Freedom Is a Guitar: Joe Satriani and Steve Vai
Words by Liz Wyatt
Photos by Steve Satzberg
The last show of the SATCHVAI Surfing the Hydra Tour was at Wolf Trap on May 30.
Prog-metal band Animals as Leaders opened with a kaleidoscope of guitars. Dueling shredders with instrumental wizardry changing guitars from 12 string to 8 string to Vai’s own 7 string, every song like a musical costume change. All showcased to a venue full of guitar geeks looking to be wowed. Animals as Leaders delivered with lyric-free electric mania with riffs overlapping intertwining weaving together double tap-fingering inducing intricate soundscapes. AAL began here in Montgomery County, a local success story bringing it back home for the last performance of the tour.
Surfing the Hydra celebrates 53 years since Steve Vai at 12 years old knocked on Joe Satriani’s door for his first guitar lesson in suburban Long Island. Joe says that after five decades of career success for both of them, the pressure of proving themselves was gone and they could just let this album happen in the studio free from the pressure of outside sources. The SATCHVAI Band includes bassist Marco Mendoza, guitarist Pete Thorn, and drummer Kenny Aronoff.
Joe, Steve, Marco, and Pete traded solo sections collaborating for an epic 6-plus minute masterpiece version of “Sea of Emotion.” This tour highlighted songs from the album and treasured favorites like the immortal “Tender Surrender.”
Watch Joe Satriani and Steve Vai perform “The Sea of Emotion, Pt. 1” on YouTube:
The parade of instruments reached its peak when the three-necked Hydra appeared amid the lights and the cacophony of sound from the band. Somehow Joe managed to follow, playing “Satch Boogie” with a wail loud and wild enough to match the Hydra energy. Joe and Steve left the stage to a standing ovation. While we were standing and cheering for an encore the band played “Born to Be Wild.” Already on our feet, the whole crowd danced and chanted to close the show.
Setlist
Dancing
I Wanna Play My Guitar (the only song on the album with lyrics)
Sea of Emotion
Zeus in Chains
Little Pretty
Ice 9/ The Crying Machine
Flying in a Blue Dream
Surfing with the Alien
Sahara
Tender Surrender
Teeth of the Hydra
Hydra Blues
Satch Boogie
If I Could Fly
For the Love of God
Always with Me, Always with You
Encore
Born to Be Wild
Here are some photos of SATCHVAI Band performing live at Wolf Trap on May 30, 2026. All pictures copyright and courtesy of Steve Satzberg.
