Debarup MukherjeeFor a city that breathes art but often gets skipped on international tour routings, December 9, 2023, wasn’t just a Saturday—it was a vindication. The City of Joy finally played host to the alien virtuoso himself, Steve Vai, marking the grand finale of his Inviolate India Tour.
If you were at the JW Marriott Grand Ballroom that night, you witnessed something that transcended a typical rock concert. It was a masterclass in spiritual musicality.
The Venue: Ballroom Blitz
Kolkata is used to sweating it out in open-air grounds or dusty auditoriums, so the choice of the JW Marriott Grand Ballroom felt distinct—almost regal. While some might argue a ballroom dampens the grit of a rock show, for Vai, it was perfect. The acoustics were pristine, allowing every nuance of his tone—from the whisper-quiet bends to the screaming harmonics—to cut through the air with surgical precision.
The Arrival of the Hydra
The buzz in the room wasn’t just about seeing Vai; it was about seeing the beast. When the three-necked “Hydra” guitar made its appearance for “Teeth of the Hydra,” the collective gasp in the room was audible. Watching Vai navigate the 7-string, 12-string, and 4-string bass necks simultaneously wasn’t just impressive; it was like watching a magician who had actually learned real magic.
Setlist Highlights
The set was a carefully curated journey through his career, balancing the new Inviolate material with the sacred texts of instrumental rock:
“Teeth of the Hydra”: The technical spectacle of the night.
“Zeus in Chains”: Heavy, groovy, and undeniably Vai.
“For the Love of God”: The encore that everyone was waiting for. Hearing that opening melody live in Kolkata felt like a collective catharsis for the hundreds of guitar geeks in the audience.
“Tender Surrender”: Played with such fluidity it felt less like a song and more like a conversation.
Steve Vai didn’t just “play” in Kolkata; he connected. He spoke to the crowd with a warmth that betrayed his alien persona, acknowledging the city’s rich cultural history. For the fans at Callingallgigs, this was a reminder that guitar music isn’t about how many notes you play, but how much emotion you can pack into them.
Kolkata waits for no one, but for Steve Vai, we’d wait a lifetime again.
Watch the Full Concert Experience
For those who couldn’t secure a ticket or simply want to relive the transcendence, this extensive footage captures nearly 40 minutes of the magic at the JW Marriott. From the technical wizardry of the Hydra to the soaring emotional peaks of the encore, this is the closest you can get to being back in the ballroom.