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| Geoff Tate @ the Ritz (Photo: Kevin Keating) |
Geoff Tate descended upon The Ritz in San Jose like a musical phoenix, his voice a searing force that scorched the souls of the enraptured crowd -- and has done so since the start of his career in the early '80s. On this past Thursday night, the former Queensrÿche frontman wove a spellbinding tapestry of sound, and commanded the stage with the presence of the metal vocal titan that he continues to be.
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| Geoff Tate @ the Ritz (Photo: Kevin Keating) |
Tate's vocals danced with otherworldly agility, effortlessly scaling the lofty peaks and plunging into the cavernous depths of his repertoire -- you'd never know that Geoff is 65! From the soaring heights of the opening song "Empire" to the gritty grooves of "Jet City Woman," his pipes bent the very fabric of reality, leaving the nearly sold out audience captivated throughout.
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| Geoff Tate @ the Ritz (Photo: Kevin Keating) |
The setlist unfolded like a grand odyssey, a meticulously curated journey through Queensrÿche's hallowed halls and even included Pink Floyd's "Welcome to the Machine". Each song was a jewel in a crown of musical excellence. The band, made up of a collection of artists from Italy, Ireland, Scotland, France and the US, was a well-oiled machine propelling the night's sonic voyage and proving themselves and standout replacements for the original Queensrÿche line-up.
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| James Brown, Jack Ross, and Dario Parente @ the Ritz (Photo: Kevin Keating) |
When Tate unleashed the haunting strains of "Silent Lucidity," a hush fell over the crowd, their hearts held captive by his ethereal croon. The guitar solo that followed was a siren's call, luring the spellbound masses deeper into the performance's mesmerizing embrace.
Between the thunderous anthems, Tate regaled his devoted flock with tales and anecdotes, his affable charm casting a warm glow over the evening's proceedings. At one point noting how he'd only spent 20 days at home last year. His passion for music and the strength of his voice was a palpable force, a fire that burned brighter with every note and ignited the souls of all who were there to witness.
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| Geoff Tate @ the Ritz (Photo: Kevin Keating) |
As the final notes faded into the night, it was clear that Geoff Tate had once again proven himself to be the true embodiment and torchbearer for the Queensrÿche catalog. The expansive selection of songs from across three decades of music were still resonant today as they were when they were released. Geoff's shows are always must-sees and this night at the Ritz proved no different.
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| Fire & Water @ the Ritz (Photo: Kevin Keating) |
I'd be remiss not to mention the opening band, an indie Irish three-piece called Fire & Water. Comprised of the husband-wife duo of Tomás McCarthy (lead vocals & guitar), Clódagh Kearney (vocals & saxophone), and Steve Manning Jr. (guitar & percussion), the trio easily won the crowd over in no time and played an incredible opening 45-minute set. Geoff hand-picked the three to join this tour and it was obvious the reason why. Check them out and join their Patreon here to support the recording of their next album.
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| Fire & Water @ the Ritz (Photo: Kevin Keating) |
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