Phil X
 

Ok so it is looking like Phil X will be here to stay, at least on tour. Lots of you have now seen him with the band so I want to know what he brings to the table and what qualities doesnt he have??

I am going to 3 shows and I want to know what this guy can do. Some say he is brilliant and others state he is no more than a session musician...

While he does lack Richie's tone and soul, Phil brings things in that have been sorely missed for the past 10 years from Richie like energy, excitement, passion and new and fresh musicianship. They're two different guitar players. But Phil is a good enough replacement.

Does he get into the songs or does he appear to just be doing a job?

I saw him into the song only during KTF and he seemed to enjoy We Got It Going On too. Otherwise he is invisible on the stage. Just my observation and opinion. He's good but nothing spectacular.

Mmmmmm. Thanks and that is what I get from the YouTube footage but sometimes being there feels different.

Haven't seen him on this tour, but did see him play with the band in 2011. His playing was fine, not soulful, but the slings sounded good. He did/does seem to enjoy himself any time he plays, and judging by his Instagram and etc, be does seem to be enjoying every moment of this, on stage and off.

The shows I saw (St. Paul, Des Moines & Vegas) X was into it it seemed. I suppose JBJ may have some 'rules' for what he wants X to and not to do as far as energy and spotlighting though.

I saw him in KC and Des Moines. I'm no expert, but he does a good job on guitar. He has a nice stage presence but is obviously not competing with JBJ for attention. He seems "into it" and looks to be having fun. He makes eye contact with the fans and, from his tweets, he obviously appreciates the attention. He's not Richie, but I'm happy with him.

From the shows on both tours that i have seen him play, he appears to be having a blast, he plays very well and is enjoyable to watch and listen to. Phil is in a tough spot. he's doing richies job, but he tries really hard not to rub it in fans faces. Jon does the same, he acknowledges Phil but tries not to shove him down fans throats, so there isn't the interaction between the two of them like there was with Richie. Now that may be changing a bit the longer Phil is with the band, but that was my impression of it at the shows I saw.

He's very good. Well he hasn't the blues sound of Richie nor his putting his soul as Richie would do, as these songs, are his children but he delivers a great live experience/performance. His favorite part of the show: Keep The Faith

There's nothing special about him, but as a temporary replacement he gets the job done. I found it was more about what was missing (Richie's stage presence, harmonies, etc.) than it was about what Phil brought to the table.

Have you seen them in Munich?

I think this is very much the case. In the early shows which featured RYH, Phil did his signature guitar spin, but that seems to be off the menu. He could do it during KTF but doesn't, so I guess with the respect issue, "Philling in" and lack of spotlighting, there must have been some boundaries agreed. It may be that he has decided to curb his natural flamboyance a bit so as not to fuel the fire more.. "Who does he think he is?" etc

Every guitar player in the world dreams of playing killer music on a grand stage for thousands. (I've been Pete Townshend for decades, every time I crash the A chord). The major shows on the horizon will be hugely exciting for him to consider, but he is living with the spectre that it could all end in a heartbeat....

I've been a Phil X fan for a couple of years now, not exclusively, but enjoyed his exuberance and skills, (Big Banana, Powder, FA, and The Drills, even seen them live). I enjoy Richies dry sense of humour (Brit style), I don't like Pete Townshends ego or GOM demeanour but whenever any of them sling the guitar over their shoulder I'm in!
Music (of a certain style) excites me, enervates me, makes me smile and feel alive.

Whatever you say, Phil has enabled this tour, (others could, but he got the call) 24 gigs in, Copenhagen could be the last, Manchester could be the last etc etc. if he doesn't make $1m there's little justice....