SATCHVAI BAND “SURFING WITH THE HYDRA” TOUR 2026
The Mesa Amphitheater provided the perfect backdrop for a night of pure guitar magic as the “Surfing With The Hydra” tour rolled into town. It wasn’t just a concert; it felt like a celebration of everything that makes instrumental rock great. The evening kicked off with Animals As Leaders, and by the time they hit the stage, the crowd was already out in full force, filling up the seats and spreading across the grass. One of the best parts of seeing them outdoors was actually getting to see the band. Usually, when they play inside, the lighting is so dim you can barely make out who’s who, but the open-air setting changed the whole vibe. Founding member and lead guitarist Tosin Abasi was a total standout, especially with his golden guitar catching the light as he played. His technical skill is honestly hard to wrap your head around, those thumping riffs and fluid leads were the perfect way to set the bar for the rest of the night. While the whole band sounded tight and heavy, you could tell most people were there just to watch Tosin do what he does best during those incredible solos.
Once the sun went down, it was finally time for the main event: Joe Satriani and Steve Vai. They brought along a powerhouse backing band, featuring Marco Mendoza on vocals and bass, the versatile Pete Thorn on guitar, and the legendary Kenny Aronoff on drums. Seeing Joe and Steve share the stage for the first few songs was one of those “bucket list” moments for any guitar fan. The chemistry was effortless. After the joint opening, they settled into a cool rhythm where they’d take turns leading the band through tracks from their own iconic catalogs.
Joe Satriani brought that classic “Satch” energy we all love. Hearing the high-octane drive of “Surfing With The Alien” and the foot-stomping rhythm of “Satch Boogie” live is always a rush, but “Always With Me, Always With You” was the real heart-stopper. It’s such a beautiful, melodic piece that the whole venue seemed to go quiet just to soak it in. Then you had Steve Vai, who counterbalanced Joe’s style with his own brand of beautiful, guitar wizardry. He put on a masterclass with the dynamic control of “Tender Surrender” and the sheer visual spectacle of the “Teeth Of The Hydra” multi-neck guitar. Finishing his solo performance with “For The Love Of God” was the perfect touch; it’s such an emotional, soaring track that it really highlights why he’s in a league of his own.
Having seen both Joe and Steve once before, I can say they’re consistently at the top of their game. Their playing is nothing short of impeccable, and their ability to keep things fresh while playing the hits everyone wants to hear is amazing. It really is a treat to witness that level of musicianship in person. If you ever get the opportunity to see these legends live, please do yourself a favor and go. I’m wishing Joe, Steve, and the entire band nothing but the best for the rest of this tour. It was a night to remember.
SATCHVAI
ANIMALS AS LEADERS
