Teatro Colosseo

“Good evening, Gentlemen,” says Belew adding “And Ladies,” after a pause. They’ve just finished a somewhat shaky Level Five where a few teething troubles in the equipment depart were being sorted out on the fly, not to mention the real danger of band members wilting due to dehydration on stage. To say it’s hot in Turin is an understatement.

That said, The ConstruKction Of Light here has a real energy and verve about it, no mean feat given the conditions and you can hear Belew, off-mic at the end say “Oh yeah, Baby. Thank you, Thank you.” Similarly Facts Of Life, despite containing a wrinkle here and there, is an absolute scorcher.

Fripp notes in his diary that the venue’s air conditioning wasn’t able to cope with the crushing heat. ”. . .this may have been our hottest onstage so far. Open-air venues provide some relief from the combined weight of hotness & humidity. The severe discomfort probably contributed to our small mistakes & carelessness, which irritate me to an excessive degree even though I am guilty of more than an equal share of them.”

Nevertheless, Larks’ Tongues IV is especially good with Gunn and Mastelotto’s interplay being a particular highlight in what is a storming performance. “Thank you,” gasps Belew at the end. “You are champions for sitting through the heat. . .if nothing else.”