of the photos I’ve been taking. This update will cover the shows in Wolverhampton and London.
(In the next 44 days we’ll do 32 shows in 21 countries.)
Great to be back with the guys, of course. And to be re-re-visiting the Crimson music of the ‘80’s. We’ll have visits from other Crimson members, which should spice up the shows a bit!
And, just for the record, if you didn’t know, BEAT consists of Adrian Belew, Steve Vai, Danny Carey and myself, playing the music of King Crimson’s ‘80’s recordings.
Only a day to rehearse our material… and as you’d imagine, it was a long one
Though, at rehearsal, a short break for a little birthday celebration - both Steve’s and mine are today.
Presenting the cake, that’s Sarah, our production co-ordinator. Some of our team are new to the BEAT touring… some are the same as last time. I’ll introduce everyone as the pages go on. Here’s Blair, who’s handling Adrian’s guitar rig and my bass rig (just a hint, one of those is quite simple!)
Day two is the show, here in Wolverhampton’s Civic Hall.
And, aftershow, a visit from Robert Fripp - kind of put an explanation point on the tour. It’s Robert who suggested the band be called BEAT.
Then, onto the bus for a short-ish drive overnight, to London and…
SHOW TWO, June 8, at the Evantime Apollo Theater.
Looking around, backstage, I recalled playing here a few nights, with Paul Simon. That was back in… gee, 1980.
Out back, the busses await. These aren’t a big part of the show, but they’re very important to us… they’re pretty much home for the whole tour.
A visit from none other than Bill Bruford!
As people come in, here’s Nick, handling our monitors, as on previous tours.
If you’re looking for yourself here, a reminder: clicking on the image takes you to a larger version (which you’re welcome to download.)
And, aftershow, this seems like a King Crimson alumni day… here with Jakko Jakszyk, Mel Collins, and Jeremy Stacey
Coming up next; our Paris show at the famed l’Olympia Theater.