Prog rock supergroup Beat play ’80s King Crimson at F.M. Kirby Center in Wilkes-Barre on Dec. 4
From a press release:
Former King Crimson members Adrian Belew and Tony Levin have banded together with guitar virtuoso Steve Vai and explosive Tool drummer Danny Carey for the first time to create Beat, a creative reinterpretation of the three iconic King Crimson albums from the 1980s – “Discipline,” “Beat,” and “Three of a Perfect Pair.”
From the moment Beat went on sale, tickets to see the progressive rock supergroup flew out of box offices across North America.
“Due to overwhelming demand, Adrian, Steve, Tony, and Danny have decided to extend the Beat tour with an additional 21 shows in order to perform these incredible King Crimson albums for even more fans. We are adding many additional cities alongside second and even third appearances in various regions. 65 dates in total! The audience has spoken loudly, so Beat is responding in kind,” shared tour producer Angelo “Scrote” Bundini.
It was announced today that one of those dates is Wednesday, Dec. 4 at the F.M. Kirby Center (71 Public Square, Wilkes-Barre). Doors open at 7 p.m., and the show starts at 8 p.m.
Tickets, which are $69.50, $79.50, $89.50, $99.50, $124.50, and $149.50, plus applicable fees, go on sale this Friday, June 28 at 10 a.m. at the Kirby Center box office during regular business hours (Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.), online at kirbycenter.org and ticketmaster.com, and by phone at 570-826-1100. A Kirby Member pre-sale begins today at 2 p.m.
Guitarist Adrian Belew said, “The 1981 through 1984 King Crimson created a music all its own. Timeless. Beautiful. Complex. Fierce. For the fans who lived through it then, and the ones who never got to witness it, our aim is to bring it to life again. A monumental task but we’re going for it! There are not enough exclamation points to express my excitement!”
“Being a part of this ensemble is an extraordinary privilege and opportunity to perform some of the most beloved, timeless, and monumental music of the ’80s (and beyond) with truly inspired musicians. This music resonates deeply with me. Adrian, Tony, and Danny are unique musicians with an otherworldly insight into presenting rich musical complexities in a very accessible way, and I am looking forward to searching each other’s musical minds in real time on stage. I’m sure sparks will fly,” guitarist Steve Vai stated.
“Father Robert Fripp is one of our historical geniuses. His highly specific and exceptionally brilliant guitar technique is studied and revered. His contribution to the quality of my musical life, and so many others, is supreme. I can assure the fans of KC that I will be putting my best foot forward to respect this great music with the care and intensity it deserves. Did I say, ‘Sparks will fly?’”
“This is going to be quite a tour. Revisiting some of my favorite music is a treat in itself, but in company of this stellar lineup, I expect to have my musical butt kicked! And it’s also great that we’re not just playing a few shows – we’re hitting it hard. So, road dogs are coming to your area soon,” bassist Tony Levin added.
“I am very excited to share the stage with three of my favorite musicians on the planet. Tony, Steve, and Adrian have always been a source of inspiration for me since the beginning of my career, and now to be able to share a bit of my musical journey with them is a dream come true. There’s nothing better to make some sparks fly and light a fire under your ass than getting out of your musical comfort zone, and I can’t think of any other three guys I’d rather do this with. I think I can speak for all of us when I say I hope all of our fans are as excited as we are about this tour,” drummer Danny Carey left off.
The vision for this undertaking emanated from initial dialogue between Bundini and Belew.
“When Adrian called me to help bring his idea to fruition, I immediately thought it best to focus on the ’80s albums – ‘Discipline,’ ‘Beat,’ and ‘Three of a Perfect Pair.’ These three records famously marked Adrian and Tony’s entry into King Crimson. Their fluid, melodic virtuosity, and Fripp’s and Bruford’s dramatic precision, created a totally unique, dynamic push and pull that would influence nearly every rock musician and/or band going forward for years, if not decades, to come,” Bundini recalled.
Both a meet and greet and a VIP tour package are available for purchase. The M&G includes one premium ticket in the first five rows, early entry, pre-show meet and greet, personal photograph captured, limited edition autographed poster, Beat challenge coin, tote bag, an exclusive merch item, and an official laminate and lanyard. There is limited availability, with pricing set at $200. For the VIP tour package, buyers will receive one premium reserved seat in the first 15 rows, a limited edition Beat tour poster autographed, the challenge coin, an exclusive tour merch item, and a commemorative laminate and lanyard. Availability is limited at $100. For all new appearances announced today, a third VIP option has been made available. For $300, fans will receive the complete package detailed above, with front row seating guaranteed.
The F.M. Kirby Center is a historic Art Deco/Moderne-style performing arts center located in downtown Wilkes-Barre. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.
