Prog Rock pioneers King Crimson burst into the scene in the late ’60s, and their influence is still being felt well over fifty years after Robert Fripp put his band together in London in 1968.
Influencing other progressive rock outfits such as Genesis and Yes, the band, over the years, utilized what’s become a Who’s Who of musicians.
Taking a hiatus in 1974, Fripp put the band together again in the early ’80s.
Friday night’s offering at the Agora was BEAT, a nod to the 1982 release by the second iteration of the band, as well as an homage to the musical ingenuity and layered textures for which they were known.
A quartet of musicians, two members of the reformed King Crimson in 1981, and two journeymen rockers to accompany the KC alumni, rocked the Agora stage for ninety minutes.
Frontman Adrien Belew and bass player Tony Levin (members of the 1981 iteration) were joined by Steve Vai on guitar and Danny Carey (of prog metal band Tool) behind the kit.
A majority of the selections were instrumental only, allowing both Belew and Vai to shine in their roles as resident shredders.
Belew, known for incorporating some, shall we say, unorthodox playing techniques, shined in the first half of the show.
Breaking for a fifteen-minute intermission, the second half started with drummer Carey center stage, on an extended solo on the bongos. Transitioning (running, actually) back to his awaiting massive drum setup, he brought each of the other members into the mix, culminating with a master class in shredding by Mr. Vai.
Levin, known for his work with the Chapman Stick, played that instrument for the majority of the show, eschewing a traditional bass.
A late set addition, “Elephant Talk,” really gave Belew a chance to shine, bending his axe to the amusement of Vai and Levin.
Offering seventeen tunes, all KC songs, they came back out for a two-song encore (“Red” and “Thela Hun Ginjeet”), bringing the evening to a close.
