Oran Mor, Glasgow 13th May 2026
Review By Ross Muir From www.FabricationsHQ.com
Images By Scott Anderson
Sicilian guitar maestro Matteo Mancuso is standing on the shoulders of innovative giants (Beck, Hendrix, Holdsworth, Di Meola, Van Halen, et al).
But he is also recognised as bringing more to the guitar party by some of the world’s most famous and best guitarists, including Tommy Emmanuel, Tosin Abasi, Eric Gales and the aforementioned Al Di Meola and Steve Vai (many of whom he has shared a stage or a tune or three with).
Why his name is continually mentioned alongside such greats was underlined for the first time in Scotland at the Oran Mor in Glasgow, one of only two dates in the UK as Matteo Mancuso and his band of fusion-rock solid brothers Riccardo Oliva (bass) and Gianluca Pellerito (drums) toured across Europe in support of Mancuso’s new, and second album, Route 96.
After an atmospheric stage-lighting effected intro, the band opened their 90 minute set with ‘Solar Wind,’ which also opens Route 96.
As the slow burn ‘Solar Wind’ picked up speed, the Glasgow crowd got to see the first glimpses of Matteo Mancuso’s lightning-fast runs, solo parts and even some intentionally Vai-esque play (Steve Vai features on the studio version of the number), all played over the top of some very impressive chord sequencing.
Indeed, such was the flawless, quick-switch from the end of Mancuso’s second solo to the guitar melody line that concludes the piece, with Riccardo Oliva & Gianluca Pellerito right there with him, that there was a discernible “woah!” from the audience, followed by an applause of recognition.
‘Falcon Flight,’ from debut album The Journey, was even more impressive.
Matteo Mancuso’s guitar lead melody line (and fabulous solo) soared, title fittingly, over an insistent, complex drum-part (Oliva & Pellerito also shone on this number) and clever chordal work a la Gambale/ Holdsworth.
After a short introduction of welcome from Matteo Mancuso, the band slipped into ‘The Great Wall,’ a piece that, as Mancuso confirmed, is heavily influenced by his love of Weather Report and their album Heavy Weather.
Breezy and impeccably played, Mancuso’s solo, and use of whammy bar, would have been the envy of many a guitar-muso.
‘Fire And Harmony,’ a masterclass in dynamics and the use of tension, was the first number where it became noticeable that backing tracks, albeit sparingly, were being used (usually an electric or acoustic rhythm guitar part; the studio version of the song opens with a dual guitar section).
however, given the complexity of the pieces being performed, and clearly wanting to ensure they were as complete and as nuanced as possible, it was an acceptable form of additional layering.
Highlights here included Riccardo Oliva’s short bass solo and another exceptional guitar solo. (Matteo Mancuso’s vibrato technique is second to none, as is his flamenco-like thumb and fingers picking technique, which gives him the flexibility and speed a plectrum never could).
The muscular ‘Silkroad,’ which features liberal doses of light & shade, was a highlight of the set. Equipped with a big riff, a prog-rock vibe and judicious use of the whammy bar to dive up and down to notes (echoes of Scott Henderson here) ‘Silkroad’ also featured a middle 8 that brought a change of pace and a classical guitar styled figure.
Back-to-back tribute covers were further highlights.
‘Cause We’ve Ended as Lovers’ has become a staple of Matteo Mancuso’s sets; as such this tribute to Jeff Beck did not disappoint.
Chick Corea’s ‘Spain’ was expertly transcribed from the original instrumentation to be reshaped as a fusion tour-de-force.
Mancuso’s jazz-styled six-string leanings and Riccardo Oliva’s excellent bass work were almost worth the admission fee on their own, while the closing section became an intricate and deft bass & guitar riff-motif with Gianluca Pellerito’s percussive drum work playing off of it. Superb stuff.
The band returned to the Route 96 road for the run in, starting with ‘L.A. Blues One,’ which pretty much does what it says on the bright and funky, US west coast tin (nodding to the likes of Steve Lukather, Lenny Castro and Larry Carlton).
Some pedal switching then allowed Matteo Mancuso to emulate the multi-faceted ‘Isla Feliz,’ which runs the gamut of Gypsy Jazz/ acoustic/ electric/ classical guitar.
A jaunty, Latin vibed number (the studio track features Gypsy Jazz guitarist Antoine Boyer), this major key piece with memorable melody hook was yet another highlight (but then every number performed was).
‘In the Morning Light,’ with acoustic backing track, played in melodically delightful contrast to the fusion ferocity of following number, and main set closer, ‘Black Centurion.’
Focussing on the heavier side of the band (“my attempt to sound like a metal guy” quipped Matteo Mancuso), ‘Black Centurion’ featured some thick, grooving riffs and a number of well executed stops/time changes.
A vociferous reception from a highly enthralled Glasgow crowd guaranteed Matteo Mancuso and band returned for an encore of two more numbers.
A breakneck speed version of classic funk instrumental ‘The Chicken’ (most famously covered by Jaco Pastorius) allowed each member of the band to show off their not inconsiderable chops (a stunning guitar solo on the half-time part, a fast-fingered bass solo and a short but impactful drum solo).
‘Drop D,’ which opens The Journey album, was, in short, superior jazz-prog rock that built from a repeating figure to a heavier riff before returning to the main melody.
A great way to close out what was a virtuoso showcase.
Matteo Mancuso has an abundance of talent and a skill-set only a few can match.
He will therefore, inevitably, become an influence on the next generation of players, just as he has made an impression on the current generation of luminaries.
And, based on this showing, along with the reception he and his bandmates received, his first ever visit to Glasgow won’t be his last.
Prestazioni eccezionali, Signore Mancuso.
Words by Ross Muir
www.FabricationsHQ.com
Special mention, and thanks, to Shock City Productions for bringing Matteo Mancuso to Glasgow.
Photo credits (all images): Scott Anderson/ Zeezee Digital Imaging
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