Leiderhalle

Somebody said that King Crimson is defined to a large extent by its drummer. Pat Mastelotto’s blend of heavy-hitting grooves and his own brand of eclectic electronica ensures he adds an inquisitive, exploratory focus to the music.

Throughout this sadly incomplete show he demonstrates those qualities and shows why he’s King Crimson’s longest-serving occupant of the drummer’s chair.

In the soundcheck for this gig, he also demonstrated his penchant for quick-thinking humour. In his diary, Robert Fripp takes up the story.

“Soundcheck: usually Adrian and I arrive after The Rhythm Buddies are done. The sound Pat gets from his kit is good, strong, convincing. And very loud. But three decades of sound checks with drummers is enough for me, particularly when the FOH Sound Mixer asks a drummer to hit the snare drum. If there is any delay or problem with the Back Line, and often there is, the Front Line is left, either waiting backstage, or having the fine hairs of the inner ears flattened onstage.

Today, Adrian was kept waiting longer than usual. He came on once and was sent away. Then he came back, quickly tested his equipment and announced I've waited an hour for you, now you can wait an hour for me. Then left. It's that part of the tour. After 5 weeks & 3 days, something changes. No one took offence. Pat hit one of his many samples, this one a sample of Adrian saying I danced right out of there! Wonderfully appropriate.”