show review
sybalingus Sat Aug 17 '02
Austin Music Hall
Austin, TX, US
Rank: 10 Posted: Wed Aug 18, '04 10:52 pm
The first time I saw you was at the austin music hall, i waited in line for 2 hrs, once i got in the ambience that I felt was imeasurable. 85 % of the fans that were at the concert were musicians. I understood then that the people that appreciate your expertise are musically inclined. Ihave asked about your music to the layman crowd and I have recieved a feeling of impartiality and ignorance. this I can not understand. I feel that my partiality to your music should be appreciated and respected. good luck in your ventures; an impresed and biast fan.

petrucciator
(art)
Sat Aug 17 '02
Austin Music Hall
Austin, TX, US
Rank: 10 Posted: Sun Sep 08, '02 11:15 pm
totally F**kin awesome.. words cannot explain.. satch is the man.

spursfan33
(Jerod Clark)
Sat Aug 17 '02
Austin Music Hall
Austin, TX, US
Rank: 10 Posted: Wed Aug 21, '02 9:06 pm
Joe kicks ass! What a fantastic show! We got there just as King's X was finishing, but what I heard sounded good. Then Dream Theater came on, and their opener "Pull Me Under" sounded great. Honestly, though, after several more songs, I found myself wishing for the end of their set. Maybe it was just anticipation. Joe came on and totaly blew the other guys away. Great sound, as usual, and he played with precision and feeling. Most of my favorite songs were on the setlist. I really enjoyed the new "Starry Night", and I thought "Rasberry Jam" was awesome too. Joe switched guitars every couple of songs, but mostly stuck with his trusty Chrome Boy. Matt Bissonette was great on the bass. I love when Stu Hamm plays with Joe (because he plays the Charlie Brown song), but Matt did a fine job. Jeff Campitelli was good on the drums. He seemed to start off a little stiff, but he got warmed up and ended the show well. I was glad that they added a rythym guitarist for the live set. It really brought a full sound to the show. Like everyone else, my only complaint is that they didn't play longer. They should have cut Dream Theater off at 30 minutes, and given the extra hour to Joe and the guys. I wasn't lucky enough to go backstage, but my girlfriend did catch a pick for me, so that was nice. Awesome job, everyone! Looking forward to the next show. Come back soon!!!

DuXx
(JOSE JESUS BLANCO-DURAN)
Sat Aug 17 '02
Austin Music Hall
Austin, TX, US
Rank: 10 Posted: Mon Aug 19, '02 9:52 pm
I really want to express all the emotion that I feel for saw you live again; Ive been waiting for 15 years to be able to see the master Satriani and 12 to see the greateful musicians of Dream Theater and in this 2002 I have seen twice. Although in my country México, I had chance to know them live and to chat with my idols, the experience in Austin was huge. Thanks for the music and that God blesses you guys. VIVA MEXICO CABRONES

dekon bleu
(Lowell Rice)
Sat Aug 17 '02
Austin Music Hall
Austin, TX, US
Rank: 10 Posted: Mon Aug 19, '02 10:28 am

Joe, Matt, Jeff and Galen,

You guys rocked the house in Austin on Saturday. Awesome set and impeccable performance. Only "complaint" would be that you weren't playing for the full 4 hours. Couldn't get enough of the four of you.

The entire set was great. An awesome mix of old and new material. From Crushing Day to Oriental Melody and everything in between. A few old favorites weren't present, but given the amount of time you had on stage it was an overwhelming display from a tight band of incredible performers.

Joe, as always you blew me away with your skill, music, performance and groove. Even though I will only be able to play along with you via your cd's, getting a close personal view from the floor allowed me to cop a couple of tricks to apply to my own stuff. Thanks for that, as well! Now I can get rid of the synth on my own tune and use the "violin bowing" pick method.

I look forward to the next chance I get to see you all play. Keep up the awesome work. I hope that everyone else who gets to attend one of the shows gets a show as great as the one in Austin.

Cheers, Lowell

PhilCollen
(Dave)
Sat Aug 17 '02
Austin Music Hall
Austin, TX, US
Rank: 8 Posted: Mon Aug 19, '02 7:44 am
Once again, Satch tore it freakin' up. I was personally looking forward to the new tunes, and they, as always, were not disappointing. Galen is a nice addition to the stage act, much better than having the tape and loops and all that mess. Best live song had to be Mystical Potato Head Groove Thing, or maybe Friends. Both of these were right on the money, loud, and very crowd pleasing. The only bad thing about Satch's set was the length. Other than that, great show, the stage performance is second to none when it comes to guitar players.

buda_jones Sat Aug 17 '02
Austin Music Hall
Austin, TX, US
Rank: 9 Posted: Mon Aug 19, '02 6:31 am
The show was great, Joe was incredible, but I was disappointed in the crowd. You can tell by the tone of the other review, this crowd was there for Dream Theater. During Joe's set a lot of people were just standing around, they didn't seem to be getting into it as much. King's X rocked, they are one of my favorite bands. The vocals were a little hard to distinguish, but the attitude came through. Dream Theater really blew me away. I've always loved them as a band, and this was my first time seeing them live. The sound was great, the songs were great. These guys are really tight, without looking like they are trying too hard. Then Joe came out and just ripped. My only complaint was that he didn't play long enough, but I guess unless he played for about 12 hours straight, none of us would think it was long enough! I don't want to spoil all the details, the set list has been posted in some other reviews. I will say the encore was a sweet blast from the past! I was an aftershow pass winner, so we went to an upstairs room where Joe came and signed autographs. He was gracious and patient with everyone there. I do have to recommend that you try and see this tour at a small club like this. I'm sure the ampitheater shows are great, but we could practically touch the front of the stage we were so close!

Crimson Sunrise Sat Aug 17 '02
Austin Music Hall
Austin, TX, US
Rank: 10 Posted: Sun Aug 18, '02 5:14 pm

After seeing the show in Grand Prairie (Dallas), me and my friend went down to see them in Austin. I actually enjoyed this show more. Many that were there or have been at the Austin Music Hall, know that it's a small club that's similar to a freaking warehouse. Very hot and steamy, with smoke-filled air. So, many dislike it and consider it a dump. Well, call me crazy, but I just really love a small club enviroment like it compared to the bigger, nicer venues like the NextStage in GP. It was easier to make out the sound and it just seemed more "in your face"...which it definitely was louder because of it's size. And also, it's like your closer to the band (which I was), but really a more intimate setting. I honestly believe the bands can enjoy these type of places too...because of the smaller size...they seemed so laid back, if you know what I mean. Okay, to the review.........

King's X were great once again. The Austin crowd seemed more into them than the Dallas. But, again...I was really looking foward to the next two acts. Dream Theater then took to the stage. OMG! They were absolutely INCREDIBLE! Just as I had thought, they played an entirely different setlist than in Dallas, which I was happy about. They started off with "Pull Me Under", and the crowd went totally wild. I've never heard them play it live...and was shocked and how amazing it sounded. The crowd wasa so into it ...singing along to the verses, and especially the choruses. They performed so well. They played many songs from Scenes from a Memory, and then a selection of other songs from earlier albums. And of course some from their latest album, Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence. They totally suprised me by playing "Misunderstood" from their new one which I wasn't aware was being played anywhere. It sounded so great. Also, they played "Great Debate" from it, which I wasn't ever that into...but live, it was simply amazing! They ended their set with "Learning to Live", which I can't even put into words...it was truely awesome. The crowd stayed in a mad frenzy for their entire set, then when they went to say goodbye to the crowd, everyone in the place was shouting..."PLAY! PLAY! PLAY!". They even seemed shocked with the reception they were getting from the crowd. Even as they left the stage and as the roadies came out to tear their equipment down...the crowd shouted for about 5 minutes straight..."WE WANT MORE!" over and over again. I thought they got a great response from the crowd in Dallas...but, this was simply intense! I kept thinking to myself....how in the HELL is Satch gonna follow this...it really didn't seem possible. Well, Satch came out with a moderate response. And gained more and more love from the crowd as his set went on. I must say, he came out with a vengence! He was balls-to-the-wall, on FIRE! I've seen him many times, but I've never seen him "on" like I did yesterday. He's playing was top notch. He nailed all of his songs. He played like a man possessed...yet so natural in his form. Needless to say, it was one hell of a show.