KING CRIMSON Announces June/July 2020 North American Tour With THE ZAPPA BAND (unlike Pearl Jam, they're not afraid of a little Coronavirus)

Blabbermouth ^ | March 9, 2020 | N/A

[DoodleBob]

...we started at KC and we're ending with Keneally. How fitting - he used to stream his own radio station ("Radio Keneally") and he had a version of Larks' Tongues he recorded with his brother when he was 16..of course it was awesome.

Mike is simply bitchn' AND is of the nicest, coolest guys and totally without attitude - and yet if someone was ENTITLED to have an attitude, it's him. Yes, his simultaneous guitar and keyboard playing is astounding. Yes, he played with Frank.

But the man is a prolific composer of EXCELLENT material, and his band of Brian Beller and either Joe Travers or Marco Minnemann is second to none. The MKB is basically backing Joe Satriani nowadays and when I catch those shows I tell friends I'm going to see Beer for Dolphins featuring Satch.

[Bruce Campbells Chin]

This tour obviously was cancelled, but they all came back in 2021 and I just saw this show in Cleveland. Crimson and the Zappa Band made for a great night of music. Kind of sad to know that it is very likely Crimson’s last tour, though.

[DoodleBob]

I saw it was back on, though they had a few delays and hurricane interruptions. Everyone should go see them.

[Bruce Campbells Chin]

Yup. Last chance!

I saw KC on tour in 2017, and it was the best show I'd ever seen. They were so freaking powerful the audience was kind of just sitting there stunned after the first set. And the second set was just as good. Told a buddy I'd trade every show I'd ever seen just to see that one again.

I saw them again in 2019 and again a week ago. The 2019 show was not quite up to the 2017 show -- maybe just because I liked the set list a bit better in 2017. The 2021 show with Zappa was great, but short. Only 12 songs versus the 21 we got in 2017.

Still, a fantastic show. There will never be another band like them.

[Bruce Campbells Chin]

Setlist from 2017.

Devil Dogs of Tessellation Row (drum trio)

Larks' Tongues in Aspic, Part One

Pictures of a City

Cirkus

Neurotica

Fallen Angel

Epitaph

Radical Action (To Unseat the Hold of Monkey Mind)

Meltdown

Larks' Tongues in Aspic, Part Two

Islands

Set 2:

Indiscipline

Moonchild

The Court of the Crimson King

Hell Hounds of Krim (percussion piece)

Lizard Suite (Dawn Song / Skirmish / Prince Rupert Awakes only)

Easy Money

Radical Action II

Level Five

Starless

Encore:

21st Century Schizoid Man

https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/king-crimson/2017/hard-rock-live-northfield-oh-3be0c414.html

The stuff from the often-overlooked 3rd and 4th albums -- Lizard and Islands -- really came across well. Probably because the instrumentation and vocals both were stronger with this band than the original. Obviously, not having Greg Lake belting out Epitaph or In the Court was noticeable, but still great renditions.

I didn't follow them as much in the late 90's-2000's, but Level V from that period is re-interpreted by this band and is a highlight of their shows. Absolutely terrifying, powerful instrumental.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V5QjNcSogBo