Steve Vai issued: Hey folks, I’m very excited to announce that Joe & I will be touring together again in 2026! And this time we’re bringing Animals As Leaders.
April 1 – Seattle, WA – Paramount Theatre April 2 – Portland, OR – Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall April 4 – Oakland, CA – Fox Theater April 5 – Reno, NV – Grand Sierra Resort and Casino April 7 – Long Beach, CA – Long Beach Terrace Theater April 8 – San Diego, CA – Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre April 10 – Mesa, AZ – Mesa Amphitheatre April 11 – Las Vegas, NV – The Theater at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas April 14 – Denver, CO – Mission Ballroom April 16 – Houston, TX – 713 Music Hall April 17 – Dallas, TX – Music Hall at Fair Park April 18 – Austin, TX – ACL Live at the Moody Theater April 20 – Mobile, AL – Saenger Theatre April 22 – Pompano Beach, FL – Pompano Beach Amphitheater April 24 – Clearwater, FL – Baycare Sound April 25 – St. Augustine, FL – St. Augustine Amphitheatre April 26 – Orlando, FL – Hard Rock Live April 27 – Atlanta, GA – Atlanta Symphony Hall April 29 – Charlotte, NC – Ovens Auditorium April 30 – Durham, NC – DPAC May 2 – Minneapolis, MN – State Theatre May 3 – Chicago, IL – Chicago Theatre May 5 – Milwaukee, WI – The Riverside Theater May 7 – Nashville, TN – Ryman Auditorium May 8 – Cincinnati, OH – PNC Pavillion at Riverbend Music Center May 9 – Indianapolis, IN – Everwise Amphitheater at White River State Park May 10 – St. Louis, MO – The Factory May 12 – Buffalo, NY – Kleinhans Music Hall May 13 – Toronto, Ont – Meridian Hall May 15 – Northfield, OH – MGM Northfield Park May 16 – Rochester Hills, MI – Meadow Brook Amphitheatre May 17 – Syracuse, NY – Landmark Theatre May 20 – Boston, MA – Leader Bank Pavilion May 21 – Albany, NY – Palace Theatre May 22 – Waterbury, CT – Palace Theater May 23 – Virginia Beach, VA – The Dome May 27 – Reading, PA – Santander Performing Arts Center May 28 – New York, NY – Beacon Theatre May 29 – Atlantic City, NJ – Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa May 30 – Vienna, VA – Wolf Trap
The SatchVai Band summer Euro tour of 2025 far exceeded anything I could have imagined. Joe and I struck pure jammin’ gold night after night. Being in the same band with Joe, playing songs we actually wrote together on stage, in real time felt like watching a childhood fantasy step out of my teenage brain and stroll onto the stage. And somehow, it was even more rewarding, satisfying, and downright fulfilling than I ever thought possible.
Guitar icons Joe Satriani, Eric Johnson, and Steve Vai – the original line-up behind the G3 touring concept – returned to the road in 2024 for a series of sold-out concerts in the US.
The just-released “G3 Reunion Live” album (available worldwide on earMUSIC) captures the full live experience – a full set from each artist and their own band followed by a superstar G3 encore jam.
From that jam now comes the official visualizer for their cover of Steppenwolf’s “heavy metal thunder” biker anthem “Born to be Wild.”
Created from live and backstage footage as well as a glimpse into the deluxe photo book (included in a deluxe edition with a different coloured LP for each artist as well as the encore jam), this is a snapshot of a tour that has become a celebration of guitar excellence and a platform for creative collaboration.
Created from live and backstage footage as well as a glimpse into the deluxe photo book (included in a deluxe edition with a different coloured LP for each artist as well as the encore jam), this is a snapshot of a tour that has become a celebration of guitar excellence and a platform for creative collaboration.
Tracklisting (all formats):
1. Gravitas (Vai) 2. Avalancha (Vai) 3. Little Pretty Intro (Vai) 4. Little Pretty (Vai) 5. Tender Surrender (Vai) 6. Zeus in Chains (Vai) 7. Teeth of the Hydra (Vai) 8. For the Love of God (Vai) 9. Land of 1000 Dances (Johnson) 10. Righteous (Johnson) 11. Trail of Tears (Johnson) 12. On-Ramp Improv (Johnson) 13. Freeway Jam (Johnson) 14. Desert Rose (Johnson) 15. Venus Reprise (Johnson) 16. Raspberry Jam Delta-V (Satriani) 17. Surfing with the Alien (Satriani) 18. Satch Boogie (Satriani) 19. Sahara (Satriani) 20. Nineteen Eighty (Satriani) 21. Big Bad Moon (Satriani) 22. Always with Me, Always with You (Satriani) 23. Sumer Song (Satriani) 24. Introductions 25. Crossroads (Encore Jam) 26. Spanish Castle Magic (Encore Jam) 27. Born to Be Wild (Encore Jam)
About Joe Satriani For over three decades, the guitar virtuoso has travelled the world, playing to sold-out crowds as both a headliner and as founder of the all-star “G3” guitar extravaganza. Satriani’s studio and live recordings have sold more than 10 million copies worldwide to date and of his many solo albums, two have gone platinum and four others went gold, with 15 Grammy nominations between them. He launched his annual “G4 Experience” in 2014 bringing aspiring guitarists together for four days of workshops, mentor sessions and live performances, providing an exclusive learning platform led by him and his accomplished peers. In 2021, he introduced the “Crystal Planet” comic series, a five-part opus interweaving the realms of music and art. The tour documentary “Beyond the Supernova,” directed by ZZ Satriani and currently available for streaming, offers an intimate behind-the-scenes glimpse that intricately chronicles his life, illuminating the profound dedication that fuels his guitar mastery. His side project, Chickenfoot, featuring former Van Halen frontman Sammy Hagar, former bassist Michael Anthony and Red Hot Chili Peppers’ drummer Chad Smith saw their debut album certified gold and their second studio album debuted at #9. Satriani released his 19th studio album, The Elephants of Mars, in April 2022. In 2024 Satriani embarked on Sammy Hagar’s Best of All Worlds tour.
About Eric Johnson Among Johnson’s many accolades are a Grammy award for “Cliffs of Dover ” (from his Platinum certified album, Ah Via Musicom), ten more Grammy nominations, lifetime induction into the Guitar Player Gallery of Greats and his listing among the “100 Greatest Guitarists of the 20th Century” by Musician. In his hometown of Austin TX, a city full of guitarists, the readers of the Austin Chronicle have voted ERIC JOHNSON the city’s “Best Electric Guitarist” and “Best Acoustic Guitarist” in their yearly poll year after year. They also named him “Electric Guitarist of the Decade” and one of the top five “Musicians of the Decade”. Eric released two new albums in 2022, The Book of Making and Yesterday Meets Today via his new partnership with Blue Élan Records. Eric is currently on the 2024 Experience Hendrix tour through late October.
About Steve Vai Steve Vai is a virtuoso guitarist, composer, and producer, considered by many as one of the greatest guitarists of all time. In over 40 years in the industry, Vai has sold over 15 million records, received three Grammy Awards, and recorded with music legends like Frank Zappa, David Lee Roth, Whitesnake and many more. Vai has also toured extensively and recorded live projects with G3 (collaborating with different touring line-ups including Joe Satriani, John Petrucci, Eric Johnson, Yngwie Malmsteen, and Steve Lukather) and Generation Axe, a supergroup Vai formed with Zakk Wylde, Yngwie Malmsteen, Nuno Bettencourt and Tosin Abasi. Vai is the author of Vaideology: Basic Music Theory for Guitar Players (Hal Leonard), his inaugural music theory book designed to help both beginners and veteran guitar players. He toured North America in support of his most recent studio album Inviolate before embarking on the BEAT tour playing the music of 80s King Crimson. For a complete discography and more visit www.vai.com.
The original G3 touring line-up has arrived with “G3 Reunion Live,” out now worldwide on earMUSIC. The album captures the guitar magic of Joe Satriani, Eric Johnson and Steve Vai on their sold-out 2024 US tour. This electrifying reunion features the three icons who first joined forces in 1996 and showcases boundary-pushing performances that define G3.
Fans will enjoy full sets from each, including hits like Satriani’s “Big Bad Moon,” Johnson’s “Desert Rose,” and Vai’s “Zeus in Chains,” along with a thrilling encore jam of Hendrix, Clapton and Steppenwolf covers.
“G3 Reunion Live” is more than “just” a live album. It’s a full length set from each artist plus a G3 encore jam and the first G3 release in 20 years. The deluxe edition features unique coloured vinyl for each artist, a G3 jam splatter LP, and a 64-page photo book with 2 CDs of the full show. It is also available in a 2CD digipack with photo booklet and 4 LP gatefold and digital.
“A G3 tour is always an electrifying experience….” – Steve Vai
“Playing with Joe and Steve was an affirmation that while we all want to push the envelope of musical boundaries; we also want to share our heart experience…” – Eric Johnson
“Reuniting with Eric and Steve this year, commemorating the very first G3 tour of ’96, was nothing short of glorious.” – Joe Satriani
G3 Reunion Live Album Release: January 31st, 2025
Formats: Digital, 2CD Digipack, 4LP (Black) Gatefold, Deluxe Slipcase with 4LPs (Coloured), 64 page coffee table book and 2CDs
1. Gravitas (Vai) 2. Avalancha (Vai) 3. Little Pretty Intro (Vai) 4. Little Pretty (Vai) 5. Tender Surrender (Vai) 6. Zeus in Chains (Vai) 7. Teeth of the Hydra (Vai) 8. For the Love of God (Vai) 9. Land of 1000 Dances (Johnson) 10. Righteous (Johnson) 11. Trail of Tears (Johnson) 12. On-Ramp Improv (Johnson) 13. Freeway Jam (Johnson) 14. Desert Rose (Johnson) 15. Venus Reprise (Johnson) 16. Raspberry Jam Delta-V (Satriani) 17. Surfing with the Alien (Satriani) 18. Satch Boogie (Satriani) 19. Sahara (Satriani) 20. Nineteen Eighty (Satriani) 21. Big Bad Moon (Satriani) 22. Always with Me, Always with You (Satriani) 23. Sumer Song (Satriani) 24. Introductions 25. Crossroads (Encore Jam) 26. Spanish Castle Magic (Encore Jam) 27. Born to Be Wild (Encore Jam)
Photo credit: Jen Rosenstein
About Joe Satriani For over three decades, the guitar virtuoso has travelled the world, playing to sold-out crowds as both a headliner and as founder of the all-star “G3” guitar extravaganza. Satriani’sstudio and live recordings have sold more than 10 million copies worldwide to date and of his many solo albums, two have gone platinum and four others went gold, with 15 Grammy nominations between them. He launched his annual “G4 Experience” in 2014 bringing aspiring guitarists together for four days of workshops, mentor sessions and live performances, providing an exclusive learning platform led by him and his accomplished peers. In 2021, he introduced the “Crystal Planet” comic series, a five-part opus interweaving the realms of music and art. The tour documentary “Beyond the Supernova,” directed by ZZ Satriani and currently available for streaming, offers an intimate behind-the-scenes glimpse that intricately chronicles his life, illuminating the profound dedication that fuels his guitar mastery. His side project, Chickenfoot, featuring former Van Halen frontman Sammy Hagar, former bassist Michael Anthony and Red Hot Chili Peppers’ drummer Chad Smith saw their debut album certified gold and their second studio album debuted at #9. Satriani released his 19th studio album, The Elephants of Mars, in April 2022. In 2024 Satriani embarked on Sammy Hagar’s Best of All Worlds tour.
About Eric Johnson Among Johnson’s many accolades are a Grammy award for “Cliffs of Dover ” (from his Platinum certified album, Ah Via Musicom), ten more Grammy nominations, lifetime induction into the Guitar Player Gallery of Greats and his listing among the “100 Greatest Guitarists of the 20th Century” by Musician. In his hometown of Austin TX, a city full of guitarists, the readers of the Austin Chronicle have voted ERIC JOHNSON the city’s “Best Electric Guitarist” and “Best Acoustic Guitarist” in their yearly poll year after year. They also named him “Electric Guitarist of the Decade” and one of the top five “Musicians of the Decade”. Eric released two new albums in 2022, The Book of Making and Yesterday Meets Today via his new partnership with Blue Élan Records. Eric is currently on the 2024 Experience Hendrix tour through late October.
About Steve Vai Steve Vai is a virtuoso guitarist, composer, and producer, considered by many as one of the greatest guitarists of all time. In over 40 years in the industry, Vai has sold over 15 million records, received three Grammy Awards, and recorded with music legends like Frank Zappa, David Lee Roth, Whitesnake and many more. Vai has also toured extensively and recorded live projects with G3 (collaborating with different touring line-ups including Joe Satriani, John Petrucci, Eric Johnson, Yngwie Malmsteen, and Steve Lukather) and Generation Axe, a supergroup Vai formed with Zakk Wylde, Yngwie Malmsteen, Nuno Bettencourt and Tosin Abasi. Vai is the author of Vaideology: Basic Music Theory for Guitar Players (Hal Leonard), his inaugural music theory book designed to help both beginners and veteran guitar players. He toured North America in support of his most recent studio album Inviolate before embarking on the BEAT tour playing the music of 80s King Crimson. For a complete discography and more visit www.vai.com.
As previously announced, iconic guitar legends Joe Satriani and Steve Vai have joined forces to create the SATCHVAI Band. Today, we are excited to introduce the full band line-up: powerhouse drummer Kenny Aronoff, renowned bassist Marco Mendoza, and virtuoso guitarist Pete Thorn complete the stellar quintet that is SATCHVAI Band.
“Finding the right musicians for the SatchVai Band was at first a daunting task, then, an exciting one; there are so many great musicians to choose from!” says Satriani. “It’s no secret that the chemistry between players will always be the thing that makes them a magical live band, and we’ve found that chemistry with Kenny, Marco, and Pete. The upcoming shows will focus on not only our respective solo works, but also the music from our new album. We are so excited to get this show on the road and celebrate it with all of our fans!”
As Vai explains, “When considering forming one band around myself and Joe we talked about the qualities needed for each position, bass, drums, rhythm guitar. It was a surprising challenge to find the right fits.”
Drummer Kenny Aronoff is no stranger to Satriani fans. He has toured alongside Joe as part of the Chickenfoot band, joined on Satriani solo tours since 2019, played on The Elephant of Mars album, and most recently stepped in for Jason Bonham on the Best of All Worlds tour with Satriani, Sammy Hagar and Michael Anthony.
“What can I say about the legendary Kenny Aronoff that I haven’t said before?” asks Satriani. No other drummer has the sound, feel, time, groove, and swagger like Kenny. He’s an exceptional human being too. He’s supernatural!”
“Kenny is the quintessential rock drummer,” said Vai. “His time is bullet-proof, his tone is fat and clean, and his ability to respond in an improvisational setting is instant. Besides that, he’s one of the easiest and most fun guys to tour with—an essential quality on the road.”
When it came to adding a rhythm guitarist and bass player, the duo was challenged to find the right combo. Vai had been aware of Pete Thorn for quite a while and knew he was perfect for their band. As Vai explains, “Pete’s playing is rock solid with a huge tone in his fingers. His rhythm playing is tight and in tune in a way that’s rare, and his intonation is stunning. He’s the perfect musician for this band, and we couldn’t be happier to have him.”
Satriani agrees, “Pete is an all-around monster guitarist. He has that rare ability to shine on rhythm and lead guitar, switching back and forth with finesse. He’s got the technical abilities and the rock ‘n’ roll attitude Steve, and I were hoping to find for our band.”
Then came the choice for bassist, again Vai says of the addition of Marco Mendoza, “Marco is a bass phenomenon. With his 6-string fretless, his bass sings with perfect intonation and swooning vibrato. His wide, rich tone and masterful control of dynamics will bring a new dimension to our songs.”
With Satriani echoing, “Marco’s musicianship is boundless. He’s got a special magic to his bass playing; it’s both foundational and out front at the same time. Together with his exceptional singing voice and stage presence, he will be a driving force in our band.”
“I’ve been performing and recording music with Joe Satriani since 2012 (Chickenfoot, Sammy Hagar, G3 and Joe’s band) and have performed live with Steve Vai, but the next level is RIGHT NOW because I am joining the SATCHVAI band for a two-month tour this summer in Europe. I am pumped, excited and ready to kick ass!” – Kenny Aronoff
“It sounds like something out of a mad fantastical dream that the 14-year-old guitar-obsessed me would have had….’Joe Satriani and Steve Vai called, they want you to join their new band!’ And then I’d wake up and go to 9th grade math class! But it’s real! It’s a mind-blowing opportunity, and yet I also feel like I’ve arrived exactly where I’ve always wanted to be. I’m beyond excited to be of musical service to these legends, and to rock out!” – Pete Thorn
“I have to say that getting invited to be part of a great project like this is monumental for me personally! I know it’s going to be something very special, and I can’t wait to get it started.” – Marco Mendoza
The SATCHVAI Band tour will kick off on June 13, 2025, and feature stops in major cities like London, Paris, Copenhagen, and Amsterdam, and will also include performances at major European summer festivals including Hellfest, Umbria Jazz Festival and Guitares en Scene Fest. The tour is set to conclude in late July, with more dates to be announced soon.
Celebrating nearly five decades of musical friendship, Joe Satriani and Steve Vai made their first musical collaboration debut in March 2024. “The Sea of Emotion, Pt. 1” showcases the unmatched synergy between these two legendary guitarists as they seamlessly trade solo sections throughout the nearly six-minute opus. Their second collaboration is set to be released just before the European tour, adding even more anticipation for this epic run.
Stay tuned for more details on this unprecedented collaboration and the release of their highly anticipated new music.
Photo by Jon Luini
Surfing with the Hydra Tour 2025 Itinerary (new dates in bold): June 13 York, UK – Barbican June 14 London, UK – Eventim Apollo June 17 Glasgow, SC – Glasgow Royal Concert Hall June 18 Wolverhampton, UK – Civic Hall June 19 Manchester, UK – O2 Apollo June 21 Clisson, FR – Hellfest June 22 Paris, FR – Palais Des Congres June 23 Amsterdam, NL – Amsterdam Afas June 24 Antwerp, BE – Lotto Arena June 26 Copenhagen, DK – Amager Bio June 27 Malmo, SE – Slagthuset Saluhallen June 29 Helsinki, FI – House of Culture June 30 Tampere, FI – Tampere Hall July 2 Uppsala, SE – Parksnackan July 3 Oslo, NO – Sentrum Scene July 5 Warsaw, PL – Torwar July 8 Munich, DE – Tollwood Festival July 10 Dusseldorf, DE – Mitsubishi Electric Hall July 11 Frankfurt, DE – Jahrhunderthalle July 12 Zurich, CH – Volkshaus Zürich July 13 Milan, IT – Comfort Festival @ Villa Casati Stampa July 15 Pordenone, IT – Parco San Valentino July 16 Perugia, IT – Umbria Jazz July 17 Bologna, IT – Sequoie Music Park July 18 Saint-Julien, FR – Guitares en Scene Festival July 20 Prague, CZ – Forum Karlin July 22 Sofia, BG – National Palace of Culture July 23 Bucharest, RO – Arenele Romane July 25 Istanbul, TR – KüçükÇiftlik Park (not yet on sale) July 28 Athens, GR – Lycabettus Theater
For over three decades, the guitar virtuoso has travelled the world, playing to sold-out crowds as both a headliner and as founder of the all-star “G3” guitar extravaganza. Satriani’s studio and live recordings have sold more than 10 million copies worldwide to date and of his many solo albums, two have gone platinum and four others went gold, with 15 Grammy nominations between them. He launched his annual “G4 Experience” in 2014 bringing aspiring guitarists together for four days of workshops, mentor sessions and live performances, providing an exclusive learning platform led by him and his accomplished peers. In 2021, he introduced the “Crystal Planet” comic series, a five-part opus interweaving the realms of music and art. The tour documentary “Beyond the Supernova,” directed by ZZ Satriani and currently available for streaming, offers an intimate behind-the-scenes glimpse that intricately chronicles his life, illuminating the profound dedication that fuels his guitar mastery. His side project, Chickenfoot, featuring former Van Halen frontman Sammy Hagar, former bassist Michael Anthony and Red Hot Chili Peppers’ drummer Chad Smith saw their debut album certified gold and their second studio album debuted at #9. Satriani released his 19th studio album, The Elephants of Mars, in April 2022. It was a busy 2024 for Joe Satriani as he embarked on the highly anticipated G3 Reunion tour alongside the original powerhouse line-up: Satriani, Eric Johnson and Steve Vai. This was followed by the Satch/Vai duo tour, where the longtime friends not only shared the stage but also unveiled a new musical collaboration together. Rounding out the year, Satriani joined forces with Sammy Hagar, Michael Anthony, and Jason Bonham for the Best of All Worlds tour, which sold out arenas nationwide and was met with widespread fan and critical acclaim.
Steve Vai is a virtuoso guitarist, composer, and producer, considered by many as one of the greatest guitarists of all time. In over 45 years in the industry, Vai has sold over 15 million records, received three Grammy Awards, and recorded with music legends like Frank Zappa, David Lee Roth, Whitesnake and many more. Vai has also toured extensively and recorded live projects with G3 (collaborating with different touring line-ups including Joe Satriani, John Petrucci, Eric Johnson, Yngwie Malmsteen, and Steve Lukather) and Generation Axe, a supergroup Vai formed with Zakk Wylde, Yngwie Malmsteen, Nuno Bettencourt and Tosin Abasi. Vai is the author of Vaideology: Basic Music Theory for Guitar Players (Hal Leonard), his inaugural music theory book designed to help both beginners and veteran guitar players. In the recent past, he has travelled the globe supporting his most recent studio album Inviolate, staging performances in 51 counties across the globe. Over the course of his 43 years touring, he continues to visit locations for the first time. His final excursion in 2023 saw Vai perform in Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam), Kaohsiung (Taiwan), Zallak (Bahrain), Bangalore and Kolkata (India), alongside six new markets in China (Foshan, Xi’an, Chengdu, Chongqing, Nanjing, and Hefei).
About Kenny Aronoff Kenny Aronoff is a world-renowned drummer celebrated for his precision, versatility, and powerhouse performances. With a career spanning over four decades, Aronoff has played on more than 60 Grammy-nominated recordings and worked with an extraordinary range of artists, including John Mellencamp, John Fogerty, Elton John, Bob Dylan, and Chickenfoot. His contributions extend across genres, from rock and pop to jazz and country, showcasing his adaptability and mastery of rhythm. A sought-after session and touring musician, Aronoff is known for his high-energy style and impeccable timing, which have established him as a prominent figure in the music industry. In addition to his extensive studio and live work, he is a published author, motivational speaker, and educator, sharing his experiences and expertise with audiences worldwide.
About Pete Thorn Pete Thorn is a celebrated guitarist whose dynamic and versatile playing has earned him spots alongside legends like Don Henley, Chris Cornell, and Melissa Etheridge. Originally from Edmonton, Thorn moved to Los Angeles to study at the prestigious Musicians Institute, launching a prolific career that includes stints with Sony-signed band Surreal McCoys and rock acts like Forty Foot Echo and Five for Fighting. Beyond his work as a sideman, Thorn has toured globally with stars such as Jewel and Mylene Farmer and collaborated with luminaries like Courtney Love and Linda Perry. His solo album Guitar Nerd showcases his mastery across a range of styles, from bluesy shredding to atmospheric fingerpicking. A true “guitar nerd,” Thorn also shares his expertise with a massive audience on his YouTube channel, where his gear demos and tutorials have amassed millions of views, solidifying his status as a modern guitar virtuoso.
About Marco Mendoza Marco Mendoza is a highly versatile bassist, vocalist, and songwriter with an extensive career that spans a variety of genres. He has recorded and toured with some of the biggest names in rock, including Blue Murder, Whitesnake, Thin Lizzy, Ted Nugent, and The Dead Daisies. A dynamic live performer, Marco is equally at home on large stages as in intimate settings, showcasing his ability to play everything from jazz and Latin groove to hard rock. As a solo artist, he has released several acclaimed albums, including Viva La Rock, Live for Tomorrow, and New Direction. In addition to his musical achievements, Marco is a dedicated ambassador for music, connecting with fans through clinics and interviews. With The Dead Daisies, he has contributed to multiple studio and live albums, performing across the globe from Cuba to Australia.
Joe Satriani, Eric Johnson, and Steve Vai returned to the G3 touring concept in 2024 for a sold-out US tour. This was the original G3 line-up that saw the three virtuosos first share a stage back in 1996. Each guitarist plays a full set with their own band and then the three join together for an encore jam.
For those lucky enough to have been at any one of those 2024 shows, ‘Big Bad Moon’ (from Joe Satriani’s Grammy-nominated, certified Gold “Flying in a Blue Dream” album) is a standout moment to relive and cherish again. For those who weren’t, G3 Reunion Live is the full G3 live experience waiting to be discovered.
“Reuniting with Eric and Steve, commemorating the very first G3 tour of ’96, was nothing short of genius. They were the first two guitarists I called when planning G3’s maiden voyage, so this reunion was a confirmation of our special connection.” – Joe Satriani
“G3 Reunion Live” is much more than “just” a live album. It’s a full album-length set from each artist plus a collaborative supergroup LP. The deluxe edition features a different coloured vinyl for each artist, a special splatter LP for the encore jam, and a 64-page photo book, divided into artist and jam chapters, with the full program also on 2 CDs. It is also available in a 2CD digipak with a 16-page photo booklet, 4 LP gatefold and digital download.
G3 Reunion Live Album Release: January 31st, 2025
Formats: Digital, 2CD Digipack, 4LP (Black) Gatefold, Deluxe Slipcase with 4LPs (Coloured), 64-page coffee table book and 2CDs.
Tracklisting (all formats):
Gravitas (Vai)
Avalancha (Vai)
Little Pretty Intro (Vai)
Little Pretty (Vai)
Tender Surrender (Vai)
Zeus in Chains (Vai)
Teeth of the Hydra (Vai)
For the Love of God (Vai)
Land of 1000 Dances (Johnson)
Righteous (Johnson)
Trail of Tears (Johnson)
On-Ramp Improv (Johnson)
Freeway Jam (Johnson)
Desert Rose (Johnson)
Venus Reprise (Johnson)
Raspberry Jam Delta-V (Satriani)
Surfing with the Alien (Satriani)
Satch Boogie (Satriani)
Sahara (Satriani)
Nineteen Eighty (Satriani)
Big Bad Moon (Satriani)
Always with Me, Always with You (Satriani)
Sumer Song (Satriani)
Introductions
Crossroads (Encore Jam)
Spanish Castle Magic (Encore Jam)
Born to Be Wild (Encore Jam)
Photo credit: Jen Rosenstein
About Joe Satriani For over three decades, the guitar virtuoso has travelled the world, playing to sold-out crowds as both a headliner and as founder of the all-star “G3” guitar extravaganza. Satriani’s studio and live recordings have sold more than 10 million copies worldwide to date and of his many solo albums, two have gone platinum and four others went gold, with 15 Grammy nominations between them. He launched his annual “G4 Experience” in 2014 bringing aspiring guitarists together for four days of workshops, mentor sessions and live performances, providing an exclusive learning platform led by him and his accomplished peers. In 2021, he introduced the “Crystal Planet” comic series, a five-part opus interweaving the realms of music and art. The tour documentary “Beyond the Supernova,” directed by ZZ Satriani and currently available for streaming, offers an intimate behind-the-scenes glimpse that intricately chronicles his life, illuminating the profound dedication that fuels his guitar mastery. His side project, Chickenfoot, featuring former Van Halen frontman Sammy Hagar, former bassist Michael Anthony and Red Hot Chili Peppers’ drummer Chad Smith saw their debut album certified gold and their second studio album debuted at #9. Satriani released his 19th studio album, The Elephants of Mars, in April 2022. In 2024 Satriani embarked on Sammy Hagar’s Best of All Worlds tour.
About Eric Johnson Among Johnson’s many accolades are a Grammy award for “Cliffs of Dover ” (from his Platinum certified album, Ah Via Musicom), ten more Grammy nominations, lifetime induction into the Guitar Player Gallery of Greats and his listing among the “100 Greatest Guitarists of the 20th Century” by Musician. In his hometown of Austin TX, a city full of guitarists, the readers of the Austin Chronicle have voted ERIC JOHNSON the city’s “Best Electric Guitarist” and “Best Acoustic Guitarist” in their yearly poll year after year. They also named him “Electric Guitarist of the Decade” and one of the top five “Musicians of the Decade”. Eric released two new albums in 2022, The Book of Making and Yesterday Meets Today via his new partnership with Blue Élan Records. Eric is currently on the 2024 Experience Hendrix tour through late October.
About Steve Vai Steve Vai is a virtuoso guitarist, composer, and producer, considered by many as one of the greatest guitarists of all time. In over 40 years in the industry, Vai has sold over 15 million records, received three Grammy Awards, and recorded with music legends like Frank Zappa, David Lee Roth, Whitesnake and many more. Vai has also toured extensively and recorded live projects with G3 (collaborating with different touring line-ups including Joe Satriani, John Petrucci, Eric Johnson, Yngwie Malmsteen, and Steve Lukather) and Generation Axe, a supergroup Vai formed with Zakk Wylde, Yngwie Malmsteen, Nuno Bettencourt and Tosin Abasi. Vai is the author of Vaideology: Basic Music Theory for Guitar Players (Hal Leonard), his inaugural music theory book designed to help both beginners and veteran guitar players. He toured North America in support of his most recent studio album Inviolate before embarking on the BEAT tour playing the music of 80s King Crimson. For a complete discography and more visit www.vai.com.
For the first time in their nearly 50-year musical careers, legendary guitar icons Joe Satriani and Steve Vai have united to form The SATCHVAI Band. The iconic guitarists will embark on an electrifying summer tour across the UK and Europe.
The UK leg of the tour will kick off at the York Barbican (June 13) followed by dates at LondonEventim Apollo (June 14), Glasgow Royal Concert Hall (June 17), Wolverhampton Civic Hall (June 18), and Manchester O2 Apollo (June 19).
An exclusive 48-hour ticket pre-sale will start at 10am on Wednesday December 11th via this link – https://comm.tix.to/SatchVaiBand (code: surfingwiththehydra).
Watch the official announcement by Joe Satriani and Steve Vai on YouTube:
Satriani and Vai, along with each of their respective bands, initially joined forces for their first-ever tour together, outside of the G3 format, the past spring (2024) across select U.S. cities. They decided it was finally time to form a band together and bring that winning formula to the live stage, beginning in Europe.
Celebrating nearly five decades of musical friendship, Joe Satriani and Steve Vai made their first musical collaboration debut in March 2024. “The Sea of Emotion, Pt. 1” highlights the unmatched synergy between these two legendary guitarists as they seamlessly trade solo sections throughout the six-minute opus. Their second collaboration is set to be released just before the European tour, adding even more anticipation for this epic run.
Satch and Vai’s musical careers have been intertwined since their very early days. Satriani served as Vai’s guitar teacher during their teenage years on Long Island, New York. Their connection has continued to evolve over the years, even sharing record labels, starting at Relativity Records in the late 80’s, to both calling Sony/Epic Records home for a significant portion of the 90’s. Together, they have also frequently teamed up with a third guitarist on multiple occasions throughout the span of three decades, participating in the semi-annual G3 Tours, both in the U.S. and abroad.
“The SATCHVAI Band Tour is happening! I’m so looking forward to sharing the stage with Steve again,” says Satriani. “Every time we play together, it takes me back to when we were teenagers, eating and breathing music every second of the day, pushing, challenging, and helping each other to be the best we could be. I guess we’ve never stopped!”
Vai adds, “Touring with Joe is always a pleasure and an honor. He is my favorite guitarist to jam with, and now we have another opportunity to take it to the stage. I feel as though we are both at the top of our game, and the show will be a powerful celebration of the coolest instrument in the world, the electric guitar!”
Joe Satriani has had a packed schedule having recently concluded the Sammy Hagar-led Best of All Worlds Tour, which was met with much fanfare and critical acclaim. While Steve Vai has been playing shows across the U.S. as part of the BEAT tour following the conclusion of the Satch/Vai tour earlier this year.
Stay tuned for more details on this unprecedented collaboration and the release of their highly anticipated new music.
“SATCHVAI BAND” FEATURING JOE SATRIANI AND STEVE VAI “SURFING WITH THE HYDRA” JUNE 2025 UK TOUR
EXCLUSIVE 48-HOUR TICKET PRE-SALE STARTS 10AM WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 11 VIA https://comm.tix.to/SatchVaiBand (code: surfingwiththehydra)
LONDON EVENTIM APOLLO SATURDAY 14 JUNE 2025 45 Queen Caroline Street, London, W6 9QH http://www.eventimapollo.com
GLASGOW ROYAL CONCERT HALL TUESDAY 17 JUNE 2025 Address: 2 Killermont St, Glasgow, G2 3NW glasgowlife.org.uk
WOLVERHAMPTON CIVIC HALL WEDNESDAY 18 JUNE 2025 University of Wolverhampton, North Street, Wolverhampton, WV1 1RD http://www.thehallswolverhampton.co.uk
June 13 – York, UK – Barbican June 14 – London, UK – Eventim Apollo June 17 – Glasgow, UK – Glasgow Royal Concert Hall June 18 – Wolverhampton, UK – Civic Hall June 19 – Manchester, UK – O2 Apollo June 21 – Clisson, FR – Hellfest June 22 – Paris, FR – Palais Des Congres June 23 – Antwerp, BE – Lotto Arena June 24 – Amsterdam, NL – Amsterdam Afas June 26 – Copenhagen, DK – Amager Bio June 29 – Helsinki, FI – House of Culture June 30 – Tampere, FI – Tampere Hall July 2 – Uppsala, SE – Parksnackan July 3 – Oslo, NO – Sentrum Scene July 5 – Warsaw, PL – Torwar July 8 – Munich, DE – Tollwood Festival July 10 – Dusseldorf, DE – Mitsubishi Electric Hall July 11 – Frankfurt, DE – Jahrhunderthalle July 12 – Zurich, CH – Volkshaus Zürich July 13 – Milan, IT – Comfort Festival @ Villa Casati Stampa July 15 – Pordenone, IT – Parco San Valentino July 16 – Perugia, IT – Umbria Jazz July 17 – Bologna, IT – Sequoie Music Park July 18 – Saint-Julien, FR – Guitares en Scene Festival
About Joe Satriani
For over three decades, the guitar virtuoso has travelled the world, playing to sold-out crowds as both a headliner and as founder of the all-star “G3” guitar extravaganza. Satriani’s studio and live recordings have sold more than 10 million copies worldwide to date and of his many solo albums, two have gone platinum and four others went gold, with 15 Grammy nominations between them. He launched his annual “G4 Experience” in 2014 bringing aspiring guitarists together for four days of workshops, mentor sessions and live performances, providing an exclusive learning platform led by him and his accomplished peers. In 2021, he introduced the “Crystal Planet” comic series, a five-part opus interweaving the realms of music and art. The tour documentary “Beyond the Supernova,” directed by ZZ Satriani and currently available for streaming, offers an intimate behind-the-scenes glimpse that intricately chronicles his life, illuminating the profound dedication that fuels his guitar mastery. His side project, Chickenfoot, featuring former Van Halen frontman Sammy Hagar, former bassist Michael Anthony and Red Hot Chili Peppers’ drummer Chad Smith saw their debut album certified gold and their second studio album debuted at #9. Satriani released his 19th studio album, The Elephants of Mars, in April 2022. In 2024 Satriani embarked on Sammy Hagar’s Best of All Worlds tour.
Steve Vai is a virtuoso guitarist, composer, and producer, considered by many as one of the greatest guitarists of all time. In over 40 years in the industry, Vai has sold over 15 million records, received three Grammy Awards, and recorded with music legends like Frank Zappa, David Lee Roth, Whitesnake and many more. Vai has also toured extensively and recorded live projects with G3 (collaborating with different touring line-ups including Joe Satriani, John Petrucci, Eric Johnson, Yngwie Malmsteen, and Steve Lukather) and Generation Axe, a supergroup Vai formed with Zakk Wylde, Yngwie Malmsteen, Nuno Bettencourt and Tosin Abasi. Vai is the author of Vaideology: Basic Music Theory for Guitar Players (Hal Leonard), his inaugural music theory book designed to help both beginners and veteran guitar players. He toured North America in support of his most recent studio album Inviolate before embarking on the BEAT tour playing the music of 80s King Crimson. For a complete discography and more visit www.vai.com.
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