Something that pissed me off about ProgPower

[DMin42]

That said, I don't plan on hanging it up for a while.

Phew!!!

I concur wholeheartedly with some of the above statements. You will always get some people that complain about the lack of "big names". Luckily, for me anyway, Progpower isn't for those people. As a fan of music in general, and especially metal, and most especially progressive metal, I'm very happy about the fact that there is a veritable ton of music out there for me to enjoy. Even if I had far more time available to me to search out new stuff and listen to it.......I still would miss a lot. Hell, from the sounds of it, Glenn, a guy who spends an ungodly amount of time devoted to the premier prog metal festival in the country, got a CD passed on to him this year that he was unfamiliar with. Gave it a listen and said Holy Shit.....these guys are awesome......they need to come to Atlanta and play this year.

THAT, is what progpower is about. Last year I was excited about seeing Evergrey for the first time. I honestly wasn't very familiar with too many of the other bands. Instead of bitching that there weren't bands that I knew better (and had seen before) I went with an open mind eager to see new bands. I had my ass thoroughly kicked. I was so into it that by Sunday morning I could hardly walk


I think that judging from the past 7 years of lineups, progpower always brings some big names. It also brings some names that aren't big YET. To me it's way cooler to say I saw After Forever in their North American debut than it is to say I saw Dream Theater for the 47th time. (don't get me wrong, I love Dream Theater and would gladly see them 47 times.....which I haven't hehe)


Anyway.....this is one fan at least who loves the vibe of the show and will keep on coming as long as Glenn has the energy to keep it going.

 

[BlackRoseMetalHeart]

ProgPower: The Premier Metal Festival for Open-Minded Metalheads!

 

[Jibrille]

ProgPower: The Premier Metal Festival for Open-Minded Metalheads!

ehhhhh.... I think quite a few debates have proven that not quite true.

 

[Metaldrumz]

Pretty childish when people get insulted that have a difference of opinion.

Theres a TON of names left in the METAL community to play this fest.

Mystic Prophecy added to Chicago fest for example.

I dont wanna debate it, and I'll never question Glenns decisions. Hes the business man, and theres a reason his festival is successful.

But if someone has a different opinion than you get over it.

 

[nailz]

I look forward to the show this year, but that is a huuuge exaggeration. The people on this forum are not representative of the average metalhead. I don't think it's a stretch to say lots of real metalheads haven't heard After Forever or Pagan's Mind.

As I said, love the fest, but I think Enigma's way off mark there.

I'm going to have to agree, I consider myself to have the 'slightest interest in metal', and to be honest, I've only heard of Sonata, Primal Fear, Virgin Steele and After Forever, and Pagan's Mind on the lineup, the rest of these bands are totally new to me. Out of those 5, I've only heard material from 4 of them. This happens every year for me. There's maybe 3 bands I'm familar with on each lineup, and maybe 2 I'm looking forward to seeing before the concert. The other bands are a mystery to me and sometimes leave me with a great impression, sometimes not.

 

[Jim LotFP]

"Big bands" are sometimes like Budweiser, a careful formula tested through and through to ensure that they meet the needs of a massive number of palates, but aren't the favorite of any of them.

ooo, that's good.

 

[MetalRose]

To be honest, I think bands coming back every 2 years is too soon for me. BUT... I'm not one to bitch about it. I think Glenns doing a great job of getting "known" and unknown bands out to the fest as well as those that don't/can't tour the US.

-Metal

 

[SavaVIDude]

Wouldn't Sonata be considered as big as Edguy or Symph X??

 

[VenomGA]

Wouldn't Sonata be considered as big as Edguy or Symph X??

Hell I would think so!

 

[DT Jesus]

Touchy subject, but here goes. I've dropped a few unflattering opinions about the Fest's lineup this year and recent years. (Nothing to do with the names not being "big" enough, btw.) You can call it a lack of open-mindedness if you want, I don't think that's exactly the issue. Some people go to concerts for different reasons. This board appears to be full of folk who flat-out love live metal music. Seems like even if a band isn't their favorite, they look forward to energetic shows ... just taking in the performance and the environment is fun and a big reason to be there.

I guess I'm in the minority, but live music only really interests me when it's bands I love ... to hear songs I adore performed right in front of me, surrounded by people who share the same appreciation for the emotional and dramatic weight of something I generally just listen to in my car or living room. Thus, seeing PoS was like a religious experience. Seeing Edguy up close and personal was amazing. Jon Oliva doing Sava stuff, Angra doing Holy Land stuff ... moments to live for. Meanwhile, Blind Guardian ignoring Somewhere Far Beyond ruined that show for me. And bands I only "sorta like" just don't get me worked up at all. And same story with bands I don't know well -- and I contend this isn't closed-mindedness (c'mon, is a live setting really how you want to get to know a band?).

I don't know. To me there's just that top tier of music that is really special to me and worth a 5-day vacation and $1,200 to go be a part of, then there's a second tier that, sure, is definitely better than anything on the radio, but not something I'm interested in making a pilgrammage for. (Maybe those tiers are further apart for me than for others?) There's bands I've wanted to see and haven't yet, too ... that can lead to some misplaced frustration, I suppose. And I just don't see myself ever developing an emotional tie to bands like Primal Fear, After Forever, Redemption, Pagan's Mind, Firewind, Raintime, or Communic. That can further the frustration. I would love to be proven wrong, though -- one can never have enough special music in his life.

 

[Meteornotes]

^I can understand that. I guess I'm the opposite, though. I love it when a band I don't know anything about comes out on stage and blows me away with their performance. And I love seeing new bands and hearing new music. Sure, I have my favorites (I could see a Savatage performance every year and never get tired of it), but I find at most festivals I go to, I'm often more interested in and more entertained by the new bands rather than the stars/repeats. Just my dumb opinion, of course...

dt

 

[adaher]

I love it when bands surprise me as well, but for the money I lay down for this festival, I have to know that at the very least I'm getting something I know will be great at the end of each night for 90-120 headbanging minutes. Sonata Arctica is a great choice for a headliner. After Forever, while I'm sure they sell well, doesn't strike me as attracting the same people who listen to bands like Sonata and Pagan's Mind and Primal Fear.

 

[rcknchairLee]

I for one hope you never give it up Glenn. As I've told you every year, I think you do a tremendous job bringing us a great mix every year. I have never been disappointed after any PP yet, and expect I never will be. To hell with the naysayers. Us true metal heads ALWAYS appreciate your hard work and diligence to bring us the best festival in the USA period. And as I tell you every year I really appreciate all the efforts you make on my behalf, because of you I'm able to sit back in my wheelchair and rock my ass off. THANK YOU for all your efforts past, present & future.

Lee (rockingchair) Webb

 

[Wyvern]

To add some fuel the fire.

An argument here is that: I have seen Band X four years in a row. Good for you, and what for those which come for the first time to the festival? Maybe they want "brand names", and some veterans my want it too.

I'm not saying Glenn is wrong, actually he's doing a very good thing opening the space for upcoming bands. That means the festival is on decline? No, just changed the format.

That works for me? Maybe not, but my vote is only one so I have to settle for what the majority approved. So my view is that both the original poster and the person he was discussing with were right...and wrong.

NP: Maninnya Blade - 'Metal Pride'

 

[Greykiller]

In all fairness-- all the bands that you might be referring to are completely able to tour on their own in the US.. When Glenn started doing this 7 years ago NONE of these bands could headline. Now you have Kamelot, Nightwish, Sonata, Epica, Edguy, Sy X ALL headlining shows.. It becomes very hard to do something different.. The big names are ALL over here-- Glenn keeps doing different things by bringing other bands over here for their North American Debut.. Im sure in a few years we will see After Forever here in the US as a regular draw--

To extend what you say...Glenn MAKES headliners...he does not have to bring them in every year!

 

[Perpet]

I'm going to have to agree, I consider myself to have the 'slightest interest in metal', and to be honest, I've only heard of Sonata, Primal Fear, Virgin Steele and After Forever, and Pagan's Mind on the lineup, the rest of these bands are totally new to me. Out of those 5, I've only heard material from 4 of them. This happens every year for me. There's maybe 3 bands I'm familar with on each lineup, and maybe 2 I'm looking forward to seeing before the concert. The other bands are a mystery to me and sometimes leave me with a great impression, sometimes not.

Redemption alone makes the trip worthwhile for me If you haven't heard any Redemtion stuff, I have a feeling you will be VERY pleasently surprised.

 

[SharkBlack]

Wouldn't Sonata be considered as big as Edguy or Symph X??

Definitely!

 

[SharkBlack]

I love it when bands surprise me as well, but for the money I lay down for this festival, I have to know that at the very least I'm getting something I know will be great at the end of each night for 90-120 headbanging minutes. Sonata Arctica is a great choice for a headliner. After Forever, while I'm sure they sell well, doesn't strike me as attracting the same people who listen to bands like Sonata and Pagan's Mind and Primal Fear.

I dig all 4 of those bands but Primal Fear is not quite as creative to me...
After Forever has more similarities to Pagan's Mind than differences...

Did I tell everyone how much I think this year's line up is the best I've seen?

It blends all my favorite styles...:Smokin:

Oh yeah I have said that a million times haven't I...

 

[Bryan316]

I couldn't fairly pick one year as a favorite, except for seeing Manticora. But if I picked my favorite headliners, then Edguy, Blind Guardian, Rage, and Sym X would have to be a perfect weekend. Maybe throw in Kamelot and Angra... heh heh!

But while Glenn doesn't have a return "big name" headliner, Sonata Arctica and Primal Fear are certainly gonna feed my headbangin needs!

 

[aztattooedsean]

I went to Progpower IV and V. I went each year only really knowing a few bands. I came home both years fans of so many bands that I had only started to reasearch just 6 months prior to the actual fest.

I love the idea of metalfests such as progpower. I get to see rare performances. I get to meet up with far away friends as if it is a yearly high school reunion. I get to support a promoter that loves what he is doing plus bands that like to hang out amongst their fans.