King Crimson offshoot BEAT have announced a US tour for Fall 2026, for which they’ll be joined by a new member.
The upcoming tour will also expand on the breadth of King Crimson material they’ll be drawing from.
The supergroup was formed by King Crimson alumni Adrian Belew and Tony Levin in early 2024. Steve Vai was recruited to take on the mammoth task of assuming Robert Fripp’s role.
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Since their inception, BEAT have been playing music from the band’s 1980s records with Fripp’s blessing and guidance. But changes are afoot for their next run of shows.
Notably, Danny Carey has been replaced by former Frank Zappa and U.K. sticksman Terry Bozio due to the former’s commitments with Tool.
It’s also been announced that tracks from King Crimson’s 1995 album, Thrak – which featured both Belew and Levin – will make their way into the set.
“We feel this will result in a new experience for our audience,” Belew believes. “We’re very excited to play for you again.”
Previously, the band’s material had focused on Crimson’s 1980s trio of records, Discipline, Beat, and Three Of A Perfect Pair. Vai had been put through the wringer learning some of Fripp’s most physically demanding parts.
They’ve toured across the US, Mexico, South America and Tokyo, and have just completed a tour of 31 European cities. The boss, Fripp, was in attendance in Tallinn, Estonia.
This next chapter means that Vai now has some more learning to do, with Thrak’s more industrial clangor adding a new dimension to their upcoming shows. It also means he gets to share more stages with the “underrated” Belew.
“Being a part of this ensemble is an extraordinary privilege and opportunity to perform some of the most beloved, timeless, and monumental music with truly inspired musicians,” Vai purrs. “This music resonates deeply with me.
“Father Robert Fripp is one of our historical geniuses. His highly specific and exceptionally brilliant guitar technique is studied and revered.”
Speaking to Guitar World previously, BEAT’s virtuosic guitar tandem assured fans that they don’t see themselves as the new King Crimson, but they do believe there’s a good degree of legitimacy to their performances.
Given that King Crimson remains quiet despite rumors of a new album, they’re filling an important void.
Tickets go on sale Friday, August 7 at 10 AM local time.
See BEAT for more.
Tour Dates
- 10/09 Santa Cruz, CA – Quarry Amphitheater
- 10/10 Napa, CA – Blue Note Napa Summer Sessions at Meritage Resort
- 10/11 San Diego, CA – Civic Theatre
- 10/13 Las Vegas, NV – Theater at Virgin Hotel
- 10/14 Phoenix, AZ – Celebrity Theatre
- 10/16 Denver, CO – Bellco Theatre
- 10/17 Omaha, NE – Orpheum Theater
- 10/18 Waukee, IA – Vibrant Music Hall
- 10/19 Milwaukee, WI – The Riverside Theater
- 10/21 Chicago, IL – Copernicus Center
- 10/22 Madison, WI – Orpheum Theater
- 10/23 Saint Charles, MO – The Family Arena
- 10/24 Prior Lake, MN – Mystic Lake Casino Showroom
- 10/26 Cincinnati, OH – Taft Theatre
- 10/28 Columbus, OH – Palace Theatre
- 10/29 Detroit, MI – Masonic Temple Theatre
- 10/30 Cleveland, OH – Agora Theatre
- 11/01 Toronto, ON – The Theatre at Great Canadian Toronto
- 11/02 Montreal, QC – Theatre St-Denis
- 11/04 Huntington, NY – The Paramount
- 11/05 Uncasville, CT – Mohegan Sun Arena
- 11/06 Boston, MA – Boch Center Wang Theatre
- 11/07 Hampton Beach, NH – Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom
- 11/09 Newark, NJ – Prudential Hall at NJPAC
- 11/10 Washington, DC – MGM National Harbor
- 11/11 Rochester, NY – Kodak Center
- 11/13 Virginia Beach, VA – Sandler Center
- 11/14 Reading, PA – Santander Performing Arts Center
- 11/15 Philadelphia, PA – Academy of Music
- 11/17 Durham, NC – DPAC
- 11/18 Nashville, TN – Grand Ole Opry House
- 11/21 Charlotte, NC – Ovens Auditorium
- 11/22 Daytona Beach, FL – Peabody Auditorium
- 11/24 St. Petersburg, FL – Mahaffey Theater
- 11/25 Atlanta, GA – Cobb Energy Center
- 11/28 Houston, TX – 713 Music Hall
- 11/29 Austin, TX – ACL Live
- 11/30 Dallas, TX – Music Hall at Fair Park
- 12/02 Inglewood, CA – YouTube Theater
- 12/03 Riverside, CA – Riverside Municipal Auditorium
