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Steve Vai

Rock

Steve Vai Tickets

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About

Three-time Grammy Award-winning guitarist, producer, songwriter, and composer Steve Vai has spent decades playing solo and in some of the most influential rock groups of the 20th and 21st Centuries. Ranked among the 20 best guitarists of the decade by Guitar World magazine in 2019, Vai has played with rock legends like Frank Zappa, David Lee Roth, Whitesnake and more, and sold more than 15 million records. He has also recorded with a wide range of artists such as Public Image Ltd, Mary J. Blige, Spinal Tap, and Alice Cooper, and toured with live-only acts like G3, Zappa Plays Zappa and the Experience Hendrix tour.

Born in Carle Place, New York, in 1960, Vai began playing guitar as a child and spent his high school years playing in local bands. He attended Berklee College Of Music and worked for Frank Zappa as a transcriptionist. Relocating to Los Angeles, Vai toured with Zappa, who nicknamed Vai "Stunt Guitarist" and "Little Italian Virtuoso," and played on Zappa albums such as 1981's Tinsel Town Rebellion and You Are What You Is, 1982's Ship Arriving Too Late to Save a Drowning Witch, 1983's The Man From Utopia, and 1984's Them or Us and Thing-Fish.

In the mid-'80s, Vai set out on his own, recording two solo albums: 1984's Flex-Able and Flex-Able Leftovers. Also in the 1980s, Vai joined the Van Halen-inspired rock outfit Alcatrazz and made a cameo appearance in the movie Crossroads, where he played the Devil's guitarist. Soon, he landed a gig as the guitarist in David Lee Roth's newly formed solo band and played on the group's 1986 debut album Eat 'Em And Smile. Vai also played on the group's follow-up album, Skyscraper (1988). In 1988, Vai released his own line of guitars via Ibanez: the Jam 777 series.

After Skyscraper, Vai left Roth's band to work on another solo album (Passion And Warfare) and joined Whitesnake, with whom he recorded 1989's Slip Of The Tongue. He also released a seven-string guitar that eventually caught on with late-'90s nu-metal acts like Korn and Limp Bizkit.

In the early '90s, Vai formed a new band, VAI, and hired Devin Townsend on vocals, T.M. Stevens on bass, and Terry Bozzio on drums. The group released one album in 1993 called Sex & Religion. Two years later, he released an all-instrumental EP, Alien Love Secrets. Additional '90s solo projects included 1996's Fire Garden, 1998's Flex-Able Leftovers (a re-release of his out-of-print sophomore solo album with added tracks), and 1999's The Ultra Zone. 

In the early 2000s, Vai released the compilation instrumental album The 7th Song: Enchanting Guitar Melodies - Archives Vol. 1 and a live record, Alive In An Ultra World. In 2001, Vai also released his career-spanning box set: the 10-disc The Secret Jewel Box. In 2002, Vai compiled a series of compositions he'd done for films such as Crossroads and the theme to Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey and put them together on a 40-track collection dubbed The Elusive Light and Sound, Vol. 1.

In 2005, Vai returned after a hiatus with Real Illusions: Reflections and toured with the Metropole Orchestra, releasing a double live album, Sound Theories, Vols. 1 & 2 (2007). In 2010, Vai teamed with the North Netherlands Orchestra, marrying rock compositions with orchestral arrangements. He called the partnership his "Evo Era."

Also in 2010, Vai did a number of televised performances with contemporary artists like Mary J. Blige, Orianthi, Travis Barker, Ron Fair, and Randy Jackson. Two years later, he dropped his eighth studio album, The Story Of Light, which notably featured a duet with Aimee Mann.

In 2015, Vai released a recording of an October 2012 show, Stillness In Motion: Vai Live In L.A. He later released 2016's Modern Primitive, which featured updated material from the 1980s. In 2022, Vai released his 10th studio album, Inviolate, which debuted at No. 1 on the Current Hard Rock Albums chart.

Catch legendary guitar Steve Vai on tour when he comes to a city near you.

Reviews

Rating: 4.8 out of 5 based on 60 reviews
  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Awesome!

    by Alex on 2024-02-08Théùtre Beanfield - Montreal

    Steve is the legend and see him with my own eyes was spectacular! The band is very cool too.

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Absolutely Amazing đŸ€©

    by Jimbo on 2023-08-13

    I knew I was going to hear some of the best guitar life has to offer but what an Amazing bunch of people not just Steve but his entire crew! They are all an intricate piece of the show and they all help Steve and the band pull it together! Not only this but each and every member of the band is so good! I would separate them while I was listening and hear each member contributing to what is in my mind just awesome music you don’t hear anywhere else! I heard people yelling Steve as well as Myself but that embodies the entire band not just Steve Vai, He is such a Gentleman as after the show he addressed us all and waved to everybody making eye contact with us all in the theatre was so personal as he includes us all in his music wrapping his guitar around people and shredding it and not missing a note while he does this on people. What an awesome person! Thank you Steve Vai and Burton Cummings staff! That place is Magic! Thanks for having us!

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Awesome show

    by Lj on 2023-08-13

    Steve Vai is super awesome Glad to have seen one of my all time heroes Hope he comes back to Winnipeg soon

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    A wonderful event, as always!

    by erickp on 2023-08-13

    Last time I saw Steve was in Vancouver around the first G3 tour, over 20 years ago. Man I was glad to see him again, this time in Montreal. I what an amazing night. Steve never fails to deliver the best of him and he did just that, yet again. I feel very privileged to have seen him again, and I wish him many more long years of touring ahead. Yes, Steve Vai for president indeed!! : )

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Awesome concert, small issue with the vanue

    by Andre on 2023-08-13

    Steve is unbelievable, amazing concert, only problem as always is the sound is not the best for front row seats (far left and right seats)

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Mind blowing

    by Goodwinnipegman on 2023-08-13

    The Steve Vai concert was an exposition of the broad abilities of a great guitarist. He was friendly and engaging and superior to how I thought he would be. Wonderful night out with my son. The venue was perfect for this show.

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Easy seat selection and purchasing

    by Dani on 2023-08-11

    Hi it is very easy to select the seats and to purchase tickets. It would be always good to mention when to arrive before the concert starts and if any opening band is playing also or not. Steve Vai is indeed a legend and super guitarist đŸ‘đŸ» Cheers Daniyal

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Otherworldly

    by Mst2112 on 2023-08-11

    My first time at this venue. Long line up but once doors opened in fast. Did not feel crowded or overly packed. Had a great front row balcony seat. Steve Vai was on point and his band has stellar. Staying in time on some extremely complicated music. Steve was engaged with the audience and graciously shared the spot light with his band members. The Beast om drums as he was introduced wore a "Listen To RUSH"t shirt..that made a statement for sure. He said he loved the vibe in Toronto and was so happy to be able to play here. We were so happy he did so. I left the show amazed that so much talent can come from one person. Mst2112.

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    the ultimate rock show Mastered and Delivered

    by palfbags on 2023-08-11

    Steve Vai is incredible. What a professional, what a musician, what a Master. Blown away. Awesome band. Totally entertaining. Loved it.

  • Rating: 5 out of 5

    Vai never disappoints

    by David on 2023-08-11

    Steve Vai was on fire in Toronto. Great venue, the man can play better than ever. High energy show, beautiful music and a killer set list. No doubt will see him again when he returns to Toronto!