Pat Metheny is one of those special artists who’s live concerts are highly anticipated events whenever he comes to the UK. He is one of the few handful of musicians who always generates a buzz. Pat Metheny returned to The Barbican as part of the Summer Jazz Series with his Side Eye project which has now been expanded into a quintet featuring keyboardist Chris Fishman, drummer Joe Dyson from the trio incarnation along with new additions bassist Jermaine Paul and percussionist and vocalist Leonard Patton. This was the first of three London dates.
The five-piece configuration of Side Eye at times kind of resembled and sounded like Pat’s legendary PMG (Pat Metheny Group) ensemble. Metheny and his group of outstanding young musicians were all on top form as they performed material from the new Side Eye III+ album, some PMG classics and other noted songs from Pat’s massive catalogue. The concert proper was followed up with four encores, making altogether two and a half hours of pure excellence.
After more than 50 years, Pat Metheny has shown that he is still a massive draw and can still pull in the huge audiences. An outstanding performance from a true jazz-guitar legend.
Pat Metheny’s Side-Eye III+ at London Barbican, 18 July 2026
