I have had a few emails and read a few posts at other forums regarding this matter so I will clarify the situation.
There is a private meet & greet prior to the opening of the doors at the pre-party on Thursday night for Gold Badge members *only.* All of the bands are invited to be there. The bands have the option of leaving prior to the general public being let in or sticking around and seeing how it goes. If people are polite and don't mob them, then there is a better chance of them staying. Folks were really cool last year about it and I'm hoping for a repeat.
At the festival itself, it is entirely up to the bands on how much they want to interact with the fans. I have no control over that matter. I will say that I do attempt to set up brief autograph sessions between sets for those bands that choose to participate.
Last year was a very unique experience as the majority of the bands hung out in the hallway and in the venue for the entire weekend. Hell, they even partied with the fans at the hotel rooms after the show. The thing that is different this year is that I have over twice as many in attendance this time. That will make it much more difficult for you to simply "hang out" with the bands. However, I'm fairly certain that you will run into Kai near the hotel or sit down at the bar with Tobias. The place isn't that big.
The only band that is going to be tough to really reach is Blind Guardian. Most of the bands that perform on Friday are usually available on Saturday (and vice versa) to the fans. However, they have an early flight to Montreal on Saturday morning. Thus, you may not get much of an opportunity to meet them.
Glenn H.
There is a private meet & greet prior to the opening of the doors at the pre-party on Thursday night for Gold Badge members *only.* All of the bands are invited to be there. The bands have the option of leaving prior to the general public being let in or sticking around and seeing how it goes. If people are polite and don't mob them, then there is a better chance of them staying. Folks were really cool last year about it and I'm hoping for a repeat.
At the festival itself, it is entirely up to the bands on how much they want to interact with the fans. I have no control over that matter. I will say that I do attempt to set up brief autograph sessions between sets for those bands that choose to participate.
Last year was a very unique experience as the majority of the bands hung out in the hallway and in the venue for the entire weekend. Hell, they even partied with the fans at the hotel rooms after the show. The thing that is different this year is that I have over twice as many in attendance this time. That will make it much more difficult for you to simply "hang out" with the bands. However, I'm fairly certain that you will run into Kai near the hotel or sit down at the bar with Tobias. The place isn't that big.
The only band that is going to be tough to really reach is Blind Guardian. Most of the bands that perform on Friday are usually available on Saturday (and vice versa) to the fans. However, they have an early flight to Montreal on Saturday morning. Thus, you may not get much of an opportunity to meet them.
Glenn H.
