Bands you are shocked are not appearing next year...
- Thread starter nightwish58
- Start date
Braxil
Member
Yeah, I'm so glad there's this much interest in having the most creative band of all time at PP!
Well, a couple of my picks has already been mentioned, so I will throw out:
Adagio
Lalu
Transmission
Civilization One
Mind's Eye (especially after the release of "A Gentlemans' Hurricane"
and way too many others to name. Anyways, just my wants and desires.
Adagio
Lalu
Transmission
Civilization One
Mind's Eye (especially after the release of "A Gentlemans' Hurricane"
and way too many others to name. Anyways, just my wants and desires.
Braxil
Member
woosta
Member
What's being a dick about that? It's bugging me. I'm not happy. What, I'm going to bring them to the USA for a one off show..where, in some city on some week night? Yeah, that would be smart. For the record, I DID offer to sponsor Pretty Maids some years ago and was outright told that "there is no fan base for them in the US". As if Astral Doors and Spectral whatever have that fan base. It's the irony of what I was told versus where we're at now. I don't offer to sponsor every year. I was given a flat rejection about them before and I only need to be told once. But I will persist in my opinion.
As far as them "not wanting to come", I suppose it's possible that they would reject this type of show in the USA if they had sponsorship, but I think it highly unlikely considering the status and the opportunity. That's something I don't know for sure though. And if YOU hope they don't bomb, how do you think I feel? But I'm confident. I've never seen a European band of that many years "bomb" and I don't think the Maids would be the first.
General Zod
Ruler of Australia
I can't say there's an omission on this roster that surprises me. Had Riverside not been booked, I would have been shocked.
The only surprise for me, is that this line-up is going to be more top heavy, in terms a name recognition/star power, than most ProgPowers have been. If my guess is right and we end up with Iced Earth and Symphony X, you'll have two bands at the top of the roster who each could draw 2,000 in NYC. The other ten bands on the roster couldn't draw flies to a picnic. Mind you, this isn't a commentary on the quality of those bands, merely their drawing power. The one exception to this would be Jon Olivia Project #834. However, their draw would be based more on past glory than current quality.
Zod
The only surprise for me, is that this line-up is going to be more top heavy, in terms a name recognition/star power, than most ProgPowers have been. If my guess is right and we end up with Iced Earth and Symphony X, you'll have two bands at the top of the roster who each could draw 2,000 in NYC. The other ten bands on the roster couldn't draw flies to a picnic. Mind you, this isn't a commentary on the quality of those bands, merely their drawing power. The one exception to this would be Jon Olivia Project #834. However, their draw would be based more on past glory than current quality.
Zod
If bands have drawing power here, than they probably have already been here and done full tours. I think top heavy in terms of name recognition makes sense for this festival, and making sure we get bands that might not be big named (except to the people who listen to this stuff), but are of high quality.
halcyonwayband@aol.com
Guitars - Halcyon Way
- Nov 9, 2003
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Honestly, I'm never shocked at the lineup. As into metal as I am, I have never heard 50%+ of the rosters, every year. So there's always cool stuff to learn about and get into. This year it does seem like all the ones booked are maybe like 1-3 slots except JOP, BUT....there's 12 bands this year. I'm sure that the budget constraints had some effect on the bands we got - because the tickets really aren't going up much - and also it seems to leave room (ie, money budgeted) for some huge headliners. I think this is going to be cool.
Incidentally, how come Nevermore haven't been mentioned on here as a surprise? The last time they cancelled it was to go on tour with Disturbed in Europe, and that kind of exposure vs. a 1-off show, that's hard to pass up.
Incidentally, how come Nevermore haven't been mentioned on here as a surprise? The last time they cancelled it was to go on tour with Disturbed in Europe, and that kind of exposure vs. a 1-off show, that's hard to pass up.
General Zod
Ruler of Australia
Because Glenn has clearly stated he'll never deal with them again. Although I agree with you, their reason was legit and any other band would have done the same (yes, even Evergrey), Glenn doesn't want to get burned again.
Zod
Harvester
The Promoter
I would disagree with you on Riverside completley in terms of drawing power on their own.
However, I pose this question to you. How many tickets do you think I would sell to this festival based on those 10 bands alone along with the festival name? Keep in mind that I am referring to this festival and not individual shows on their own in any other city. How many hardcore fans, individual dedicted band fans (i.e. there are more Nailz type out there), and returnees willing to come after having several months to explore these bands' catalogs?
I would say that it is similar situation to PP VI with tons of unknowns to the average fan. Let's compare rosters/slots based on draw at the moment the roster was announced along with anticipated change of that recoginition up until tickets go on sale:
Zero Hour- Pathosray
Zero Hour has more history and a small, but dedicated fanbase. I don't see people traveling just for them though. Pathosray has the new band buzz with time to build up the name the way Circus Maximus did with their debut. They will also have more appeal to a wider audience than ZH did base on the style of music they play.
Winner: Tie
Pyramaze- Serenity
Pyramaze wins this rather easily based on name recogintion in the hardcore circles with Lance's name alone. However, the general audience wouldn't know either.
Winner: Pyramaze
Vision Divine- Elvenking
I honestly belive they are about equal in terms of name recognition, just in different circles
Winner: Tie
Savage Circus- Spheric Universe Experience
You had the BG fanbase, but that did not equate to sales and sustained buzz for the band. People were not going to travel just for them alone. SUE has the dedicated prog base.
Winner: Spheric Universe Experience (but not by much)
Thunderstone- Andromeda
No contest here.
Winner: Andromeda
Freak Kitchen- Astral Doors
Remember, this is upon announcement. I was *blasted* and questioned about this pick more than any other band in the history of the festival. That opinion did not change until after the festival. Astral Doors has the catalog, the sales, and the opening slot on the European BG tour last year to build their name.
Winner: Astral Doors
Mercenery- Volbeat
Returning factor vs. Freak Kitchen type situation.
Winner: Mercenary
Epica- Iron Savior
Popular Beauty & Beast band vs band with cememented status with power fans.
Winner: Epica
Jorn- Riverside
Jorn was another choice I was raked over the coals with. Riverside has the sales and unique crossover appeal that I still cannot figure out.
Winner: Riverside
Evergrey- JOP
Evergrey grew up with us. Jon is a legend.
Winner: Evergrey
Figure up the numbers and you have a tie. When I figure in two good headliners, I believe I'm in really good shape. The bottom line is that a sell-out in 5 months is the same as a sell-out in 5 days at this stage in the history of the festival. I get the same thing out of it and it is not going to hurt the perception of the festival in the future in terms of sales impact.
I think shocked is an awfully strong reaction to any band not being on bill for any PP.....disappointed maybe, though have never been to any great degree.
With that said, Tomorrows Eve and Dark Water are two bands that are certainly deserving of the attention that playing PP brings.
In regards to Nevermore.....Love the band, but not so sure I need to see them at PP...however, I thought it was a killer pairing with Everygrey that would have worked well as headliners for that particular line up (had they appeared).
With that said, Tomorrows Eve and Dark Water are two bands that are certainly deserving of the attention that playing PP brings.
In regards to Nevermore.....Love the band, but not so sure I need to see them at PP...however, I thought it was a killer pairing with Everygrey that would have worked well as headliners for that particular line up (had they appeared).
General Zod
Ruler of Australia
Perhaps they have a cross-over appeal I'm not aware of. Let me ask you, if they got booked as a headliner at B.B. King's, how many people would they draw?
Kind of a tricky question. I'd guess 700 - 900. However, I think to truly judge the drawing power of any ProgPower line-up, you first need to determine how many tickets you'd sell with a mystery roster. This festival (to your credit) would draw even with a sub par line-up. Unlike most festivals, this festival has a very unique social element that can't be discounted. At this point, if you had 12 bands I could care less about, I'd go if only to see the friends I only get to see once a year.
I'm certainly not going to argue your business with you. Anyone who does is foolish. If you believe you have what you need in place, than I believe you're correct. I wasn't commenting on the likelihood of a sell out, or even the quality of the roster, only the name recognition of the 10 bands currently on the roster.
Am I betting that this festival won't sell out? Hell no.
Zod
Harvester
The Promoter
I didn't think you were at all. My post was more of an exercise in comparison of past success (6 tickets not sold at PP VI is still a success in my eyes) vs. the perceived "unknown roster" so far this time out.
I'd be interested in sponsoring this band for PPUSA X. How much would it cost, seriously?
Wastefall - Pathosray (when most tickets were being bought)
Wastefall marginally upon announcement. By the time tickets went on sale, I'd say a tie or Pathosray.
Wastefall... there is a band that I hope gets another chance to play here...
Wastefall marginally upon announcement. By the time tickets went on sale, I'd say a tie or Pathosray.
Wastefall... there is a band that I hope gets another chance to play here...
General Zod
Ruler of Australia
Let me ask you this... how expected was the reaction you received to date and how concerned are you?
Honestly, I'm surprised people are so unfamiliar with the roster. If you include the Pathosray disc (which I'll be buying), I own discs from 6 of the 10 bands on the roster.
Zod
FYI, Glenn, I'm going to PPUSA IX primarily because of IS and JOP, but I'd probably still go anyway just because you always present us with a killer roster of bands. THANKS AS ALWAYS for giving us all a REAL metallic good time year after year!
halcyonwayband@aol.com
Guitars - Halcyon Way
- Nov 9, 2003
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Bummer. I wasn't aware of that. I'd love to see NM on that stage - I've only seen them once, and it was years ago when they opened up for In Flames, with SHADOWS FALL as the 1st opener. I think they'd be a great halo, but I can understand Glenn's position too.
I'm not.
Pathosray = first album just available.
Serenity = relative unknown until put on another ProgPower roster.
Elvenking = only one album that is widely available in the U.S. Mostly a fan talked about band.
Spheric Universe Experience = Some progmetal heads like it a lot. Outside of a couple progmetal forums/discussion groups they aren't talked in very many places. Nightmare records faithful like them. I don't see much hype surrounding this band, but I do see their name often enough. Only had one album, until they recently released Anima.
Astral Doors = People who at least read some forums, or metal magazines should know of this band. If not heard them. There's enough talk about them year after year.
Andromeda = Well known in progmetal community and anybody who would come to this festival for prog.
Volbeat = No push in the U.S. Album not widely available. Little talk about them here. They are alt-metal/hardrock so not an immediate listen by metalheads.
Iron Savior = Anybody who listens to power metal should be familiar, if nothing else with Piet.
Riverside = progrock with some crossover appeal to metalheads. But not necessarily immediately grabbed onto by metalheads.
JOP = Almost everybody who would potentially go is familiar with Savatage. Though there will probably still be some who don't know who/what Jon Oliva's Pain is. But yeah.. well known.
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