Steve Vai Brings His “Inviolate Tour” to New Haven Connecticut’s College Street Music Hall on November 1 2022

November 3, 2022
International Concert Reviews, International Galleries
by Jody Wilk Photographer/Writer

On a warm November evening, guitar virtuoso, Steve Vai brought his wizardry to The College Street Music Hall in New Haven, Connecticut. Although I was less familiar with him until his time in Whitesnake, his experience goes far beyond that. Having taken lessons from Joe Satriani at an early age, and working with Frank Zappa and David Lee Roth, his musical career is nothing but astonishing. Steve has over 15 million albums sold and is currently touring to support his Inviolate album which was released January 28 of this year. Today’s show was rescheduled from the original date of March 31 of this year. According to Steve, he injured his arm pulling a pizza out of his pizza oven and needed surgery.

The venue was about three quarters full when the house lights went down and the intro music started to play. Lots of smoke filled the air. As the band began to play, and Steve walked to the front of the stage with an Ibanez guitar that had illuminated fret markers and spotlights glaring off its highly reflective surface, making for an unforgettable entrance while playing “Avalancha”. Throughout his nineteen-song set, he played 6 songs off of Inviolate as well as many favorite songs spanning his career. Steve gave each of his band members time to show their talents with a solo. Even his guitar tech, Dante Frisiello, got to come out and show his talents on a custom Jerry Jones Guitars electric Sitar.

Although Steve played on a multitude of guitars, the highlight of the night for many was getting to see The Hydra. The fans were on their feet to get a glimpse of this triple neck instrument that features seven and twelve string guitars, a four-string bass, and 13 harp strings. This Ibanez beast is a beautiful piece of artwork! He broke it out for the song “Teeth of the Hydra”. It’s a treat to see him manipulate this instrument and make it sing.

This show was nothing short of sensory overload for the ears and eyes. I was thrilled to get to experience Steve Vai on his Inviolate Tour. This is one that’s not to be missed. You can catch the tour across the country through early December.

Steve Vai Band is:

Steve Vai – Guitar

Jeremy Colson – Drums

Dave Weiner – Guitar, Keyboards

Dante Frisiello – Guitar Tech

Philip Bynoe – Bass