I saw them in Orlando the night before Jannus, I would have gone to Jannus, but I had a wedding show I had to play. One of the bad things about playing music for a living, but I digress.
I feel the same way OP feels about Vernon, I think his rhythm playing is fantastic, but his lead playing has always been messy and chaotic in that sense, but its one of the reason you go see Vernon play. The whole Jazz Fusion/Free Jazz thing with a shit ton of distortion is his thing, and for whatever reason, it works.
Living Colour in general really blew me away, they not only played their hits, but also they played a bunch of cool covers and some stuff that I'm not gonna spoil while the tour is happening.
Doug's massive selection of 4 and 5 string Spector basses, which in the hour they were on, changed more than I change underwear and his bass tone is absolutely top notch.
The drummer is the tiniest human being on the planet, and has the biggest voice ever, I was in the last row of the orchestra seats, with earplugs in, and I heard him count off loud and clear every time, its honestly just as impressive as his playing. The man is an absolute animal.
Then comes Corey...Mind you Corey is 59 years old. He sang everything in the original key, and hits super high notes with ease and precision unlike any of his contemporaries. He's also added a tint of gospel to his voice that used to not be there, and I really enjoyed it. He didn't move around much, but I understand you gotta pick your battles. Out of that period of bands (Winger, Danger Danger, Living Colour, Extreme, Firehouse etc.) Gary and Corey are the only ones who can still do it, and do it well.
Now Extreme. I've seen them 3 times in my life, first time was in '14, then in '17 and now, and they only keep getting better.
Nuno, was well, Nuno. Gary might be the singer, but Nuno is the frontman of Extreme. The incredible confidence, poise and elegance, he shows in MCing the show, while playing most of the solos he does almost note for note, singing lead and backing vocals, at the age of 57, is a level that I aspire to at least get to half of when I'm his age.
Gary did everything in the original key, in the same style, same level of energy he's always had since 1990, and at the age of 62, is insane to say the least. The level of theatrics in the show, the way he looks, the way he dresses, just add to the cherry on top that is his amazing performance.
Pat was Pat, he's always been great, his bass tones, his chops and keeping up with Nuno, as well as being the Michael Anthony of the band in terms of harmonies, is always a sight to see. They did Cupid's Dead and that middle prog section in the song, was absolutely dead on perfect, and that was just one of the many highlights.
Kevin is an animal, He hits HARD and is so precise in everything he does, that it honestly makes me forget that Paul was ever in the band. He plays the parts like he wrote them, and the embellishments on top of all that, is crazy.
Overall, I think I paid $125 for my seats, and next time that I see them, I'm getting VIP and front row. I don't care if the tickets are $1000. I'll be more than happy to spend it. I also bought $185 worth of merch, because the t shirt designs, and the signed double vinyl of the new record is amazing, just to keep as a collector's thing.
Extreme has been my favorite band, right along side Van Halen, and they just keep being better, every time. Side note, Nuno has no business looking as good as he does at 57, and I hope I look half as good when I'm his age.
