Where do you think it should be?

[MEGALOUD]

I Like the idea of having the NIGHTMARE METAL FEST in Florida over spring break, but if you have a better idea, I'm always open to hearing it, if you know of a great room for this, in a market that you think is better, or you just think a different time of the year may be more appropriate for whatever reason.
Let the ideas flow, now is the time!

 

[Dolamite S. Biffle]

I think Tampa is a thriving metal community from what I have heard, so why not have it there.

 

[MEGALOUD]

that is of course where the last one was or just outside Tampa anyway,
so likely this will be where it is unless we find a new mecca of metal.

 

[johan68]

Let's keep it where it was (as I live 20 minutes from the venue). However, another great spot around Tampa is Boomerz Boiler Room in Seminole. A little easier to get to than Bourbon Street. The Garage in downtown St. Pete is also a decent spot.

 

[MEGALOUD]

what are your thoughts about THE STATE THEATER?

 

[SavaVIDude]

what are your thoughts about THE STATE THEATER?

I saw Savatage there on WOM tour. It was a cool place - bigger than Bourbon St., as I remember. Of course, I could be wrong, as I was there during my drinking dayz!!

Chris

 

[SavaRon]

I've been to the state theatre many times. Decent place, no seating at all on the main floor. Some rails and barriers to lean on. The balcony is nice with some couches and stools up there. They don't open it all the time though. You would have to get a pretty big crowd for that. Sound is muddy most of the time, but that could be the sound guys?

Parking is good at night, bad during the day. I'm pretty sure there are some hotels pretty close by. They are going to be a lot more expensive in downtown St. Pete than in NPR. You probably would get more walk-up ticket sales there than at Bourbon Street. Then again, Bourbon Street is getting more and more national acts in the last year and becoming known as a good place for a show. I am a little biased because I live a few miles from Boubon Street!

I personally would have it at Bourbon Street at least one more year. It did alright last year with not much promotion. A little more push and I could see it doing really well there. The sound is better there. More seating, and you can kind of get away from the music a little bit with the back bar area and the side where the merch was. I think thats good with a festival running many hours.

Any other questions, let me know.

 

[johan68]

State Theatre is great but I'm thinking a bit too big for Nightmare Metal Fest. Maybe if you got a rather well known headliner one night. I would think it is twice or three times the size of Bourbon Street.

 

[J-Man]

I am open to any place in Tampa, as I don't know the area, maybe Zak Stevens or Mitch can shed some light on the places or maybe Johan can provide a list of good places.

 

[Mustang]

I'd really love to see some big metal event come to peoria IL. There's alot of metal fans here. Yet no one's able to bring much in.

Also California would be a great place to do one.

 

[J-Man]

Come on folks let Lance know, not just your preference, but give some good reasons, and provide a list of Venues.

 

[MEGALOUD]

Well I don't want to sound like I'm begging here, but simply put, there is a lot of work that goes into a show like this and a lot of time and money.

It would be nice to see some interest, before I put in 6 months of time and resources into it, otherwise it's hard to justify.

 

[J-Man]

Well, My brother you have my interest, and my help for anything you need.

 

[General Zod]

It would seem to me, that competing with Spring Break will raise the costs for those traveling to the festival. Flights to Florida and hotel rooms all go up during this peek period. That said, unless the festival is in NJ/NY/PA, I won't be able to go, due to to school.

Zod

 

[usaprogmusic]

Well, there are already festivals in the south (ProgPower USA in Atlanta), and California (BARfest), and Chicago Powerfest in the midwest, why not bring it to NJ/NY/PA area? There are plenty of great venues such as Trocadero (Philly), Dexter's (NJ), BB King's (NYC) to have a metal festival and there is a huge metal fanbase & some great bands in the Northeast. People from New England and Virginia would probably travel for it. I actually was thinking about putting together a festival up here so I could help if you did bring it here.

 

[Rider of Theli]

Hey J-Man, what is there in El Paso? Didn't you tell me before of a great venue out there? and that there are droves of metal fans begging for something like this?

ZOD is right about the Spring Break 'peek season' prices going up on everything from airlines to hotels. The only reason I would think to have it in Tampa at that time is with the hopes of getting some bored Spring breakers to check the show out at the last minute. But that's also not guaranteed ticket sales either. Lots to consider. hmmm...

What about Saint Louis, MO? Nice central U.S. location with a rich history and lots to see and do. I'd have to research the facilities there for you.

Oh, wait... I did get some info on a nice theater recently in the Pittsburgh area. Let me get more info on that and I'll get back to you over the weekend.

 

[J-Man]

It would seem to me, that competing with Spring Break will raise the costs for those traveling to the festival. Flights to Florida and hotel rooms all go up during this peek period. That said, unless the festival is in NJ/NY/PA, I won't be able to go, due to to school.

Zod

Good Idea that you and Hoyt have, i will check it out today.

 

[Kimavir]

I think Spring Break is just a weird time to do it. It looks good on paper because a lot of younger fans a freed up, the entire week could be made into a vacation by some, etc. However, I don't know if appealing to the school/vacationing crowd is worth the increased travel and hotel prices (raising the festival's costs). On top of that, spring break was actually the only thing that stopped me from attending last year. Since my family was suddenly freed of the obligations of school, I was pulled into a family vacation. That scenario could affect the oldest potential attendee.

I don't know, maybe was worth it last year. However, I just don't see the fanbase of this genre as young enough to warrant the spring break timing. I mean, I've been going to ProgPower since I was 15, and my friends and I felt very, very young for several years.

I'm clueless on location though. I'm stuck here in Northwest Arkansas with nary a metal venue in sight.

 

[Comic Book Dude]

I really enjoyed the show at Bourbon Street, and I don't see why it couldn't be held there for at least another year.....by then, the fest will be too big for that venue, right? With more promotion and word of mouth (that's up to us!), there's no reason why attendance can't increase over last year. There's a pretty good metal community here (Symphony X/ Epica drew a great crowd at the State Theater), and who wouldn't want to come to Florida over Spring Break? I say the Tampa area should continue as the site for Nightmare Fest!

 

[dcowboys311]

Bringing this festival to the Northeast would probably be overkill for them. They already have Maryland Deathfest, New England Metal and Hardcore Festival, and a few other annual fests. Now they probably have a different fanbase than Nightmare Festival has...but you want this festival to stand out. Not just become "oh, another metal festival is in town."

Now as for having it during Spring Break in Florida...that's probably not worth the extra work. For starters, many schools have their spring breaks at different times, so there is no guarantee that you'll be drawing those kids in. Also, most 19-22 year olds who go on vacation for Spring Break would rather get liquored up with their friends than go to a metal festival. Or at least most of my friends would, so I'm assuming it's like that for the general population. So the additional draw is very small in compared to the increased flight, hotel, etc costs.

I don't recall hearing about any festival in the Texas area this year like Madfest last year, and I'm pretty sure that had a decent turnout. Maybe Nightmare could take its spot?