Uli Jon Roth – Fort Hill PAC, Canandaigua, NY – 05/04/2024

BY THOMAS S. ORWAT, JR.

Canandaigua, NY – Guitar legend Uli Jon Roth and ex-member of the legendary band The Scorpions (1973-78) played an exhilarating show to a small yet fervent assembly of music aficionados last Saturday night at the beautiful Fort Hill PAC. Uli is currently on his North American -Interstellar Sky Guitar World Tour 2024.

This epic 3-hour-plus long evening unfolded in two acts and consisted of music from five different centuries-a true testament to Roth’s virtuosity and diversity.”

The first set was an intimate affair, with Roth alone with his Sky guitar. His renditions of classical masterpieces, including the vibrant Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons,” were nothing short of spectacle. The “Metamorphosis: Cry of the Night” was a visceral experience that left the audience in awe. Each song performed was a testament to Roth’s enduring influence on the neoclassical metal genre and his ability to captivate an audience with his masterful guitar work.

The second set of Uli Jon Roth’s concert was a nostalgic trip back to his earlier days of his career with The Scorpions, which he was a member of from 1972-1978 and also the Electric Sun, which was the band that Uli formed after leaving the Scorpions. Uli was joined by four seasoned musicians for this set that consisted of his daughter Akasha Roth-keyboards, David Klosinski – guitar, Niklas Turmann – bass and lead vocals and Jamie Little-drums.

The highlight of the evening reached a high point with ‘The Sails of Charon,’ a revered classic Scorpions song which showcases Roth’s signature blend of classical influences and rock virtuosity. Interestingly, this song has never been performed live by the Scorpions.

In summary, this concert was not just a performance; it was a shared spiritual experience, a reminder of the enduring power of music to move and inspire. Uli Jon Roth’s show in Canandaigua was a night that will resonate in the memories of those present for years to come.

1st set

Amadeus
Rondo Alla Turca (Mozart cover)
Queen of the Night (Mozart cover)
The Cry
Passage to India
Child of the Thunder Mountain
Le Quattro Stagioni, Concerto No. 1 (I The Spring: April Rain) (Antonio Vivaldi cover)
Le Quattro Stagioni, Concerto No. 4 (IV The Winter : War of the Winds) (Antonio Vivaldi cover)
Metamorphosis: Cry of the Night

2nd set

Electric Sun
Sun in My Hand (Scorpions song)
Land of Dawn
We’ll Burn the Sky (Scorpions song)
In Trance (Scorpions song)
Catch Your Train (Scorpions song)
The Sails of Charon (Scorpions song)