Mateus Asato Kicks Off European Tour in Cologne
Mateus Asato kicked off his European tour right here in Cologne on October 4, 2026, at Club Volta. With no opening act, the band took the stage at the advertised 8 PM and launched straight into a heavier sound than I had expected. The first two songs leaned noticeably toward heavier and louder territory than what is usually associated with the young Brazilian guitarist.
The room was packed, with a predominantly—but not exclusively—young male audience. Judging by the crowd, the majority appeared to be guitar enthusiasts, musicians, gear heads and bedroom players who had come to see one of the guitar world’s rising names up close.
Asato played a green-and-brown Fender Stratocaster, reflecting his relatively new endorsement deal with Fender. While he addressed the audience between songs, he kept the talking short and focused primarily on the music.
It didn’t take long for Asato to show his appreciation for his three-piece backing band. He handed the spotlight to each musician for an individual solo, giving the audience a chance to see that the musicians behind him were more than just a supporting cast. Asato also took time to praise his bandmates from the stage.
Musically, his first full-length studio album, “ASATO”, occupied the centrepiece of the evening, supplemented by various previously released singles. As he announced right at the beginning of the set, “This is not a singing night, it’s an instrumental evening.” And that was exactly what followed, with Asato demonstrating his outstanding guitar technique while the audience absorbed the sound from an unusually intimate distance. With no pit barrier between the stage and the crowd, many spectators were standing only a few feet away from the musicians.
After the first few songs, Asato asked the audience, “Should we play some more?” The answer was obvious. The concert continued with a constantly shifting mix of funk-fusion, shredding and pristine ambient passages, with the audience standing transfixed in front of the stage.
This was one of those nights when what you see is what you get. Everything heard came from the musicians on stage—no backing tracks and no additional sound effects. That is worth mentioning at a time when more and more touring musicians are resorting to pre-recorded elements to reduce touring personnel and the associated costs.
That was not the case here. Asato brought a full band to Cologne, and the result was a genuinely live instrumental performance.
To close the night, the sheer brilliance of the performance served as a vivid reminder of why guitar masters like Mateus Asato continue to captivate audiences worldwide. Witnessing his flawless technique and deeply melodic phrasing live instantly recalls his iconic appearances on Rick Beato’s channel, from his viral solo interview to his legendary “In The Room” jam sessions. It is this exact blend of virtuosity and raw emotional connection that cements Asato’s status as a modern guitar hero, leaving the audience entirely spellbound as the final notes faded into the night.
Accreditation: Live Embassy
