It’s May and that means it’s outdoor concert season- and kicking things off in Indianapolis was the SatchVai Band, which features guitar legends Steve Vai and Joe Satriani.
Animals As Leaders opened up the show and blew everyone away with their technical instrumental prog metal. It doesn’t get any more intricate than Animals As Leaders and the fans in the venue were loving every second of the set.
The sounds that came out of the members’ instruments should not be possible for any human to be able to do, but the guys in Animals As Leaders did it and made it look so simple and easy- they’re by far one of the most impressive bands you’ll ever see live.
SatchVai- backed by Marco Mendoza and Kenny Aronoff- took the stage next for a lesson in guitar work and musicianship.
They played a few songs together as a tandem and then also alternated playing songs solo with the rest of the band. The two guitar gods took time to tell stories and discuss their mutual respect for each other as well.
The juxtaposition of styles was amazing to see coming together, making the guitars talk and sing, showing exactly why they’ve reached the icon status they both have.
-Reggie Edwards