show review
rocknuts Tue May 13 '08
399
Newcastle City Hall, Newcastle,
Rank: 10 Posted: Mon May 19, '08 2:49 pm

Never missed a satch gig yet and this was a great show. Love the new album and it was great to meet Joe again. He recognized me from the last time I met him in 2006 which was cool and felt kinda special. He really is just a great warm guy and has all the time for his fans. Talked a lot about the Vox Satchurator, which is his new distortion pedal, so he did a pretty good job to convince me to buy one when it's released this month.

The sound from where I stood was to be expected. (just all Joe's monitor) however the view up close of the master made it all worthwhile. Bass playing from Stoooooooooooo was awsome and Jeff is just a tight flawless skin hitter who really rocks. And lets not forget Joe's tour manager and rocking sidearm Galen Henson. This guy is a great player, very underated in my view. I thought Joe got it right to go with the four piece (as he was considering a 5 piece) and he seemed to agree.

Just cant wait for the next G3.

hogi Tue May 13 '08
399
Newcastle City Hall, Newcastle,
Rank: 10 Posted: Sun May 18, '08 1:07 pm

Great gig, looked like everyone enjoyed themselves - except maybe Galen when Stu knocked him down!

Paul Gilbert was brilliant too, really made it a special night.

daviemac Tue May 13 '08
399
Newcastle City Hall, Newcastle,
Rank: 10 Posted: Sat May 17, '08 1:53 am
Newcastle city hall what a gig. Paul Gilbert was great but Joe was a step up in class. I have seen every Satch UK tour since Extremist 93 and Joe's playing on this one was propbably the best I have witnessed thus far. I had a seat 2 rows from the front which was also the best vanatage point I have ever had. The set was great it was a Pleasure to hear "Crying" again after so long it was so well delivered and executed as you'd expect from the master musician himself. Revelation was another great vibe with greats like Mystical, flying, always, Surfing there for the archives with 'Out of the sunrise' and Andalusia stealing the show from the new album. What a great gig, I cannot wait fro the next one. Davie Mac.

jackface20 Tue May 13 '08
399
Newcastle City Hall, Newcastle,
Rank: 10 Posted: Thu May 15, '08 11:47 am
First time ive seen both Paul Gilbert and Satch, I thought it was absolutely awsome although I can see what people mean about the sound quality - at times the guitar didnt seem to cut through well enough, although I was near the back so didnt have any volume problems - it certainly wasnt bad enough to destract from how awsome both performances were though

roodah Tue May 13 '08
399
Newcastle City Hall, Newcastle,
Rank: 10 Posted: Thu May 15, '08 3:26 am

An absolutley incredible show. My first Satch show, first time seeing Paul Gilbert aswell. The setlist was brilliant, couldn't have been better reallly.

The meet and greet session was an amazing experiance too. Joe is a really nice person aswell, very down to earth. The crew were great too. I feel I've learnt a lot about the music industry from this concert. Well worth the 10 hour road journey.

I hope you'll take into consideration "Eden Court" or the "Iron Works" Inverness, Scotland as a possible venue in future tours, their well suited for the type of show, and would reduce travel times for me to around 15 mins :D. Not to mention theres a lot of Satch fans around here.

Thanks for a spectacular preformance

sparks101 Tue May 13 '08
399
Newcastle City Hall, Newcastle,
Rank: 8 Posted: Wed May 14, '08 4:16 pm

Well...............

I was glad to get into the City Hall in time for Paul's show as I am a fan of both acts playing on the night, however, what happened to the sound quality and the PA guys??

PG's set opened up well; as usual, precise playing and a mix of a bluesy phrasing intermingled with Paul's shredding-based licks - played out on stage with precision to a favourable audience. Not sure what PG's wife was doing there though. She appears to be a very talented and accomplished keys player; however, just replicating Paul's notes doesn't justify a place on stage - despite how pretty she is - and she is completely stunning - but I am a musician - sorry.

Tracks from PGs own stuff, Racer X and Mr Big made it a big nite - thanks for Daddy, Brother ...... - made it an awesome gig - shame the vocals on the PA weren't at all balanced so we couldn't hear the vocals at stage left for anyone except Paul - Bass was v weak also (same for keys) so if someone can sort of the levels .....................

Next to JS - and what an amazing artist Joe has become. The band were amazing too - Galen blew me away with his playing and consistency last time Joe played Newcastle, and I wasn't disappointed this time. Stu (Boo - and I am part of the fan club) - what was going on with the bass sound...... one set of cabs on and some iffy tuning moments - the sound was very average with some early lacking moments of precision on the playing side, which were superceded by an impeccable second half of the gig - WTF.

The balance of the PA was not quite what it should have been - it should have been sorted out during PGs set, but it wasn't - and it basically detracted from what was an awesome show - the reviews which precede this one tell it like it is - awesome playing and professional performances from the artists which were let down by the sound quality on the night.

Anyway - I've been playing all day, as usual, after a satch gig - and since buying my first Vinyl record about 20 or so years ago, I am still a devoted worshipper - wouldn't have swapped last night for anything in the world.

Everyone played with impeccable talent last night and I was totally blown away with the musicianship of everone involved - thanks guys - you rock!!!

kansei Tue May 13 '08
399
Newcastle City Hall, Newcastle,
Rank: 10 Posted: Wed May 14, '08 8:48 am
Fantastic again, Joe really looked like he enjoyed the night. Sound did seem a bit off, but still one of the best Satriani concerts I have seen. First time I have seen Paul Gilbert he was a great support. Stu (or Boo as some people shouted) was again on top form. Great night.

andy66 Tue May 13 '08
399
Newcastle City Hall, Newcastle,
Rank: 9 Posted: Wed May 14, '08 7:29 am
As always Joe the man scores 10 but I have to agree with the others the sound was a little dodgy at times. Stu Hamm's return was certainly welcome. I had never heard any of Paul gilbert's stuff before and have to say I was suitably impressed. As a last point it has to be said after all these years it is refreshing to see an artist like Joe who obviously loves what he does and loves playing live he is one of the few older artists who makes an effort to play enough dates to give everyone a fair chance to see him , for that respect goes out to you sir!!!

robjoice Tue May 13 '08
399
Newcastle City Hall, Newcastle,
Rank: 8 Posted: Wed May 14, '08 6:48 am

Really, really enjoyed myself last night. Paul Gilbert was absolutely stunning. After the first 30 seconds of his set though, his guitar seemed to get turned right up and deafen all us standing at the left of the stage, making it a tad difficult to hear everything properly.

Joe's set, as always, was fantastic. It was great to hear old tunes like Cryin' which bring back memories for me. Diddle-Y-A-Doo-Dat was one of my faves too. However, unlike his last appearance at the City Hall, the sound quality wasn't as good as I thought it could have been. Similar to the problems with Gilbert's. And was it just me that thought half of Satch's guitars were out of tune? Usually the high E...

Anyhows, I'd waited 2 years for Satch to come back, and it was well worth it! If you're reading, all the best for the rest!

Rob

johnmac Tue May 13 '08
399
Newcastle City Hall, Newcastle,
Rank: 8 Posted: Wed May 14, '08 6:11 am




Great to see The Man for the first time. However, a bit disaapointed at the sound quality otherwise 10/10. Don't know if it was just the City Hall or what, but I could hardly recognise some of the tunes without putting my fingers in my ears. If only it sounded as good as listening to Joe through my Bose QC2 headphones.

Must admit I prefer Joe's older stuff which he didn't play a great deal of. However, the old stuff he did play was awesome (with fingers in ears). Stu's solo was fab!

Cheers Joe keep it up...(and the guys).

I'll be back......




siogo Tue May 13 '08
399
Newcastle City Hall, Newcastle,
Rank: 9 Posted: Wed May 14, '08 2:27 am
We have just been to see Joe , this being my tenth time of seein the man and did not dissapoint!! good to see stu back,and also nice to see Galen rockin out and throwing some proper rock star shapes!!!!!, i have to say the sound could have been better, a bit distorted in my view, but otherwise an excellent show with a brilliant light show, and what a bonus too, Paul Gilbert, my first time seein him live , will be goin to see him in november at the academy for sure, KEEP ROCKIN JOE!!!!!!!!!!!!

quincy Tue May 13 '08
399
Newcastle City Hall, Newcastle,
Rank: 10 Posted: Wed May 14, '08 1:03 am
Awesome show, cracking setlist! Great work guys, loved it.