I'll throw in my heartfelt "Thank you" here along with everyone else. This was probably my favorite festival so far, both from a lineup, fun, hanging out with members from favorite bands, quality of performances, and every other perspective, so thanks to everyone involved in making it happen.
I hope you remember that despite the occasional bitching, we all DO greatly appreciate what you do, the time and effort you put in to make this festival the best place for metal fans.
A few comments:
- PPUSA simply gets better every year, as far as professionalism, fun, and being the best-run festival in the business. I never love every band (it's often less than half, honestly...not a "power metal" guy), but huge kudos to Glenn, the crew, *and* my fellow attendees for making it so much fun.
- Put me in for a vote for bringing Mindcrime back for next year's showcase...totally agreed. Chris absolutely blew me away, and the rest of Mindcrime was spot-on as well. I thought I saw Queensryche in DC a couple of months ago, but from a performance/quality perspective, Queensryche was in Atlanta last Wednesday. Killer show, guys.
- Thanks to the Artmore for being great this year. GREAT move in booking the whole hotel for ProgPower fans next year. Since the courtyard has apparently become the place to party, I have a recommendation for anyone who does NOT want to be part of the post-show parties....put in a request with them that you be in and "outside" room (ie. on the opposite side from the courtyard). I'm sure you'll sleep much better there. And Glenn, you might want to put the band's rooms there, too, so those who haven't played yet can get some rest.
- I'm one of those not thrilled with next year's lineup. That's life. I've been coming since ProgPower I in Chicago, and over the past few years it's become more and more Power Metal-focused, most of which does nothing for me. Seventh Wonder and Kamelot are great, but most of the rest are power, IMHO (though there are a couple with which I'm unfamiliar...but they mostly seem power-ish from the clips played on the vid).
HOWEVER, I understand that you have to do what you have to do to draw people in, and if Power draws more people, that's a business decision you have to make. I get that. If I choose not to go as a result, that's up to me. I think part of it is that this year probably had the most prog-metal bands the festival has had in 5 years or so (from memory), so maybe my expectations were too high (in the prog department) on next year following suit. Regardless, THANK YOU for keeping it going....and yeah, I'll likely be there next year even if I'm *not* thrilled about most of the bands.
-So Jim M did try to get Arch to come down? Sweet....please pass on much thanks for him making the effort. I'm actually not a huge fan of the early FW, but it still would have been wicked cool to see Arch make an appearance.
-I agree on Crimson Glory's set...although there were a few technical difficulties, given the complexity with all the different singers, etc, I thought it went off AMAZINGLY well and smoothly. Kudos to the guest singers, Crimson Glory, and the crew for making it happen...I'm sure it wasn't easy.
-I'm putting in my vote that Circus Maximus' next CD be a *DOUBLE* CD, with the second CD being all cover songs, including everything they played on Wednesday night (esp. Hold The Line and Screaming In Digital). Whether they're studio version or live, I don't care...it'd be well worth the few extra bucks it would add to the sales price of the CD. Pass along that idea, if you would.
-Smoking: Thank you. I'm all for a complete ban next year (inside the venue), but what we had this year was excellent. I'm sure it helped the singer's voices, too.
-Merch suggestions for next year: PPUSA shot glass and polo shirt (NOT black, please!!) with the logo embroidered. Possibly a hat, too (same logo as the polo shirt). Do all of them WITHOUT any sort of "ProgPower XI" year designation, then you can continue to sell any leftovers in subsequent years.
-Thanks to Shane for bringing Enchant as a replacement for Vanden Plas. I think they got a great reception, really enjoyed playing, and made some new fans. Here's hoping to see them back on the main stage soon! They may not be "standard ProgPower fare," but then again, DSO, Orphaned Land, and Freak Kitchen were all outside the "ProgPower norm" in different ways, and to me, that's a good thing.
Again, thanks!
Craig
I hope you remember that despite the occasional bitching, we all DO greatly appreciate what you do, the time and effort you put in to make this festival the best place for metal fans.
A few comments:
- PPUSA simply gets better every year, as far as professionalism, fun, and being the best-run festival in the business. I never love every band (it's often less than half, honestly...not a "power metal" guy), but huge kudos to Glenn, the crew, *and* my fellow attendees for making it so much fun.
- Put me in for a vote for bringing Mindcrime back for next year's showcase...totally agreed. Chris absolutely blew me away, and the rest of Mindcrime was spot-on as well. I thought I saw Queensryche in DC a couple of months ago, but from a performance/quality perspective, Queensryche was in Atlanta last Wednesday. Killer show, guys.
- Thanks to the Artmore for being great this year. GREAT move in booking the whole hotel for ProgPower fans next year. Since the courtyard has apparently become the place to party, I have a recommendation for anyone who does NOT want to be part of the post-show parties....put in a request with them that you be in and "outside" room (ie. on the opposite side from the courtyard). I'm sure you'll sleep much better there. And Glenn, you might want to put the band's rooms there, too, so those who haven't played yet can get some rest.
- I'm one of those not thrilled with next year's lineup. That's life. I've been coming since ProgPower I in Chicago, and over the past few years it's become more and more Power Metal-focused, most of which does nothing for me. Seventh Wonder and Kamelot are great, but most of the rest are power, IMHO (though there are a couple with which I'm unfamiliar...but they mostly seem power-ish from the clips played on the vid).
HOWEVER, I understand that you have to do what you have to do to draw people in, and if Power draws more people, that's a business decision you have to make. I get that. If I choose not to go as a result, that's up to me. I think part of it is that this year probably had the most prog-metal bands the festival has had in 5 years or so (from memory), so maybe my expectations were too high (in the prog department) on next year following suit. Regardless, THANK YOU for keeping it going....and yeah, I'll likely be there next year even if I'm *not* thrilled about most of the bands.
-So Jim M did try to get Arch to come down? Sweet....please pass on much thanks for him making the effort. I'm actually not a huge fan of the early FW, but it still would have been wicked cool to see Arch make an appearance.
-I agree on Crimson Glory's set...although there were a few technical difficulties, given the complexity with all the different singers, etc, I thought it went off AMAZINGLY well and smoothly. Kudos to the guest singers, Crimson Glory, and the crew for making it happen...I'm sure it wasn't easy.
-I'm putting in my vote that Circus Maximus' next CD be a *DOUBLE* CD, with the second CD being all cover songs, including everything they played on Wednesday night (esp. Hold The Line and Screaming In Digital). Whether they're studio version or live, I don't care...it'd be well worth the few extra bucks it would add to the sales price of the CD. Pass along that idea, if you would.
-Smoking: Thank you. I'm all for a complete ban next year (inside the venue), but what we had this year was excellent. I'm sure it helped the singer's voices, too.
-Merch suggestions for next year: PPUSA shot glass and polo shirt (NOT black, please!!) with the logo embroidered. Possibly a hat, too (same logo as the polo shirt). Do all of them WITHOUT any sort of "ProgPower XI" year designation, then you can continue to sell any leftovers in subsequent years.
-Thanks to Shane for bringing Enchant as a replacement for Vanden Plas. I think they got a great reception, really enjoyed playing, and made some new fans. Here's hoping to see them back on the main stage soon! They may not be "standard ProgPower fare," but then again, DSO, Orphaned Land, and Freak Kitchen were all outside the "ProgPower norm" in different ways, and to me, that's a good thing.
Again, thanks!
Craig
