Guitarist Phil X recently addressed fan concerns about Triumph’s upcoming tour. He clarified the roles of original members Rik Emmett and Gil Moore in a statement shared on Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk.
Phil X spoke about his involvement with Triumph’s first tour in more than 30 years. He explained how the singing duties will be split between all the musicians each night. He directly responded to speculation about the original members’ limited participation.
“Right now it’s just been talk, but [some] people think that [Rik Emmett and Gil Moore] only gonna jump up on for a couple of songs or something like that — that’s gone around as well. But that’s bull. They’re playing the entire set,” Phil X said.
The guitarist went on to explain the flexible arrangements being made for the performances.
“And if anything, Gil might sing a couple of songs and not play drums. And that’s when Brent will come in and play drums. And the thing about Brent that’s so amazing is that he’s amazing on keys as well. So he’ll be playing piano and keys. And then there are parts, if Rik feels comfortable with his ability, and he’ll be, like, ‘Hey, Phil, take this line,’ or, ‘Hey, Todd, take this line,’ and then something continues,” he continued.
Phil X emphasized the collaborative nature of the upcoming shows. He highlighted how the expanded lineup will enhance the live experience.
“They’re probably getting better every day, but I think they’re excited about not having to carry the entire bag and having us there instead of [using backing] tracks, like a lot of bands do. Gil is Mr. Quality Control, and he wants it to be as good as it can be. And instead of running tracks, he’d rather have guys up there doing it. And Rik feels great about that too. I mean, as a three-piece, they never had some of the harmonies [when they performed live] that were on records, so they’re both excited about having that, the ability to just open up with five guys singing. So that’s another thing that they couldn’t do in the past,” he said.
The guitarist also shared his excitement about the generous approach of the original members.
“I think once you get on stage and there’s the adrenaline, and then after there’s a few shows under our belts and you have the momentum, I think anything could happen. But when I talked to Rik, he’s all about sharing the moments, like, ‘Hey, Phil, after I do this and this song, I’d like you to have a moment and do your guitar thing here.’ And it’s pretty amazing. I’m, like, ‘What? Really?’ [Laughs] They’re very sharing people,” Phil X concluded.
Phil X’s involvement with Triumph represents a full-circle moment in his career. It brings together his past connections with the band and his current status as a prominent rock guitarist.
Parade reported that Phil X’s career in music began in the early 1990s while touring with Canadian rocker Aldo Nova and recording with Canadian hard rock band Triumph. This historical connection makes his return to the band particularly meaningful, as he has evolved from a supporting musician to a full-time member of Bon Jovi and now a key figure in Triumph’s comeback.
The upcoming 2026 tour marks a significant milestone for the Canadian rock legends. Blabbermouth noted that this will be Triumph’s first tour in over 30 years. The tour features an expanded lineup that includes original members Rik Emmett, Gil Moore, and Mike Levine, alongside Phil X, Brent Fitz, and Todd Kerns. The tour is set to hit 10 Canadian and 16 U.S. cities, bringing the band’s classic hits to a new generation of fans.
The expanded six-piece lineup addresses one of Triumph’s longtime live performance challenges. Brave Words revealed that the original three-piece configuration often struggled to recreate the complex harmonies and layered arrangements found on their studio recordings during live performances. The addition of Phil X, Brent Fitz, and Todd Kerns will allow the band to deliver a fuller sound that more closely matches their recorded material.
Gil Moore has expressed particular enthusiasm about the guitar partnership. He described Emmett and Phil X as a “double-barreled shotgun” of guitar talent. This collaboration promises to showcase both the classic Triumph sound that fans remember and the fresh energy that Phil X brings from his experience with modern rock acts like Bon Jovi.
