THE SATCH VAI BAND REFLECTS ON THE 2026 NORTH AMERICAN TOUR

Joe Satriani & Steve Vai
w/ Kenny Aronoff, Marco Mendoza, Pete Thorn

Photos by jon r. luini (Chime Interactive), Ron Dacks, RockDoc, Rob Cella, Mike Bradley, Rich Kessler, Matt Martinez, & Travis Failey
< click photos to view full size >
~ Joe Satriani ~
“Storming the stage with Kenny, Marco and Pete every night was a dream come true and playing with Steve was like traveling back in time to when we were kids rocking out and improvising like our lives depended on it. I would like to thank our fans in North America, the UK and Europe for being the best fans ever and coming out to see these very special performances.”
~ Steve Vai ~
"The Satch/Vai tour was a truly extraordinary experience for me. Joe and I kicked off our guitar appreciation friendship nearly 54 years ago, and the fact that we both went on to build careers in music, then finally found ourselves recording together and creating a one-band guitar extravaganza, feels nothing short of miraculous.

Sharing the stage each night with Joe, Kenny, Pete, and Marco was a gift. These are not only world-class musicians, they're beautiful people, and together they created an atmosphere that made every show feel like a celebration rather than a job.

But the real magic came from all of you. The audiences brought such enthusiasm, generosity, and spirit to every performance. Looking out into a sea of smiling faces, air guitars, raised hands, and the occasional expression that suggested someone had just seen a UFO made each night unforgettable.

There's something deeply moving about seeing people come together to celebrate music. We felt your energy from the first note to the last, and it carried us through the entire tour.

My heartfelt thanks to everyone who came out, sang along, cheered, laughed, and shared these evenings with us. What we experienced together was far more than a series of concerts. It felt like a gathering of old friends celebrating a lifetime love affair with music.

Thank you for making this tour one for the books. My heart is full, my fingers are tired, and my gratitude runs deep."

~ Kenny Aronoff ~
(aka “The Dancing Janitor")
"The SatchVai Tour in Europe and the USA was extraordinary on so many levels... This was one of the greatest bands I have ever performed with! The music, the musicianship, the friendship on and off the stage, the audiences, the crew and everyone else who contributed …Thank You! This was Teamwork at the highest level. The setlist was brilliant as it moved between the amazing songs written by Joe Satriani and Steve Vai. It felt like a superbowl team, where Pete, Marco, Steve, Joe and I created this phenomenal, powerful experience night after night.

We connected, communicated and collaborated every night with smiles on our faces and we saw those smiles reflected in the audiences also."

~ Marco Mendoza ~
"I have to say that the SURFING with THE HYDRA tour in Europe and the U S with Joe , Steve , kenny and Pete has Been A Highlight of my career ..

 Starting of with Guitar Playing at the highest level , Trailblazers of the Guitar World ,the Compositions the Music , sharing the stage With Masters of their skills , Playing along side one of the Greatest drummers around and Pete killin' it every night Brought me tons of pleasure as a Bass player and Musician , it just doesn't get better than that ...on and off stage i got to hang with some of the coolest people as well ... on top of that the fans where mind blowing and So dedicated to Joes and Steves Music that it was a joy to watch..."

~ Pete Thorn ~
"This tour was nothing less than what once seemed like an impossible childhood dream, coming to full fruition. Who would think that a kid from Edmonton, Canada that grew up profoundly affected and influenced by Joe and Steve's musicianship and impact on the guitar community, could one day end up sharing the stage with them? I'm still processing that it actually happened. Sharing the stage with Joe, Steve, Kenny, and Marco was pure bliss, an honor, and I will never forget the camaraderie, all that I learned, and all the laughs and smiles along the way. My heart is full, and I am a lucky guy! Extra special thanks to all the fans, you were wonderful!"


SATCHVAI BAND - Surfing With The Hydra 2026 Tour - Featuring Joe Satriani & Steve Vai and special guest Animals as Leaders
NEW SINGLE "DANCING" MAR 02 2026
Music Video | Stream Now | More Info

SATCHVAI BAND ANNOUNCE FIRST-EVER U.S. TOUR FOLLOWING TRIUMPHANT EUROPEAN RUN

Special Guests Animals As Leaders on all dates
40 Shows Across North America April - May 2026

On the Surfing With The Hydra Tour, fans can expect a full-band, high-energy performance that delivers a complete rock experience. Satriani and Vai will debut new material from the forthcoming SATCHVAI Band album alongside beloved classics from each of their respective catalogs, as well as a selection of iconic covers. It’s a true band experience — dynamic, expansive, and curated to celebrate both their shared history and fearless musical creativity and evolution. The SATCHVAI Band sound is a seamless fusion of melody, virtuosity, and unbridled energy - the kind of musical chemistry only five decades of friendship can produce.

⬇⬇⬇ JUMP TO TOUR DATES ⬇⬇⬇

“The SATCHVAI Band rides again! After a fantastic European tour last summer Steve, Kenny, Marco, Pete and I will bring the Surfing With The Hydra Tour to the US. We can’t wait to play you the new material from our forthcoming SatchVai album along with your favorite songs from our shared catalog. And that’s not all, we’re bringing along the incomparable Animals As Leaders. You do not want to miss this show with this lineup!” – Joe
"The SatchVai Band summer Euro tour of 2025 far exceeded anything I could have imagined. Joe and I struck pure jammin’ gold night after night. Being in the same band with Joe, playing songs we actually wrote together on stage, in real time felt like watching a childhood fantasy step out of my teenage brain and stroll onto the stage. And somehow, it was even more rewarding, satisfying, and downright fulfilling than I ever thought possible.

And to all the fans who came out and supported the show: massive thanks. Your energy and enthusiasm made the room pulse, and inspired us all beyond beyond. We are looking forward to steamroll this train into your city on our 2026 spring North America tour.” - Steve

SATCHVAI BAND 2026 Tour
JOE SATRIANI AND STEVE VAI w/ Kenny ARONOFF • Marco MENDOZA • Pete THORN
with Special Guest ANIMALS AS LEADERS

SATCHVAI BAND VIP PACKAGE DESCRIPTION

Apr 01, 2026
Seattle, WA
Paramount Theater w/ Animals as Leaders
Apr 02, 2026
Portland, OR
Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall w/ Animals as Leaders
Apr 04, 2026
Oakland, CA
Fox Theater w/ Animals as Leaders
Apr 05, 2026
Reno, NV
Grand Sierra Resort and Casino w/ Animals as Leaders
Apr 07, 2026
Long Beach, CA
Long Beach Terrace Theater w/ Animals as Leaders
Apr 08, 2026
San Diego, CA
CalCoast Credit Union Open Air Theatre w/ Animals as Leaders
Apr 10, 2026
Mesa, AZ
Mesa Amphitheatre w/ Animals as Leaders
Apr 11, 2026
Las Vegas, NV
The Theater at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas w/ Animals as Leaders
Apr 14, 2026
Denver, CO
Mission Ballroom w/ Animals as Leaders
Apr 16, 2026
Houston, TX
713 Music Hall w/ Animals as Leaders
Apr 17, 2026
Dallas, TX
Music Hall at Fair Park w/ Animals as Leaders
Apr 18, 2026
Austin, TX
ACL Live at The Moody Theater w/ Animals as Leaders
Apr 20, 2026
Mobile, AL
Saenger Theatre w/ Animals as Leaders
Apr 22, 2026
Pompano Beach, FL
Pompano Beach Amphitheater w/ Animals as Leaders
Apr 24, 2026
Clearwater, FL
The BayCare Sound w/ Animals as Leaders
Apr 25, 2026
St. Augustine, FL
Saint Augustine Amphitheatre w/ Animals as Leaders
Apr 26, 2026
Orlando, FL
Hard Rock Live Orlando w/ Animals as Leaders
Apr 27, 2026
Atlanta, GA
Atlanta Symphony Hall w/ Animals as Leaders
Apr 29, 2026
Charlotte, NC
Ovens Auditorium w/ Animals as Leaders
Apr 30, 2026
Durham, NC
Durham Performing Arts Center w/ Animals as Leaders
May 02, 2026
Minneapolis, MN
State Theatre w/ Animals as Leaders
May 03, 2026
Chicago, IL
Chicago Theatre w/ Animals as Leaders
May 05, 2026
Milwaukee, WI
Riverside Theatre w/ Animals as Leaders
May 07, 2026
Nashville, TN
Ryman Auditorium w/ Animals as Leaders
May 08, 2026
Cincinnati, OH
PNC Pavilion at Riverbend Music Center w/ Animals as Leaders
May 09, 2026
Indianapolis, IN
Everwise Amphitheater at White River State Park w/ Animals as Leaders
May 10, 2026
St. Louis, MO
The Factory w/ Animals as Leaders
May 12, 2026
Buffalo, NY
Kleinhans Music Hall w/ Animals as Leaders
May 13, 2026
Toronto, ON CA
Meridian Hall w/ Animals as Leaders
May 15, 2026
Northfield, OH
Northfield Park Racino w/ Animals as Leaders
May 16, 2026
Rochester Hills, MI
Meadow Brook Ampitheatre w/ Animals as Leaders
May 17, 2026
Syracuse, NY
Landmark Theatre w/ Animals as Leaders
May 20, 2026
Boston, MA
Leader Bank Pavilion w/ Animals as Leaders
May 21, 2026
Albany, NY
Palace Theatre w/ Animals as Leaders
May 22, 2026
Waterbury, CT
Waterbury Palace Theater w/ Animals as Leaders
May 23, 2026
Virginia Beach, VA
The Dome by Rutter Mills w/ Animals as Leaders
May 27, 2026
Reading, PA
Santander Performing Arts Center w/ Animals as Leaders
May 28, 2026
New York, NY
Beacon Theatre w/ Animals as Leaders
May 29, 2026
Atlantic City, NJ
Borgata Resort and Spa Casino w/ Animals as Leaders
May 30, 2026
Vienna, VA
Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts w/ Animals as Leaders