G3 2018 featuring Joe Satriani, John Petrucci and Phil Collen at the Orpheum Theater in Los Angeles, CA 1/19/2018

​The Orpheum in Los Angeles was the sight for Joe Satriani and his G3 2018 tour. Satriani has been touring with a stellar lineup of fellow guitarists since 1996 and this year’s version features John Petrucci of Dream Theater and Def Leppard’s Phil Collen.


Phil Collen opened up the show with an amazing display of rock and blues instrumentals. Included in his band is drummer Forrest Robinson and on bass guitar Craig Martini. They were joined later in the set by Delta Deep singer Debbi Blackwell-Cook, who really brought together their unique take of blues based rock ‘n’ roll.  A treat for us all ensued, as Collen’s Def Leppard band mate Vivian Campbell joined in for a take on the song “Hysteria”.


John Petrucci brought the guitar concerto to another level. Dream Theater’s drummer Mike Mangini is also part of the trio that includes bass player Dave LaRue. Petrucci’s set was 45 minutes of amazing guitar mastery. He then stepped aside to allow the main event on stage.


Joe Satriani was next to the stage and blew us all away. He is the ultimate guitar instrumentalist. Joining Satriani on this tour is Bryan Beller on bass, Joe Travers on drums and Mike Kenneally on guitar and keyboards. Satriani tore through an hour of his solo work before ending his set with “Summer Song”. 


The three guitar virtuosos all emerged and were joined on this evening by none other than rock legend Glenn Hughes. He lent his vocal talent to all three songs “Going Down”, “Superstition” and the Deep Purple classic “Highway Star”. Vivian Campbell joined them for “Superstition”, while Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith banged on the drums for “Highway Star”.


Coming soon to a theater near you this is already shaping up to be the show of 2018.
 
The full photo album can be found here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/jschaef00/albums/72157691702533924
 
The Official Website is located here:
http://www.satriani.com/G3/
 
All Images © Joe Schaeffer Photography