Steve Vai played the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall on 21/10/2005. I was fortunate enough to be there, 2nd row, just a couple of metres from the stage. The only disappointing thing about the seating was the view. Yes, really. Sitting at the front right of the stage meant that we were to Steve’s left. Like most guitarists, he cocks his guitar slightly to the right. Thus, we were able to see, in great detail, the back of his guitar neck. He’s a guitar legend, and the only reason anyone goes to a Steve Vai concert is to seem him play, see his fingers fly around the fretboard, setting it on fire. John and I weren’t able to see that.

We did have a great view of Billy Sheehan and Dave Weiner though, and from time to time Tony MacAlpline was in shot, infact he played a blistering solo about 3 metres from me. Despite this unfortunate viewing angle, the concert was still fantastic.

It was a little surreal to be so close to Steve Vai, possibly the greatest guitarist on the planet. And the music and guitar playing? Well it rocked! All the musicians were on top form, with Tony and Steve being particularly impressive. I loved the show. And Steve, ever the showman, really knows how to put on a great show.I should also mention that Eric Sardinas, the support act, was fantastic too. He combined blues, slide guitar, and hard rock, with the unusual combination of a resonator acoustic guitar played through a high gain amplifier. Again, a terrific guitarist, and a terrific show man. I must track down his album.