The last time King Crimson mounted a tour was in 2008, and I’m sure many people thought that would be the last reunion (and the last hurrah). But founder Robert Fripp has decided to do it at least once again. He has assembled a new King Crimson roster for a group of select U.S. dates this coming September and October, starting in Albany, NY, and finishing in Seattle (be still my beating heart!).
This time, Fripp has assembled three (!) drummers — Gavin Harrison, Bill Rieflin, and Pat Mastelotto — and a bassist-singer (Tony Levin) in what Fripp has called the “front line”. And in the “back line” will be two guitarists (Fripp and Jakko Jakszyk) and a flutist-saxophonist (Mel Collins). This should be… interesting, to say the least.
I would guess that many metalheads still do not know the name King Crimson, though their influence on both prog rock and progressive/experimental metal has been profound. Listening to the album whose cover appears at the top of this post (In the Court of the Crimson King) decades ago was definitely a life-changing experience for me as a fan. I’m not exaggerating. And I can’t wait for this tour.
Tickets go on sale June 6.
Here’s the full list of King Crimson tour dates:
9/9 & 9/10 @ The Egg – Albany, NY
9/12 & 9/13 @ Kimmel Center – Philadelphia, PA
9/15 & 9/16 @ Colonial Theatre – Boston, MA
9/18, 9/19 & 9/20 @ Best Buy Theater – New York, NY
9/23 @ Barrymore Theatre – Madison, WI
9/25 & 9/26 @ The Vic Theatre – Chicago, IL
9/30 & 10/1 @ Orpheum Theatre – Los Angeles, CA
10/3 & 10/4 @ Warfield Theater – San Francisco, CA
10/6 @ Moore Theatre – Seattle, WA
And now here’s the original version of the oft-covered “21st Century Schizoid Man” plus a complete live set from 1982.
16 Responses to “TOURISM: KING CRIMSON MOUNTS A U.S. TOUR”
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I would go to see Gavin Harrison alone, his performance of the last few minutes of Hatesong on the Porcupine Tree live DVDs is one of my favorites. He was part of the 2008 KC lineup with Pat, apparently. Bill is also a familiar to the band, but I recognize his name from KMFDM the most.
Seeing the lineup of drummers alone, I’m seriously debating trying to see this tour now. I’m not extremely familiar with the discography of King Crimson, but being a fan of both Porcupine Tree & Enslaved I have heard about them & their influence on both respective bands.
If you’re into metal and you don’t listen to King Crimson you need to get on this. Check out In the Court of the Crimson King, Larks Tongues in Aspic, Red, Three of a Perfect Pair, Thrak, Vrooom, and the Power to Believe, then just get into the remaining albums. They have some disgustingly heavy stuff in their discography, lightyears ahead of whatever Black Sabbath or whoever were doing at the same time.
Some videos, just because:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4kbkzCdSYw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UNYOTVKpj3Q
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vy3UiXb2uDQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aWN9oqTSs14
HAHA!!! I arrive in Chicago on the 20th. This show’s gonna be awesome during orientation week.
No Atlanta dates. My heart is breaking. I’ve wanted to see them more than any other band forever.
I feel your pain.
Actually I don’t, but I would if I lived in Atlanta.
i’m definitely familiar with King Crimson but i’ve never been a fan. they’re a great band for the style they play but i’ve just never been into it. but for their fans this is awesome news 🙂
The mighty Crim on the mighty NCS blog! Now my day is made.
Sadly Robert Fripp has stated years ago that a US tour pays off, while a European tour doesn’t, so he won’t tour Europe.
I saw that tour in Vancouver with Adrian belew,tony Levin ,bill bruford, and of course Mr.fripp,was a good one ,not my favorite era ,Larks tongues in aspect and starless and bible black are my faves and of course their first album In the court of the Crimson king,definatly original music ,the time with Adrian belew was more like his music,than king crimson
I understand what you mean, but damn, what a line-up that was! I wish I had been able to catch that tour.
“In the Court…” is awesome, but i’ve come to love the Belew era albums even more. “Three of a Perfect Pair”, “Beat”, and “The Power to Believe” are all amazing pieces of music. But i’m considering driving to Cali to see this no matter the lineup! Fripp and Levin are reason enough to make the trip!
Anyone here saw the G3 line-up in 2012 (or maybe 2013)? It consisted of Satriani, Vai and Fripp. Fripp played his ambient minimal music, standing on his usual stool. The Vai fanbois in the audience wanted to kill him. That concert was one of the funniest ever of my life.
Funk, I meant 2003.
This is probably the only concert I can think of that I wouldn’t think twice about paying $90 to go see.
yeah ,I saw that g3 concert also ,fripp didnt quite fit into the lineup but was cool to see him anyways,as awkward as it was ,I remember when they all jammed together ,fripp certainly thru a wrench in their guitar god wankery ….funny stuff ,fripp is very laid back even when he is rocking out ,he might lean forward a bit on his stool or maybe rise a couple inches off his stool when he is really cranking it out ,original musician of great degree!!
Yeah, I thought the same thing! “Show ’em how it’s done, Robert!” I shouted. Also I wondered if they had Fripp’s volume lower than the other two, otherwise… too humiliating… lol!