Taking the wife to see TSO this Saturday...

[Pellaz]

I would assume you're seeing the East Coast group, seeing as how it'll be in Atlanta and whatnot. I saw them in Chicago the day after Thanksgiving. It's the Caffery-fronted group, and the other musicians include Joel Hoekstra (Night Ranger) on lead guitar, Jeff Plate on drums, and Dave Z on bass. Paul O'Neill made an appearance at the show I attended, but I don't know if he's appearing at every stop. It's a very good show. The second half is really Savatage-heavy.

No, Atlanta is getting TSO-West this year. Source: Johnny Lee Middleton on FB.

West Coast Line-up is just as awesome as the East Coast Line-up Al Pitrelli, Angus Clark on guitars, Johnny Lee Middleton on Bass, Vitalij Kuprij on Keyboards, Jeff Scott Soto on vocals.

According to their schedule on Dec 11 they are in Birmingham Al for two shows, and also Tampa Florida, for two shows so you may get The East Coast group or the West Coast.

It's West. Which is fine with me. I'll bring some Vitalij Kuprij CDs to get autographed afterwards. (!)

As a reminder to those new to the TSO tours, there will be a scheduled meet'n'greet after the show.
I'm hoping I can stay long enough for it; I'll have to head down and do WREKage at some point and the studio is a solid 30 min. south of there.

 

[BenMech]

Not that I'd be there, but I imagine the TSO setlist is still mainly the Christmas albums, and neither Beethoven nor Last Castle, right?

 

[J-Man]

Not that I'd be there, but I imagine the TSO setlist is still mainly the Christmas albums, and neither Beethoven nor Last Castle, right?

Wrong, they do a few songs from Beethoven, and have done some from Last Castle, and some Savatage songs.

 

[1000 Faces]

Not that I'd be there, but I imagine the TSO setlist is still mainly the Christmas albums, and neither Beethoven nor Last Castle, right?

Very little from BLN (just "Requiem," I believe) and a bit from Night Castle, most of which are the Savatage songs ("The Mountain," "Mozart and Memories," and "Believe"). They played all of BLN this spring and I suspect that they don't want to repeat themselves.

 

[Qrusher14242]

i've seen the west group 3 times and it was always a good show. But i havent gone since 08 cause for me it got a little stale. I wish they came out west with the Beethoven's Night tour, i would of saw that show.

They also aren't coming to Fresno this year for some reason. Its been years since they've skipped it.

 

[Diamond45]

Dave -

Everybody pretty much said what needed to be said. I've seen them 4 times and each time is amazing. You and your wife will be in for a GREAT show. It's a concert like no other. Though they REALLY do try to play to the audience - including playing IN the audience. For example - I was on the floor 2nd row from the stage. Chris Caffery played to the row in front of us. I mean he was within inches of them! I could have reached out and touched him if I wanted to - that's how close he was!

Oh, don't be surprised if you see people dressed up thinking it's a real orchestra!! I've gone in my PP USA T-shirt and had a great time. Chris saw my shirt and pointed to me, so he knows I was "into it" if you know what I mean!

Part 1 - Christmas themed metal show (a fictionalized Christmas story)
Part 2 - Maintreamed metal show with a lot of Savatage songs repackaged for a mainstream audience.

If you want something signed - take it with you and go to the "meet and greet" afterwards. I had my CD booklet for Night Castle signed by the entire TSO east group that toured in 2009.

HAVE FUN!

 

[Diamond45]

Yay! It will be my first TSO concert, and Haley's first ever concert.

I was wondering when you and Glenn were going to break her in to the concert scene, so to speak!

You'll all have a GREAT time. I like to call it a fusion of power, progressive and symphonic metal with Christmas. Over all you'll have so much fun that you'll want to come back next year!

 

[ICEDEARTHFAN]

Dave -

Everybody pretty much said what needed to be said. I've seen them 4 times and each time is amazing. You and your wife will be in for a GREAT show. It's a concert like no other. Though they REALLY do try to play to the audience - including playing IN the audience. For example - I was on the floor 2nd row from the stage. Chris Caffery played to the row in front of us. I mean he was within inches of them! I could have reached out and touched him if I wanted to - that's how close he was!

Oh, don't be surprised if you see people dressed up thinking it's a real orchestra!! I've gone in my PP USA T-shirt and had a great time. Chris saw my shirt and pointed to me, so he knows I was "into it" if you know what I mean!

Part 1 - Christmas themed metal show (a fictionalized Christmas story)
Part 2 - Maintreamed metal show with a lot of Savatage songs repackaged for a mainstream audience.

If you want something signed - take it with you and go to the "meet and greet" afterwards. I had my CD booklet for Night Castle signed by the entire TSO east group that toured in 2009.

HAVE FUN!

Cool.Thanks for the advice,Dave.I've been debating on whether I should wear a metal shirt or not

 

[miel]

I was wondering when you and Glenn were going to break her in to the concert scene, so to speak!

Well, she's just 11, so we will break her in slowly, for sure! We thought that TSO would be the perfect first concert for her.

~Jen

 

[Pellaz]

Cool.Thanks for the advice,Dave.I've been debating on whether I should wear a metal shirt or not

Absolutely!

Although just this once, I probably won't bust out an Immortal or a Dimmu Borgir tee.

Well, she's just 11, so we will break her in slowly, for sure! We thought that TSO would be the perfect first concert for her.

~Jen

And the nice thing is, earplugs might not be required. I'll bring a pair just in case, but I remember seeing TSO from mid-floor a few years ago at the Gwinnett Arena and removing my earplugs after the first song -- the sound level was PERFECT. Very impressive for an arena show even if it was half-house on that tour.

 

[Frode]

Well, she's just 11, so we will break her in slowly, for sure! We thought that TSO would be the perfect first concert for her.

~Jen

And last... ha ha. Nothing tops TSO show-wise. When she gets to see whatever else later, she'll be asking; "where's the lights and pyro and laser and smoke and bombs and risers and everything? This is boooooring!!!"

 

[Diamond45]

And the nice thing is, earplugs might not be required. I'll bring a pair just in case, but I remember seeing TSO from mid-floor a few years ago at the Gwinnett Arena and removing my earplugs after the first song -- the sound level was PERFECT. Very impressive for an arena show even if it was half-house on that tour.

I found that earplugs were NOT required - even the second row from the stage! They redirected sound so you didn't get a direct blast of it. In fact from where I was sitting, it was a bit too quiet! Probably sounded better further back though.

 

[grogg]

We had great seats for the Greenville show last Saturday - 3rd row floor center section. It was our first time seeing TSO. You shouldn't have a problem with the sound level - it was perfect. Someone mentioned the bright lights and there were a couple of times they shone directly in your eyes and it was pretty bright. If you are very close up front you may want a pair of sunglasses handy.

Chris saw my ProgPower shirt and pointed and gave me a big thumbs up. A lady 3 seats over from me had on a Savatage shirt and he made a comment about it in between songs. He is very interactive with the crowd. Take your camera - I got a lot of great shots.

 

[ICEDEARTHFAN]

Absolutely!

Although just this once, I probably won't bust out an Immortal or a Dimmu Borgir tee.



I was thinking more along the lines of my Dio "Horns" shirt.While not Immortal or Dimmu it definitely will get some second looks

 

[VenomGA]

so what did everyone think of TSO in the ATL on Friday night besides Jeff Scott Soto STOLE the show????

 

[esa]

Allen and I were talking "bucket lists" the other day -- bands we'd want to shoot before we die.

Both of us have TSO on that list. For those that didn't know, NOBODY gets a "photo pass" to TSO. NOTHING is permitted to interfere with the performance or risk degrading the audience experience. Only handful of people have gotten to shoot TSO live with pro gear, but they have been long-distance sniping opportunities (usually from the sound/light corral.)

Here's my point-and-shoot spray-and-pray photo crop from Atlanta:

http://esa.ahola.net/Live/TSO-Gwinnett-2010/

 

[grogg]

Here's a few pics using my crappy camera....

 

[spag]

I'm bummed I couldn't go last night. Finals week ahead, and just couldn't take the day to do it. Hopefully next year...

 

[miel]

That intro was so awesome - great photo!! I really enjoyed my first TSO show - the production and effects were simply amazing. I thought the fiddle player was fantastic, as well as Jeff Scott Soto. I literally had to keep Glenn seated whenever he was on the stage.

~Jen

 

[Harvester]

Conversation with my 11 year-old daughter during her first ever concert...

Haley: Dad, how big is your show?
Me: Well, there are 9,000+ people here. My show is for 1,500.
Haley: Oh (quietly).

*sigh*

(five minutes later)

Haley: You know people. Can you get me Lady Gaga tickets?

*sigh again*