King Crimson
Cobb Energy Center
September 29, 2019
Atlanta, GA
It was a gorgeous Sunday night. It wasn’t humid, the air was starting to feel cool, and there was a buzz about the outside of the Cobb Energy Center. There is a special kind of energy that is generated by a King Crimson audience. On this night, I could feel it heavy in the air as anticipation and excitement grew from the sold-out crowd.
King Crimson took the stage opening with “Hell Hounds of Krim” which brought a huge roar from the audience. Right from the get-go, I knew that this was going to be a magical evening. “Suitable Grounds for the Blues” finally had singer/guitarist Jakko Jakszyk stepping up to the mic, and we were off. Hearing Jakko sing is always a treat for me and one of the things I always look forward to.
This being my 2nd time seeing Crimson, I was more prepared for the roller coaster of emotions that I would experience. This doesn’t mean that I would react any differently. “Cirkus,” “Red,” and “Larks’ Tongues in Aspic (Part IV) all had me on the edge of my seat practically digging my fingernails into the armrests of my chair. “Moonchild” had me closing my eyes and feeling something strongly, but it was “Islands” that was the showstopper for me. I loved hearing this gorgeous song, and it made the hairs on my arm stand up giving me goosebumps.
“Epitaph” was as beautiful as ever and “Starless” had me in tears as Jakko delivered one of the strongest vocal performances I have heard him do to date. His voice is so powerful, and it connects with me on a, dare I say, cosmically emotional level. As always, Robert Fripp was operating the machine from his mainframe of guitar effects like a perched owl while the band played effortlessly making it all look way too easy. At one point, as a musician, I found myself thinking, “I’m doing this all wrong,” making me want to push myself harder to be the best musician I can be.
The three-headed drum beast consisting of Pat Mastelotto, Gavin Harrison, and Jeremy Stacey stole the show. The interplay between the three of them is mezmorizing as they seem to play complex parts individually that come together as one. It is visually stunning. Middle drummer Jeremy Stacey was without a doubt the MVP of the night.
Stacey was pulling double duty for keyboardist Bill Rieflin, and this guy barely had time to breathe. Going back and forth from the complex keyboard arrangements to changing hats and rejoining the drum beast was something to see. I don’t know how the guy did it, but it was very impressive and showed what an integral part of King Crimson he is.
Closing out the show with the one-two punch of “The Court of the Crimson King” and “21st Century Schizoid Man” was mind blowing and pulled the crowd to their feet with one of the loudest standing ovations I have ever heard at a concert.
As I’ve said before, a King Crimson show is no fucking joke. King Crimson is experiencing a long-overdue and much-deserved renaissance and if there was ever a time to see King Crimson, the time is now. Be warned, though, that a King Crimson show comes with side effects. Side effects may include a melting face, tears, laughter, goosebumps, and loss of breath. No need to consult with a doctor before seeing King Crimson live. Trust me, these are all side effects worth having, and they are side effects you will crave over and over again.
About The Author
