King Crimson unleashed Court of Crimson King at the Greek Theatre

United Kingdom’s legendary Progressive Rock group, King Crimson headlined Los Angeles’ Greek Theatre during their North American tour along with The Zappa Band and California Guitar Trio. This event was one of the first major concerts to take place post-pandemic in Los Angeles, California. This was evident as cars lined up in the neighborhood of Los Feliz to enter Griffith Park as the entourages of vehicles made their way towards the venue. Near capacity, thrilled fans piled into the iconic Greek Theatre, as they went through security, to experience the concert of a lifetime, which from appearances added to the mythological cult following of King Crimson. Considered to be one of the founding fathers of the Progressive Rock movement, King Crimson, have influenced many musicians and artists to experiment and take risks with their art form.

A Frank Zappa cover band known as The Zappa Band opened for headliners, King Crimson. They paid tribute to the work of Experimental composer and singer-songwriter, Frank Zappa, and his psychedelic project: the Mothers of Invention. The band features several members of Frank Zappa’s original band such as Mike Keneally, Scott Thunes, Ray White, and Robert Martin. The band performed an array of tracks from Zappa’s discography such as ‘Zomby Woof,’ ‘Village of the Sun,’ ‘City of Tiny Lites’ and more. The enthralled audience was delighted by the classic experimental tracks that encompassed a combination of psychedelic sounds, animal noises, and heavy instrumentals. The Zappa Band is currently on tour with King Crimson and will be performing throughout cities in the United States.

After a brief intermission, the curtains opened for King Crimson and the audience was astonished by the complex stage layout. The main stage was layered on the two levels featuring three front row drum sets for percussion and four risen stages for the bass, guitar, flutes, and keyboards. The audience marveled during the drum solos performed by King Crimson’s drummers: Pat Mastelotto, Gavin Harrison, and Jeremy Stacey. The drummers performed promptly and skillfully throughout the transition of songs to drum solos. They complimented their individual and collaborative drum skills. They playfully alternated from hitting their own individual cymbal which brought glee and laughter to the audience.

The musicians supported their fellow drummer with completing each musical piece of the song. The overall stage layout and lighting set the tone of the performance. The Greek Theatre seating enveloped the stage and the musicians appeared livelier and larger than ever. A dark shade of maroon overshadowed the stage during the concert finale which played with the viewer’s perception as the intense volume creeped louder to achieve an exciting crescendo.

King Crimson’s founder, guitarist, and composer, Robert Fripp, set the ambience of the live performance. He orchestrated his band mates by adding his masterful guitar and keyboard techniques. Fripp is recognized for his creativity and devotion to entertainment from King Crimson’s live performances to his side project with his wife, Tonya Wilcoxx. Their fun-loving side project is known as ‘Tonya & Robert’s Sunday Lunch,’ where the duo perform covers of various popular songs. Aside from his main project with King Crimson, Fripp’s solo album, ‘Exposure’ was released in 1979 and is attributed to the Avant-Garde Punk Rock scene.

Recognized for his renowned work in the music industry, Fripp has been featured in Rolling Stone magazine's ‘100 Greatest Guitarist of All Time’ twice. Fripp has also collaborated with iconic artists such as Blondie, Brian Eno, David Bowie, the Talking Heads, Peter Gabriel, Daryl Hall of Hall and Oates and others.

The audience cheered as Tony Levin introduced his Chapman Stick, which features guitar and bass strings. Usually strumming on the bass, Levin, is the ideal controller for the stage. He has an appearance of a wise omniscient musician overlooking the orchestra as he sits during the drum solos and places his bass aside to observe the individual performances of his bandmates. A longstanding band member of King Crimson, Tony Levin, has been part of the group since 1981. He has collaborated with notary artists such as David Bowie, Lou Reed, Carly Simon, Ringo Starr, Warren Zevon, John Lennon, Paul Simon and others.

Levin also has a side project, ‘Stick Man,’ with King Crimson’s drummer, Pat Mastelotto. Like his bandmate, Fripp, Levon is also featured on Rolling Stone magazine and is highlighted as ‘One of the Greatest Rock and Roll Bass Players of All Time.”

Along with hefty percussion and synthesizers, Mel Collins adds a classical touch to the live performances with his melodic saxophone solo performances.

King Crimson ended their lengthy live set with the lulling performance of ‘Starless.’ The group performed various tracks from their early Progressive Rock albums. They mixed drum and guitar solos into their set to highlight the showmanship and talents of the band. King Crimson performed tracks such as ‘Drumsons,’ ‘Pictures of a City,’ ‘Epitaph,’ ‘Red,’ ‘Indiscipline,’ ‘Islands,’ ‘Tony Cadenza's Poetic Pizza,’ ‘Radical Action II, and ‘Level Five.’ Once the concert had ended, the band members briefly left the stage to setup for their final encore and ended the show with a high note. They surprised audiences by leaving the best for last and performed one of their most popular tracks, ‘21st Century Schizoid Man.’

King Crimson’s ‘21st Century Schizoid Man’ has been sampled on Kayne West’s acclaimed track, ‘POWER.’

During the pandemic, Robert Fripp and his wife, Toyah Wilcoxx, began a YouTube series: ‘Toyah & Robert’s Sunday Lunch.’ Fripp’s talented wife, Toyah is the bright light and shining star of the YouTube segment. She sings, dances, acts, dresses up with her joyful upbeat and playful attitude. Robert Fripp provides the stage, their kitchen, for Wilcoxx to captivate audiences and sits on the sidelines performing his instruments. The duo perform various well known covers and add their own twist by dressing up or acting during their song performances.

Viewers jest that this segment is the couples’ private foreplay displayed on the internet for world wide audiences to watch. However, regardless of viewers’ opinions, the video series is highly entertaining and addictive. In their latest episode, the duo send each other long distance love letters through videos while they are away on tour. Wilcoxx performs the track ‘I Touch Myself’ and serenates her husband, Robert Fripp, who gawks noticeably during her vivid performance as she vibrantly sings while on her exercise bike.

To watch additional segments of Toyah & Robert’s Sunday Lunch series, visit Toyah’s YouTube channel here.

For more information on King Crimson’s tour visit: www.dgmlive.com. For upcoming events at the Greek Theatre, visit: www.dgmlive.com

Coverage by Veronica Potes // Instagram: @veropoteart

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