Paul Gilbert Captivates Dallas on the WROC World Tour 2026

Photojournalist: Brian McLean

Influential American guitarist Paul Gilbert brought his Washington’s Rules of Civility (WROC) World Tour 2026 to the historic Granada Theater in Dallas on Saturday night.

The American leg of the tour hit major markets from coast to coast, including a three-night stand at New York City's iconic Iridium. The Dallas date marked the final stop of the WROC U.S. tour.

Blues-rock guitarist Greg Koch joined the tour as the special guest each night.

Sporting a black Grand Funk Live Album t-shirt and a Milwaukee Brewers cap, Koch may not have been immediately recognizable to many in the Dallas-Fort Worth crowd, but by the end of his set, the audience knew exactly who he was.

Opening with a Jimi Hendrix cover, the Milwaukee native wasted no time connecting with the crowd. Koch effortlessly navigated a diverse selection of material, including original compositions such as "Daddy Long Legs" and "Tonus Diabolicus," while weaving in riffs from Led Zeppelin and other classic rock staples.

As a whole, Koch's performance was one of the strongest special guest sets seen at the Granada Theater in recent memory.

Following a brief set change, Gilbert took the stage dressed entirely in black and topped off the look with a tricorn hat. Slung over his shoulder was his signature pink Ibanez guitar, connected by a matching pink cable to a Fender amplifier. The setup launched an opening instrumental barrage that lasted more than 20 minutes and showcased a dazzling array of melodies and riffs collectively known as the "Crazy PG Melody."

Given Gilbert's extensive catalog, there was no shortage of material to draw from, though the evening's set leaned heavily on WROC.

The album is Gilbert's latest studio release and his first vocal album in a decade. It finds the guitarist transforming centuries-old etiquette guidelines into fiery melodic rock anthems.

Drawing lyrical inspiration from George Washington's Rules of Civility and Decent Behavior, Gilbert uses passages covering everything from common courtesy to proper table manners as the foundation for both vocal and guitar melodies.

Later in the evening, Koch returned to the stage to join Gilbert for a spirited rendition of ZZ Top's "Thunderbird."

Gilbert's performance created a memorable night in Dallas. Audience members were united by his musicianship, enthusiasm, and unmistakable command of the stage. While it was unfortunate that this marked the final night of the American WROC tour, the overall experience proved to be a rewarding one.

One thing remains certain: whenever Paul Gilbert's name appears on a marquee, it is worth setting aside the date. As he demonstrated at the Granada Theater, Gilbert possesses a rare ability to captivate an audience and hold its attention from the opening note to the final note.

PAUL GILBERT

GREG KOCH