Thread: Gig, Concerts and Festivals

Any music lovers out there? Thought we could share some experiences.

I tend to go to a festival every year, been to Download fest twice and Sonisphere UK once. Both heavy rock and metal fests if you don't know of them. Seen quite a lot of bands.

Best gig ever was seeing The Cure in Royal Albert Hall in 2011.

I've only been to Bloodstock, and that was back in 2010. Absolutely insane line up (though it was sad with the death of Dio - Opeth did an amazing tribute to him though). I was with a bunch of people who didn't drink though, so I get the feeling I didn't get the full "festival experience".

As for favourite gig, probably my first which was the Unholy Alliance II tour in Brixton. Wasn't all that big into heavier metal at the time, but it was still a really fantastic experience. Kind of kicking myself that I didn't like In Flames and Lamb of God sooner D=

Originally Posted by Quietus

I've only been to Bloodstock, and that was back in 2010. Absolutely insane line up (though it was sad with the death of Dio - Opeth did an amazing tribute to him though). I was with a bunch of people who didn't drink though, so I get the feeling I didn't get the full "festival experience".

As for favourite gig, probably my first which was the Unholy Alliance II tour in Brixton. Wasn't all that big into heavier metal at the time, but it was still a really fantastic experience. Kind of kicking myself that I didn't like In Flames and Lamb of God sooner D=

I was at Download in 2010 shortly after Dio died, a lot of tributes to him over the weekend. Killswitch Engage finished with a cover of Holy Diver which was really cool, sad at the same time though. I feel the same, my friends aren't big drinkers really. I managed to get them drunk a couple times but just didn't feel like enough after all the stories you hear from fests. Who was at Bloodstock in 2010?

Also noticed your Dream Theater pic, you ever seen them live? I saw them at Download in 09 but it was a really short set, you need longer with Dream Theater, most their songs are over 10 minutes long lol.

Originally Posted by LbV

Who was at Bloodstock in 2010?

The headliners were Opeth (filling in for Heaven and Hell after Dio died), Children Of Bodom and Twisted Sister, with other notable acts being Fear Factory, Meshuggah, Cannibal Corpse, Devin Townsend <3, GWAR and Ensiferum. Sonata Arctica were a personal favourite of mine, but their performance at Bloodstock was pretty bad. It really was an awesome lineup (at least for me) and the last few years really haven't managed to top it.

Originally Posted by LbV

Also noticed your Dream Theater pic, you ever seen them live? I saw them at Download in 09 but it was a really short set, you need longer with Dream Theater, most their songs are over 10 minutes long lol.

Not yet T_T lol. I really wanted to see them in February but we didn't get organised in time. Also it was a seated gig and I don't much care for those. How were they at Download? I can't really imagine them being a popular band at festivals for the main reason that their songs are so long (at least Opeth were headlining so they got almost 2 hours to play their set)

i've never been to a festival, i want to but my mother thinks i'm to young
i've been to many gigs but all from different genres so it's hard to choose wich the best one is, but i think it's chase & status or chickenfoot.

Nice to see some British metalheads in these forums! I've been to Reading 4 times, Download once (VIP due to a bandmate's dad's kick-ass connections), Give It A Name once, and Sziget festival in Budapest.

Download was especially insane, it's such a better social atmosphere than Reading. I think 09 was the year I went as well, but unfortunately I was too young to appreciate Dream Theatre's awesomeness at the time and missed them. Hate it when that happens.

Anyone been to any European festivals? So many around the continent that I wish I could go to this summer (name Exit and Outlook)...

Originally Posted by Quietus

Not yet T_T lol. I really wanted to see them in February but we didn't get organised in time. Also it was a seated gig and I don't much care for those. How were they at Download? I can't really imagine them being a popular band at festivals for the main reason that their songs are so long (at least Opeth were headlining so they got almost 2 hours to play their set)

Yeah, you can't be seated for heavy music.. just isn't right. Sucks neither of us got to see them properly while Portnoy was still with them, what's he doing now? Didn't he go to Avenged Sevenfold for a bit?

They were really good at download but as I said they had such a short set and my friend, who wasn't a big DT fan at the time just sat there complaining that their songs were too long. -_____- I was going to get revenge and do the same for him during ZZ Top but I was too busy enjoying the music.

This was DT's Download setlist:

Pull Me Under
Constant Motion
A Rite Of Passage
Hollow Years
Metropolis Pt. 1: The Miracle and the Sleeper

Originally Posted by moSh

Nice to see some British metalheads in these forums! I've been to Reading 4 times, Download once (VIP due to a bandmate's dad's kick-ass connections), Give It A Name once, and Sziget festival in Budapest.

Download was especially insane, it's such a better social atmosphere than Reading. I think 09 was the year I went as well, but unfortunately I was too young to appreciate Dream Theatre's awesomeness at the time and missed them. Hate it when that happens.

Anyone been to any European festivals? So many around the continent that I wish I could go to this summer (name Exit and Outlook)...

How was VIP? (You lucky lucky person...) Which bands did you see? Motley Crue were probably my highlight of that year, they were awesome.

I've only been to Download and Soni, would love to do more of the european fests though. When I win the lottery...

VIP was unreal. Met a shit load of bands and got tons of free merch (probably should have stayed with band, thinking about it!)

Well that's what's good about lots of the European festivals, they're so much cheaper. Sziget is the biggest festival in Europe I think, so it was a bit more expensive at 40 euroes for a day, but it's SO huge that we just fell asleep at about 8am (dance tents dont end til about 7) on some hill in the sun, woke up a few hours later, and avoided the marshals for another day. I highly recommend it!

Originally Posted by moSh

VIP was unreal. Met a shit load of bands and got tons of free merch (probably should have stayed with band, thinking about it!)

Well that's what's good about lots of the European festivals, they're so much cheaper. Sziget is the biggest festival in Europe I think, so it was a bit more expensive at 40 euroes for a day, but it's SO huge that we just fell asleep at about 8am (dance tents dont end til about 7) on some hill in the sun, woke up a few hours later, and avoided the marshals for another day. I highly recommend it!

So cool that you got VIP, I'm very jealous... I would really like to do some different fests but I'm happy with what we have in the UK, better than most other places. Although so far, I'm not doing a festival this year, Download lineup doesn't inspire me much.

Other than festivals the only bands I've seen are The Cure (3 times), I saw Jonsi (lead singer from Sigur Ros) when he toured his solo album and not too long ago I went to see a up and coming blues singer/guitarist called Chantel McGregor. If you're into that kind of bluesy rock you should definitely check her out, she does a lot of covers of Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, Robin Trower, that kind of thing. She was nice enough to do a meet and greet so I got a signed CD.

Just checked out that Chantel McGregor, very nice sound. I used to drum in a blues rock/spanish guitar band not too disimilar to that.

Gigging used to be a massive part of my life, but can't really afford it any more. Seeing Asking Alexandria at my uni this month, and I saw A Day To Remember/August Burns Red the other month, but that's about it in the last year. I must have been to about 30/40 gigs in my mid-teens though, namely Enter Shikari 5 times (usually supporting other bands), Billy Talent 3, Metallica, Mastodon, Trivium, Killswitch, all sorts. Plus all the drum and bass/dubstep acts that I've been to.

You play an instrument?

Glad you like her, she's amazing, very friendly and talkative to her fans too which is awesome.

Your taste is a lot heavier than mine, I do listen to a lot of metal but I tend to listen to more classic rock than anything else. Led Zep, Cream, Pink Floyd, The Who, The Beatles, Free, Rolling Stones. Stuff like that. I've just started getting into dubstep and can't believe it's taken me this long.

I can kind of play drums, took lessons a long time ago. I've been playing bass for just over half a year and slowly teaching myself guitar too. Nothing as satisfying as playing an instrument.

Originally Posted by moSh

Enter Shikari 5 times (usually supporting other bands)

I've heard Enter Shikari are insane live. Even friends who aren't big fans of hardcore or metalcore loved their performances. You seem to have a slightly different taste in metal to me. I grew up listening to power metal (Blind Guardian, Helloween and that sort of stuff), then moved on to Melodic Death Metal (In Flames, Bodom, Kalmah, Insomnium etc.) Recently i've been getting into a lot more technical and progressive stuff like Dream Theater, Born Of Osirs etc.

Originally Posted by LbV

Sucks neither of us got to see them properly while Portnoy was still with them, what's he doing now? Didn't he go to Avenged Sevenfold for a bit?

This was DT's Download setlist:

Pull Me Under
Constant Motion
A Rite Of Passage
Hollow Years
Metropolis Pt. 1: The Miracle and the Sleeper

He was in Avenged Sevenfold for their new album and the tour that followed it. I think he thought he was going to be a permanent member because he ended up getting a Death bat tattoo on his leg, but obviously they wanted someone a little younger to fill the Rev's shoes. I think he's doing stuff with other artists atm.

I can't say im much of a fan of that set list. Metropolis pt1 and Pull Me Under seem the only songs I would really enjoy hearing (I really dislike A Rite Of Passage lol)

Ahh that's cool, I adore Pink Floyd and progressive rock in general. Well bands like Machine Head and Trivium were the type of band I was most into back then, but I'm more into progressive metal (bands like Tesseract and Animals As Leaders - who are entirely instrumental), melodic metalcore like Underoath etc. and then ambient/trip-hop or liquid drum & bass. I try to keep an open mind about all music (though tween pop is a bit too much, I think)

Oh that's cool that you're doing all 3. I've drummed for about 12 years now and picking up a new instrument is way to stressful to even bother with. Going back to basics just gets so frustrating. I make electronic music though, bit of trip-hop and sometimes a bit of dubstep, but I'm no more than an amateur.

They are indeed insane, you can really tell they just love doing what the do, and they don't seem to be getting bored even after so many years. I'm still a huge fan of In Flames - they're one of the only childhood bands which I haven't had the fortune of seeing. But yeah, tech metal/progressive metal/DJENT are definitely my favourite at the moment, with the top 3 being Tesseract, Periphery and Osiris. Bummed about Tesseract's new singer though...

Got to love a bit of Periphery, they're the support for Dream Theater in February (which is another reason I'm bumbed I couldn't get tickets =[).

Decided I needed to get back into going to gigs, so I booked a few last night:
-Devil wears Prada (Glasgow)
-Parkway Drive (Glasgow)

Good way to start the new year I think =D

Originally Posted by Quietus

Decided I needed to get back into going to gigs, so I booked a few last night:
-Devil wears Prada (Glasgow)
-Parkway Drive (Glasgow)

I love Parkway Drive, and loved DWP's first album, but I can't really get past the low-pitched screams on the second album. I probably just need to listen to it a few more times, but it's such a shame as they're so talented.

Originally Posted by LbV

Parkway Drive, Devil Wears Prada and In Flames are all bands I've been recommend but never actually listened to. Maybe I should get onto that...

Yeah, DT's set wasn't really best for a festival. They needed to get the crowd pleasers out quickly really. Disappointed they didn't play Panic Attack.

In Flames have arguably gotten worse over the years, but I still really enjoy their later albums. I recommend The Jester Race and Colony albums. They manage to find the perfect blend of heaviness and melody. Moonshield has some beautiful acoustic work in it. As for Parkway Drive and TDWP, i can't really recommend anything in particular. I guess if you ever have the time, just give them a try. Might find you like it =]

Originally Posted by moSh

I love Parkway Drive, and loved DWP's first album, but I can't really get past the low-pitched screams on the second album. I probably just need to listen to it a few more times, but it's such a shame as they're so talented.

I consider Parkway Drive the best of the best when it comes to metalcore. They just do everything right! As for the TDWP, I think they have got better with each album. The Zombie EP will probably remain my favourite CD of theirs (if only for the concept), but I do find the screamers voice a little annoying. As a band though, I am looking forward to seeing them. I haven't been to metalcore gig since I was a wee boy of 18 haha

Parkway Drive, Devil Wears Prada and In Flames are all bands I've been recommend but never actually listened to. Maybe I should get onto that...

Yeah, DT's set wasn't really best for a festival. They needed to get the crowd pleasers out quickly really. Disappointed they didn't play Panic Attack.

I'm hoping Deftones come to UK this year, keep checking their site for tour updates but nothing yet. They were at Download in 2010 I think, caught half the gig but wasn't half the fan I am now.

Parkway Drive are definitely up there in the list of the metalcore geniuses, but I'd give the top spots to Underoath (if you class them in the same list, perhaps too post-hardcore to compare with Parkway) and Oh, Sleeper. Oh, Sleeper have to be one of the most underrated metalcore bands at the moment (in Britain anyway, don't know about America). Constantly haunting melodies and lyrics, healthy amounts of heaviness and insane technical ability - just all-out original.

Originally Posted by moSh

Oh, Sleeper have to be one of the most underrated metalcore bands at the moment (in Britain anyway, don't know about America). Constantly haunting melodies and lyrics, healthy amounts of heaviness and insane technical ability - just all-out original.

How have I never heard this band before? o-O The songs I listened to on youtube were insane. I do love haunting and depressing bands. The Sorrow write some pretty awesome stuff (they're basically a more depressing version of Killswitch Engage lol)

Originally Posted by Quietus

How have I never heard this band before? o-O The songs I listened to on youtube were insane. I do love haunting and depressing bands. The Sorrow write some pretty awesome stuff (they're basically a more depressing version of Killswitch Engage lol)

Oh then I'll have to check them out!

Just listened to Sleep Walker by Parkway Drive and liked it immediately, that riff played just as the vocals kick in is amazing. Then listened to Born to Lose by DWP and the only thing I didn't take to was the vocals, sounds too whiney to be screaming like that. If you get what I mean.

Now listening to Moonshield by In Flames. Love melodic metal like this, they kind of remind me of Dethklok in a small way. And I know they're kind of a parody band but I have both their albums so it's a compliment. If there's any songs you think I should listen to by any of them just let me know, I just picked a random one from youtube.

EDIT: So Architects of the Black Rain is awesome, listening to the whole Jester Race album.

Originally Posted by LbV

Just listened to Sleep Walker by Parkway Drive and liked it immediately, that riff played just as the vocals kick in is amazing. Then listened to Born to Lose by DWP and the only thing I didn't take to was the vocals, sounds too whiney to be screaming like that. If you get what I mean.

Now listening to Moonshield by In Flames. Love melodic metal like this, they kind of remind me of Dethklok in a small way. And I know they're kind of a parody band but I have both their albums so it's a compliment. If there's any songs you think I should listen to by any of them just let me know, I just picked a random one from youtube.

EDIT: So Architects of the Black Rain is awesome, listening to the whole Jester Race album.

I have a bit of a problem with TDWP screaming. He's not the worst, but there are plenty who are better than him. Glad to hear you liked Parkway Drive. Karma and Boneyards are their other two popular songs which might be worth a listen.

And I love Dethklok! haha, Metalocalypse is fantastic! And I know what you mean. Toki and Swisgaar are meant to be representations of the Scandinavian melodic death metal guitarists, so they do use similar riffs to In Flames, At The Gates and Dark Tranquillity. Glad to hear you like it. Jester Race is considered their best album, and most fans will say listen to any of the first 5 albums if you enjoy it. Their sound has changed in later albums but I still enjoy it. "Crawl Through Knives" is a good indication of what they sound like now.

Originally Posted by Quietus

I have a bit of a problem with TDWP screaming. He's not the worst, but there are plenty who are better than him. Glad to hear you liked Parkway Drive. Karma and Boneyards are their other two popular songs which might be worth a listen.

And I love Dethklok! haha, Metalocalypse is fantastic! And I know what you mean. Toki and Swisgaar are meant to be representations of the Scandinavian melodic death metal guitarists, so they do use similar riffs to In Flames, At The Gates and Dark Tranquillity. Glad to hear you like it. Jester Race is considered their best album, and most fans will say listen to any of the first 5 albums if you enjoy it. Their sound has changed in later albums but I still enjoy it. "Crawl Through Knives" is a good indication of what they sound like now.

Think I will be looking into some more In Flames, now on Wayfarer from The Jester Race, this album is fantastic. It has a prog rock feel to it at times which I wasn't expecting.

Awesome to see another Dethklok fan! Toki will always be my favourite character, I think I've seen all the episodes apart from the latest series. My friends an even bigger fan and lent me all his DVD's.

"Candy, taste like chicken, if chicken was a candy."

Originally Posted by LbV

Just listened to Sleep Walker by Parkway Drive and liked it immediately, that riff played just as the vocals kick in is amazing. Then listened to Born to Lose by DWP and the only thing I didn't take to was the vocals, sounds too whiney to be screaming like that. If you get what I mean.

If you like Parkway Drive, you may like August Burns Red. They're the same level on the brutality spectrum, but I think a bit more technical (check out Composure or Meddler, or even Carol of the Bells if you're still feeling festive!). Oh and the drummer is a hero.