Eventim Apollo Hammersmith, London
Monday, 8 June 2026
I think it’s a fair assumption that, when Robert Fripp was putting together the last version of King Crimson, Adrian Belew might have been disappointed not to be involved. Crimson’s numerous tours were hugely successful however, despite only touching on the ‘80s trio of albums in a cursory way. That wasn’t a surprise, as Belew’s DNA was embedded in those records, and to feature those songs more heavily would have been impossible. Anyway, Adrian Belew has eventually responded in the best possible way, by putting together Beat to play that era of tunes, apparently with Fripp’s blessing.
Judging by the sold out show at the Hammersmith Odeon, (yes I know it’s now the Eventim Apollo, but to those of us sufficiently advanced in years, it’ll always be the Hammersmith Odeon), the Discipline era of Crimson’s canon is more revered than I’d thought. It helps that Belew has put together a stellar line up to play these songs. Of course the original bassist Tony Levin was always going to be up for this, and in Beat he is joined by Tool drummer Danny Carey and on second guitar taking Fripp’s place, the amazing Steve Vai. It’s immediately apparent arriving at the venue that it’s a sold out show, not just because it says so, but by the seemingly endless snaking queue winding all around the building. Finding the end in order to join this procession is a task in itself. Once admission is gained, the feeling of anticipation is palpable. It reminds me of the excitement of my earliest gigs, and that was all a long time ago.
As the band walk on stage, they bathe in the warm reception they receive. Then Belew blows a whistle and we are off, with the anarchic Neurotica, the band beaming with enthusiasm. The sound isn’t immediately perfect, but things soon settle down on the classic Neal and Jack and Me, Vai nailing the guitar lines and Belew clearly in his element. Levin and Carey seem to have clicked, and provide the ideal rhythm section for these songs. The catchy Heartbeat follows, another song which couldn’t possibly be performed without Adrian Belew, his vocal style unique and unmistakable.
Levin then steps into the spotlight as he plays the introduction to Sartori in Tangier, his insistent throbbing bass riff leading the way as the rest of the band tear through this wonderful instrumental from Beat. After this opening section of the show, Belew introduces a selection of songs from Three Of A Perfect Pair, saying that many of the songs hadn’t ever been played live, so what follows are some deeper cuts from that album. Dig Me is a particularly idiosyncratic tune, delivered with humour by our front man as the band negotiate its stop-start twists and turns. Industry on the other hand is a simpler construction which really allows the band to stretch out and put their own imprint on the song. Vai and Belew are especially impressive; Vai with his sumptuous symphonic guitar and joyful soloing, and Belew with his guitar effects making sounds which are both playful and downright weird.
The second set, after a short break, sees Danny Carey appear with a small set of drums at the front of the stage. He stands, playing some exploratory rhythms before settling into the intro to Waiting Man, and he is joined by the rest of the band. This Sheltering Sky, a magnificent instrumental from Discipline is next up, and for many is an absolute highlight. The original was a rather ambient soundscape full of atmosphere. The Beat version starts the same way, but is fleshed out into a tour de force, full of wonderful improvisation. Steve Vai’s outrageous solo is simply sublime, and worth the price of the ticket alone. The whole band earn a standing ovation, and rightly so.
The remainder of the show largely comprises fan favourites, like the sing-along Frame By Frame, the achingly lovely Matte Kudasai, and the rollicking Elephant Talk. The chaotic closer is Indiscipline, and both crowd and band are all beaming smiles. An encore is never in doubt, and it is demanded. Red and Thela Hun Ginjeet send us all on our way home on a real high.
Beat have magically recreated the music of a chapter of Crimson history which has been largely ignored for too long. They haven’t just played it faithfully though, they go further, reinterpreting many of the tunes, and making them come alive again. It’s an amazing thing to witness, and given the chance, you’d be a fool to miss them.
And if that wasn’t enough there was a mass sing along of Frame By Frame in the pub after the gig by a still high contingent 🙂
[Photos by Graham Thomas and Roger Trenwith]
SETLIST
– Set 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)
– Set 2 –
Waiting Man
The Sheltering Sky
Sleepless
Frame By Frame
Matte Kudasai
Elephant Talk
Three Of A Perfect Pair
Indiscipline
~ Encore:
Red
Thela Hun Ginjeet
MUSICIANS
Adrian Belew – Vocal, Guitars, Percussion
Steve Vai – Guitars
Tony Levin – Chapman Stick, Bass
Danny Carey – Drums, Percussion
LINKS
Beat – Website | Facebook | YouTube | Instagram
