I thought I would offer a bit of perspective on next year’s roster. I hope this helps cut down on the second guessing (aka bitching) not only here, but on other forums as well.
*I really think people are looking at the roster as complete now instead of remembering that I have not announced the two headliners. These will be unquestioned headliners instead of borderline or “creating a headliner situation” next year. I always wonder how much of a difference it would be to the first impression if the biggest draw was announced first.
*At the moment, I only have a single repeat band (yes, I am counting Oliva as a repeat). Elevating new talent is essential as there have not been many bands over the past couple of years to take a step up. So it becomes a damned if you do..damned if you don’t situation.
*The bigger names on the roster are prog-oriented at the moment. That is why I’m catching so much heat from the powerheads. The roster will be balanced out with the power headliners. In the words of Ron White, “Diamonds….that ought to shut her up.” Patience.
*I have announced this not only a year in advance of the show, but 5 months in front of ticket sales. That gives you plenty of time to do your homework. I think a few of you are going to feel *much* better once you actually listen to the music of those that you don’t know.
*It’s 12 bands, not 10. So if you don’t like 2 of them, then re-evaluate the roster without those names on it in your own mind AFTER the headliners are announced. You can get back to me then.
*I don’t expect anyone to agree with me on anything. It’s up to me to make some tough decisions. I’ll find out if I did “ok” once tickets go on sale.
As for the bands themselves:
Openers:
I wanted a hybrid approach on both bands.
Pathosray- The album just came off the presses last week. Nobody knows them. Same thing happened with Circus Maximus a few years ago and that turned out just fine.
Serenity: Released one of the best debuts in recent memory. They will appeal to both sides of the coin. Trust me.
2nd Slot:
Spheric Universe Experience: Well known in the prog circles. Power fans will not care and say they are a nobody. This is just about the exact same situation as Dreamscape a few years ago. That turned out just fine.
Elvenking: Small, but DEVOTED fanbase that will be the ultimate street team for a band on this roster. Older fans will enjoy the folk aspect while new fans will enjoy their new Nocturnal Rites style. The new album just came out so it needs time for word of mouth to spread.
3rd slot:
Astral Doors- Album of the month in most major European magazines for two consecutive releases, opened for Blind Guardian all across Europe, sales of each album are trending upwards, headline tour of Europe this year. Melodic power that balances things nicely.
Andromeda: You knew it was going to happen. I was just waiting for one more release. Will go over huge with the Redemption/Threshold fans. Once again, power fans will *yawn.* However, those were the same ones that screamed at me when I put Virgin Steele in a 2nd slot this year. They had the emptiest floor of the entire year while there wasn’t room to breath during Redemption. ]
4th slot:
Volbeat- Muahhahah. I am the evil scientist with balls the size of grapefruit. People can bitch all they want and I will still say…muhahahahah. Yes, they are the oddball. I think they are one of the best bands on the planet and will destroy the place. I can see a bunch of people standing there for a few songs not knowing what the hell hit them and then having a blast by the end of the show. Does that sound like any other oddball band I have booked over the past few years *cough*FK*cough.* What some of you may not know is that they are a platinum selling artist overseas that outsell major record label bands in certain countries. Their record label is looking to expand into the U.S. next year and they will push them hard. These guys have more of a chance for commercial success here in the States than any band that has ever been on the ProgPower USA roster.
Iron Savior- We can’t have a festival without some quality European style speed metal. They have been around a while and *earned* their status.
5th slot:
Riverside- Whether you like them or not, you cannot deny their massive crossover appeal. They actually sell more records in the States in the past few years than all of the ones I have just listed *combined.*
Jon Oliva’s Pain- Legend. Period.
Headliners:
1- Power metal- Will cement the progpower name.
2. Power/prog- I am exploring a few options here. There will be no controversy though.
Time will tell if I'm right....
*I really think people are looking at the roster as complete now instead of remembering that I have not announced the two headliners. These will be unquestioned headliners instead of borderline or “creating a headliner situation” next year. I always wonder how much of a difference it would be to the first impression if the biggest draw was announced first.
*At the moment, I only have a single repeat band (yes, I am counting Oliva as a repeat). Elevating new talent is essential as there have not been many bands over the past couple of years to take a step up. So it becomes a damned if you do..damned if you don’t situation.
*The bigger names on the roster are prog-oriented at the moment. That is why I’m catching so much heat from the powerheads. The roster will be balanced out with the power headliners. In the words of Ron White, “Diamonds….that ought to shut her up.” Patience.
*I have announced this not only a year in advance of the show, but 5 months in front of ticket sales. That gives you plenty of time to do your homework. I think a few of you are going to feel *much* better once you actually listen to the music of those that you don’t know.
*It’s 12 bands, not 10. So if you don’t like 2 of them, then re-evaluate the roster without those names on it in your own mind AFTER the headliners are announced. You can get back to me then.
*I don’t expect anyone to agree with me on anything. It’s up to me to make some tough decisions. I’ll find out if I did “ok” once tickets go on sale.
As for the bands themselves:
Openers:
I wanted a hybrid approach on both bands.
Pathosray- The album just came off the presses last week. Nobody knows them. Same thing happened with Circus Maximus a few years ago and that turned out just fine.
Serenity: Released one of the best debuts in recent memory. They will appeal to both sides of the coin. Trust me.
2nd Slot:
Spheric Universe Experience: Well known in the prog circles. Power fans will not care and say they are a nobody. This is just about the exact same situation as Dreamscape a few years ago. That turned out just fine.
Elvenking: Small, but DEVOTED fanbase that will be the ultimate street team for a band on this roster. Older fans will enjoy the folk aspect while new fans will enjoy their new Nocturnal Rites style. The new album just came out so it needs time for word of mouth to spread.
3rd slot:
Astral Doors- Album of the month in most major European magazines for two consecutive releases, opened for Blind Guardian all across Europe, sales of each album are trending upwards, headline tour of Europe this year. Melodic power that balances things nicely.
Andromeda: You knew it was going to happen. I was just waiting for one more release. Will go over huge with the Redemption/Threshold fans. Once again, power fans will *yawn.* However, those were the same ones that screamed at me when I put Virgin Steele in a 2nd slot this year. They had the emptiest floor of the entire year while there wasn’t room to breath during Redemption. ]
4th slot:
Volbeat- Muahhahah. I am the evil scientist with balls the size of grapefruit. People can bitch all they want and I will still say…muhahahahah. Yes, they are the oddball. I think they are one of the best bands on the planet and will destroy the place. I can see a bunch of people standing there for a few songs not knowing what the hell hit them and then having a blast by the end of the show. Does that sound like any other oddball band I have booked over the past few years *cough*FK*cough.* What some of you may not know is that they are a platinum selling artist overseas that outsell major record label bands in certain countries. Their record label is looking to expand into the U.S. next year and they will push them hard. These guys have more of a chance for commercial success here in the States than any band that has ever been on the ProgPower USA roster.
Iron Savior- We can’t have a festival without some quality European style speed metal. They have been around a while and *earned* their status.
5th slot:
Riverside- Whether you like them or not, you cannot deny their massive crossover appeal. They actually sell more records in the States in the past few years than all of the ones I have just listed *combined.*
Jon Oliva’s Pain- Legend. Period.
Headliners:
1- Power metal- Will cement the progpower name.
2. Power/prog- I am exploring a few options here. There will be no controversy though.
Time will tell if I'm right....
