THE GIG: Matteo Mancuso

THE SPOT: The Vic Theater in Chicago, Illinois

THE DATE: February 27, 2026

My back surgery is four months in the rearview mirror. At last, it’s time to get back to gigs. February 27 found me at the Vic Theater for an entirely new — and absolutely FANTASTIC — experience.

I’m ashamed to say I knew absolutely nothing about guitarist Matteo Mancuso. He’s one of many, many artists to get past me while I listen to the glut of other artists and albums to grace my desk. I was invited to this show while being told precious little about the artist. Something tells me I was expected to know more than I did. Oops.

Mancuso’s trio, featuring Ricardo Oliva (bass) and Gianluca Pellerito (drums), took the stage precisely on time and proceeded to burn said stage down for the next 100 or so minutes. Chicago was the final stop for this tour, and the band was making sure not to take anything back home with them.

Mancuso’s playing style struck me as a nice groove between Jeff Beck and Steve Vai. He doesn’t use a pick, has terrific touch, is highly lyrical with his phrasing, and has the ability launch into pure shred at will.

For this show, the band stayed mostly in the fusion realm. They played a few tracks from Mancuso’s forthcoming album Route 96, which is due for release in April. They also revisited fusion classics like Jaco Pastorius’s “The Chicken” and Jeff Beck’s take on “‘Cause We Ended as Lovers.” Nary a bad note was played all evening.

The rest of the trio was equally brilliant. Oliva channeled his best Jaco (and perhaps a touch of Anthony Jackson) to create high-power and deeply melodic grooves and solos. Meanwhile, Pellerito was doing his level best to turn his drum kit into shrapnel, playing with joy and high intensity. His solos were every bit as exciting as his bandmates. It was easy for Mancuso to step back and let his boys cook.

The band played with a sense of ease and familiarity only the best bands can attain. Their onstage interactions made it clear how much fun they were having. That energy swept over the audience like a wave.

The incredible amount of talent coming from an artist so young (the new album is named after the year Mancuso was born) gives hope to music’s future. It also makes this part-time guitarist (thirty years his senior) absolutely nuts! But that’s okay. He’s worth it.

And now I know who Matteo Mancuso is. I won’t forget any time soon.

#cirdecsongs

If you would like to have your music reviewed or have your band photographed while in Chicago, contact me at cirdecsongs@gmail.com