Rock and metal audiences are gearing up for an instrumental guitar spectacle as Joe Satriani and Steve Vai prepare to bring their collaborative project the SATCHVAI Band to North American stages in spring 2026.
The announcement marks the first full United States and Canada trek for the duo following a triumphant European run that saw critics and fans alike celebrate the pair’s musical chemistry.
Satriani and Vai have been iconic figures in the instrumental rock world for decades. Their friendship and musical partnership span more than fifty years and have previously overlapped on the classic G3 tours pioneered by Satriani.
On those earlier excursions the two guitarists shared the stage alongside other virtuosic peers and helped define instrumental rock for generations of players and listeners.
The 2026 leg titled the Surfing With The Hydra Tour will kick off on April 1 in Seattle and run through May 30 in Vienna Virginia. The set list is expected to blend fresh material from the forthcoming SATCHVAI album with crowd favorites from their respective back catalogues.
The run is a continuation of momentum built during the 2025 European shows where audiences responded enthusiastically to the live interplay between the two guitar legends.
Support for the full 40 city tour will come from the instrumental prog metal band Animals as Leaders on all dates. The inclusion of Animals as Leaders signals a nod toward heavier and more technical audiences even as Satriani and Vai’s instrumental approach straddles rock and metal sensibilities.
Both guitarists have spoken publicly about the unique nature of the SATCHVAI project. Satriani said that the band is ready to ride again after a fantastic European tour and that they look forward to debuting new music alongside beloved compositions from their shared history.
Vai added that playing in the same band with Satriani fulfilled a long held artistic dream for him and that the creative chemistry was rewarding beyond expectations.
The SATCHVAI Band lineup is rounded out by veteran musicians including Kenny Aronoff on drums Marco Mendoza on bass and Pete Thorn on guitar. This seasoned ensemble adds rhythmic depth and stage presence to the duo’s trademark dual lead guitar approach.
Tour stops will cover major markets across the United States and Canada including early season dates in Portland Oakland and San Diego before moving through Denver Houston Dallas and on toward the east coast with shows in Nashville and New York City.
Festival venues and theaters are included across the itinerary providing a mix of intimate and high energy settings.
In addition to the tour the band has teased new music with a single titled Dancing set for release on March 2 2026 ahead of the full album due later in the year.
This marks a rare studio collaboration between Satriani and Vai and promises to expand their creative footprint beyond live performance.
Fans on social media and guitar forums have reacted with excitement and speculation about set lists and potential guest appearances. Many long time followers are celebrating the return of two of the most influential guitarists in rock history performing together after nearly half a century of friendship and shared stages.
This tour arrives at a moment when both guitarists continue to be highly active in their own right. Satriani recently released new solo work and has been involved with various collaborative projects.
Vai remains a perennial figure in guitar culture and continues to explore innovative musical avenues. Their partnership synthesizes those individual strengths into a live experience that appeals to both classic rock audiences and fans of progressive instrumental music.
For fans of guitar driven rock and metal the 2026 SATCHVAI North American tour represents a rare opportunity to witness two virtuoso artists not only perform beloved material but also present new collaborative work.
Surfing With The Hydra Tour 2026 Duration
- Runs from April 2026 to May 2026
- Covers a total of 40 shows across the United States and Canada
Surfing With The Hydra Tour 2026 Opening Act: Animals as Leaders supports every show on the tour
Surfing With The Hydra Tour 2026 Band Lineup
- Joe Satriani
- Steve Vai
- Kenny Aronoff on drums
- Marco Mendoza on bass
- Pete Thorn on guitar
Surfing With The Hydra Tour 2026 Ticket Sales
- Presales begin December 10 and 11 2025
- General on sale begins December 12 2025
Surfing With The Hydra Tour 2026 Tour Start and End
- Opens April 1 in Seattle Washington at the Paramount Theatre
- Concludes May 30 in Vienna Virginia at Wolf Trap
Surfing With The Hydra Tour April 2026 Dates
- 1 April – Seattle WA at Paramount Theatre w/ Animals as Leaders
- 2 April – Portland OR at Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall w/ Animals as Leaders
- 4 April – Oakland CA at Fox Theater w/ Animals as Leaders
- 5 April – Reno NV at Grand Sierra Resort and Casino w/ Animals as Leaders
- 7 April – Long Beach CA at Long Beach Terrace Theater w/ Animals as Leaders
- 8 April – San Diego CA at Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre w/ Animals as Leaders
- 10 April – Mesa AZ at Mesa Amphitheatre w/ Animals as Leaders
- 11 April – Las Vegas NV at The Theater at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas w/ Animals as Leaders
- 14 April – Denver CO at Mission Ballroom w/ Animals as Leaders
- 16 April – Houston TX at 713 Music Hall w/ Animals as Leaders
- 17 April – Dallas TX at Music Hall at Fair Park w/ Animals as Leaders
- 18 April – Austin TX at ACL Live at The Moody Theater w/ Animals as Leaders
- 20 April – Mobile AL at Saenger Theatre w/ Animals as Leaders
- 22 April – Pompano Beach FL at Pompano Beach Amphitheater w/ Animals as Leaders
- 24 April – Clearwater FL at BayCare Sound w/ Animals as Leaders
- 25 April – St Augustine FL at St Augustine Amphitheatre w/ Animals as Leaders
- 26 April – Orlando FL at Hard Rock Live w/ Animals as Leaders
- 27 April – Atlanta GA at Atlanta Symphony Hall w/ Animals as Leaders
- 29 April – Charlotte NC at Ovens Auditorium w/ Animals as Leaders
- 30 April – Durham NC at DPAC w/ Animals as Leaders
Surfing With The Hydra Tour May 2026 Dates
- 2 May – Minneapolis MN at State Theatre w/ Animals as Leaders
- 3 May – Chicago IL at Chicago Theatre w/ Animals as Leaders
- 5 May – Milwaukee WI at Pabst Theater w/ Animals as Leaders
- 7 May – Nashville TN at Ryman Auditorium w/ Animals as Leaders
- 8 May – Cincinnati OH at PNC Pavilion at Riverbend Music Center w/ Animals as Leaders
- 9 May – Indianapolis IN at Everwise Amphitheater at White River State Park w/ Animals as Leaders
- 10 May – St Louis MO at The Factory w/ Animals as Leaders
- 12 May – Buffalo NY at Kleinhans Music Hall w/ Animals as Leaders
- 13 May – Toronto ON at Meridian Hall w/ Animals as Leaders
- 15 May – Northfield OH at MGM Northfield Park w/ Animals as Leaders
- 16 May – Rochester Hills MI at Meadow Brook Amphitheatre w/ Animals as Leaders
- 17 May – Syracuse NY at Landmark Theatre w/ Animals as Leaders
- 20 May – Boston MA at Leader Bank Pavilion w/ Animals as Leaders
- 21 May – Albany NY at Palace Theatre w/ Animals as Leaders
- 22 May – Waterbury CT at Palace Theater w/ Animals as Leaders
- 23 May – Virginia Beach VA at The Dome w/ Animals as Leaders
- 27 May – Reading PA at Santander Performing Arts Center w/ Animals as Leaders
- 28 May – New York NY at Beacon Theatre w/ Animals as Leaders
- 29 May – Atlantic City NJ at Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa w/ Animals as Leaders
- 30 May – Vienna VA at Wolf Trap w/ Animals as Leaders
(All dates and venues from SATCHVAI Band official listing)
As the spring 2026 season approaches fans will be watching closely for ticket sale updates and potential special appearances that promise to make this run one of the most talked about tours of the year.
