Following their highly successful debut band tour across Europe this past June and July — which saw numerous sold-out shows and glowing praise from fans and press alike — legendary guitar icons Joe Satriani and Steve Vai are bringing their electrifying SATCHVAI Band to the United States for the first time. The “Surfing with the Hydra” 2026 tour includes a stop at Meadow Brook Amphitheatre with special guest Animals as Leaders on Wednesday, May 16, 2026 at 7:30 p.m. Oakland University Credit Union is the exclusive presenting partner of Meadow Brook Amphitheatre.

This new chapter follows a monumental summer that took the newly formed band through major cities including London, Manchester, Paris, Copenhagen, Zurich, and more as well as festivals including Hellfest, Umbria Jazz Festival, and Guitares en Scene Fest, thrilling audiences with the unmatched interplay and energy that only Satriani and Vai can deliver. Now, with a brand-new video and single, “Dancing,” arriving March 2, 2026 via earMUSIC, the guitar greats are ready to bring that same firepower to stages across America.

 

 “The SATCH/VAI 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 Satch/Vai 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 Satriani

 

Steve Vai concurs, "The Satch/Vai 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.

 

Our trusty band—Marco Mendoza holding down the bass with his usual thunder, Pete Thorn weaving in the magic on guitar, and Kenny Aronoff powering the whole thing from behind the kit, we created a musical flying carpet that carried us through the tour.

 

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.”

The band’s forthcoming single “Dancing” marks the latest chapter in SATCHVAI Band’s creative evolution. It follows the duo’s first two releases — the sweeping, cinematic instrumental “The Sea of Emotion, Pt. 1” and the high-octane rocker “I Wanna Play My Guitar,” featuring powerhouse vocals from Glenn Hughes (Deep Purple, Black Country Communion). Together, these tracks have showcased both the emotional depth and unbridled energy that define the SATCHVAI Band sound — a seamless fusion of melody, virtuosity, and the kind of musical chemistry only five decades of friendship can produce.

The SATCHVAI Band marks the first time in their nearly 50-year friendship and musical partnership that Satriani and Vai have formally joined forces as a band. Their collaboration debuted in March 2024 with a duo tour and the release of “The Sea of Emotion, Pt. 1,” a stunning six-minute opus showcasing their extraordinary synergy. A second track, released ahead of the European tour, further fueled anticipation for what has become one of the year’s most celebrated live events.

Rounding out the lineup, powerhouse drummer Kenny Aronoff, renowned bassist Marco Mendoza, and virtuoso guitarist Pete Thorn complete the stellar quintet that is the SATCHVAI Band — a live ensemble built for explosive musicianship and unbridled guitar mastery.

Animals As Leaders, Tosin Abasi said of the tour, “We are beyond honored to be joining Joe Satriani and Steve Vai on tour!  Our band, in many ways, would not be what it was if not for the impact of these two icons. Getting a chance to hit the US with them is a bucket list experience for us. Can’t want to see you all soon!”

What the press is saying about “Surfing with the Hydra” Tour:

“To be able to witness two players with such technique, flair and accuracy is a privilege.” – Fireworks Magazine, 5 stars
 

The sold-out crowd was treated to an electrifying evening of virtuosity, emotion, and musical skill. - Yorkshire Post

“A killer lineup, a killer set and an unforgettable evening.” – Rock N Load

“Tonight was not a concert; it was a life affirming event.” – Metal Planet Music

“The SatchVai Band, an electrifyingly sonic powerhouse currently stunning audiences in the UK and Europe.” – Rock and Blues Muse

About SATCHVAI Band:
Formed in 2024 after decades of friendship and musical intersections, SATCHVAI Band brings together two of the most celebrated guitarists of all time—Joe Satriani and Steve Vai—for an unprecedented collaboration. Rounding out the powerhouse lineup are Kenny Aronoff (drums), Marco Mendoza (bass), and Pete Thorn (guitar), creating a stellar quintet of world-class musicians. More than just a band, SATCHVAI Band is a supercharged fusion of guitar-driven mastery, chemistry, and creative fire.

About Joe Satriani:
For over three decades, the guitar virtuoso has traveled the world, playing to sold-out crowds as both a headliner and as founder of the all-star “G3” guitar extravaganza. Satriani’s studio and live recordings have sold more than 10 million copies worldwide to date and of his many solo albums, two have gone platinum and four others went gold, with 15 Grammy nominations between them. He launched his annual “G4 Experience” in 2014 bringing aspiring guitarists together for four days of workshops, mentor sessions and live performances, providing an exclusive learning platform led by him and his accomplished peers. In 2021, he introduced the "Crystal Planet" comic series, a five-part opus interweaving the realms of music and art. The tour documentary "Beyond the Supernova," directed by ZZ Satriani and currently available for streaming, offers an intimate behind-the-scenes glimpse that intricately chronicles his life, illuminating the profound dedication that fuels his guitar mastery. His side project, Chickenfoot, featuring former Van Halen frontman Sammy Hagar, former bassist Michael Anthony and Red Hot Chili Peppers’ drummer Chad Smith saw their debut album certified gold and their second studio album debuted at #9. Satriani released his 19^th studio album, The Elephants of Mars, in April 2022. It was a busy 2024 for Joe Satriani as he embarked on the highly anticipated G3 Reunion tour alongside the original powerhouse line-up:  Satriani, Eric Johnson and Steve Vai. This was followed by the Satch/Vai duo tour, where the longtime friends not only shared the stage but also unveiled a new musical collaboration together. Rounding out the year, Satriani joined forces with Sammy Hagar, Michael Anthony and Jason Bonham for the Best of All Worlds tour, which sold out arenas nationwide and was met with widespread fan and critical acclaim.

JOE SATRIANI
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About Steve Vai
Steve Vai is a virtuoso guitarist, composer and producer, considered by many as one of the greatest guitarists of all time. In over 45 years in the industry, Vai has sold over 15 million records, received three Grammy Awards, and recorded with music legends like Frank Zappa, David Lee Roth, Whitesnake and many more.  Vai has also toured extensively and recorded live projects with G3 (collaborating with different touring lineups including Joe Satriani, John Petrucci, Eric Johnson, Yngwie Malmsteen, and Steve Lukather) and Generation Axe, a supergroup Vai formed with Zakk Wylde, Yngwie Malmsteen, Nuno Bettencourt and Tosin Abasi. Vai is the author of Vaideology: Basic Music Theory for Guitar Players (Hal Leonard), his inaugural music theory book designed to help both beginners and veteran guitar players.  In the recent past, he has travelled the globe supporting his most recent studio album Inviolate, staging performances in 51 counties across the globe. Over the course of his 43 years touring, he continues to visit locations for the first time. His final excursion in 2023 saw Vai perform in Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam), Kaohsiung (Taiwan), Zallak (Bahrain), Bangalore and Kolkata (India), alongside six new markets in China (Foshan, Xi’an, Chengdu, Chongqing, Nanjing and Hefei).  In 2024, BEAT (Adrian Belew, Tony Levin, Danny Carey, Steve Vai) staged 65 North American appearances. The ensemble will travel to South America for additional performances in 2025.

STEVE VAI
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About Animals As Leaders
Animals As Leaders is an American instrumental progressive metal band formed in Washington, D.C. in 2007 by virtuoso guitarist Tosin Abasi. Joined by Javier Reyes on eight-string guitars and Matt Garstka on drums, the band has redefined the boundaries of metal and progressive music with their innovative compositions and technical mastery. Their sound seamlessly fuses metal, jazz fusion, classical, and electronic elements into a style that defies traditional genre labels.

Since their 2009 self-titled debut—an early landmark of the “djent” movement—the band has continued to push musical limits with albums like Weightless, The Joy of Motion, The Madness of Many, and Parrhesia. Known for their polyrhythmic complexity, harmonic sophistication, and emotionally resonant songwriting, Animals As Leaders has earned critical acclaim and inspired a devoted global following for their groundbreaking approach to instrumental metal.