BEAT brought their 2024 tour to Oklahoma City’s The Criterion this past Friday night for an electric and compelling night celebrating the music of King Crimson.
King Crimson came together in London in 1968, led by Robert Fripp on guitar, and with Michael Giles on drums, percussion and vocals, Peter Giles (soon to be replaced by Greg Lake) on bass and vocals , Ian McDonald on keys and wind instruments, along with lyricist Peter Sinfield. The band remained active (off and on) until Fripps’ retirement in 2021 featuring an often changing line-up featuring an impressive list of players over the years including David Cross, Greg Lake, Bill Buford, John Wetton, Bill Rieflin, Mel Collins, Jakko Jakszyk and of course Adrian Belew and Tony Levin. King Crimson was as influential as they come, laying a groundwork in the early 1970’s that would later spawn the likes of Yes and Genesis with their kinetic workings of classical, jazz, English folk, blues, electronic and experimental musical styles. The band went on to record 13 studio albums, as well as a staggering 23 live releases. The mark they’ve left on progressive rock is undeniable.
An all-star musical lineup if there ever was one, and certainly befitting of the King Crimson legacy, The BEAT tour is comprised of Adrian Belew on guitar, electronics, percussion and vocals, Danny Carey on drums and percussion, Tony Levin on bass and keys and Steve Vai on guitar. Formed in March of 2024, Belew and Levin extended invitations to both Fripp and Bruford, and while declined, both men gave their blessings, with Fripp recommending the groups name, BEAT, after the 1982 King Crimson release of the same name. The band kicked off it’s 21 date tour in California on November 18th and will conclude in just a few more days, back in California on December 18th.
Throughout the tour the band has performed two sets, comprised entirely of songs from the Belew and Levin 1980’s era of King Crimson, highlighting the albums Discipline, Beat and Three of a Different Pair. The band took to the stage individually one by one, starting with Belew, followed by Levin, Vai and finally Carey acknowledging the audience with waves and a bow, before taking their places and launching into “Neurotica” from 1982’s Beat and following with it’s album mates, “Neal and Jack and Me,”“Heartbeat”and “Sartori in Tangier.” The last half of the first set centered around 1984’s Three of a Different Pair, with “Model Man”(the tour being the first ever live performances), “Dig Me,” “Man With an Open Heart,” “Industry,” and a stunning version of “Lark’s Tongues in Aspic (Part III),” that was one of my highlights of the night and concluded the first set.
Following a short intermission, the band returned to deliver, just as Belew promised before the set break, a few songs from King Crimson’s first pair of albums. But first, the band returned to the Beat album, with Carey alone front and center stage on a small percussion kit leading off “Waiting Man.” Belew soon joined him on percussion, switching to guitar and Mellotron as Levin and Vai joined in one by one for a compelling intro highlighting each individual member. 1981’s Discipline‘s “Sheltering Sky” was up next, and at least for me, was the evening’s topper. Vai absolutely shined throughout, with Belew complimenting each and every swell and emotion Vai wrenched from his guitar. “Sleepless” returned briefly to “Three of a Different Pair” allowing Levin and Carey to stretch out their roles, before a return to Discipline’s “Frame By Frame,” “Matte Kudasi,” and “Elephant Talk” then the title cut “Three of a Different Pair” before returning to “Indiscipline.” The lone cut from the first album, “Red” kicked off the encore, before Belew’s signature “Thela Hun Ginjeet” (also from Discipline) wrapped up an outstanding night of music.
Not exactly known as a prog-rock destination, Oklahoma City nevertheless represented well this Friday night. Not a sold out show, but definitely a respectable audience gathered in The Criterion this drizzly night to bask in the court of the Crimson King. It was also a quite diverse group as far as audiences go, with quite a few father and son pairings, which certainly put a smile on my face as I imagine more than a few new KC fans got their introduction from fathers, uncles or that cooler, more musically knowledgeable older friend. It was obvious the band was having a whale of a time with smiles abound. It was also remarkable to watch Levin, an accomplished photographer, casually playing his Chapman stick or bass one handed, while casually photographing his bandmates with the other.
Far from just a cover band type show, or even a tribute. This was rather a living and breathing embodiment of Robert Fripp and the King Crimson legacy and was a show I was keen on attending from the moment it was announced. It was all at once familiar and inspired, and I enjoyed it immensely. While there’s only a couple more dates remaining, the tour’s success obviously leads to optimism and a hope that somehow, some way, the music of King Crimson will continue.
Find tour dates and more information here: https://beat-tour.com
12/13/2024 The Criterion Oklahoma City, OK
Setlist:
1: Neurotica, Neal and Jack and Me, Heartbeat, Sartori in Tangier, Model Man, Dig Me, Man With an Open Heart, Industry, Lark’s Tongues in Aspic (Part III)
2: Waiting Man, Sheltering Sky, Sleepless, Frame By Frame, Matte Kudasi, Elephant Talk, Three of a Different Pair, Indiscipline
E: Red, Thela Hun Ginjeet
