Nearfest, anyone??

Stout

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Re: Neafest, anyone??

I`m back, so here is my review;
Day 1, June 18th:
Riverside- It was not worth the trouble to bolt down my food I had at this excellent Italian resturaunt located in Downtown Bethlehem. Riverside are from Poland, and their music was mostly metallic riffs married with some keyboard work. Yawn!!! Myself and the better half were clearly bored throughout the performance. Just because you have keyboards in your band does not mean your band is progressive.
Steve Hackett- The highlight of the whole festival. Talk about ensemble playing. All band members are quite strong players in their own right. The set was well placed with some tracks from Hackett`s new release, which is his best in years, his past solo material, and a generous helping of Genesis material. I was in my glory as the band ploughed through 'Fly On a Winshield', 'Carpet Crawlers', and the whole 'Firth of Fifth.' Genesis may be defunct and the other members may have forsaken progressive music, but Steve hackett has not. His playing is so fluid and effortless , one wonders how does he do it?
It was a pleasure to talk to Mr. Hackett and the rest of the band as they signed my cd`s. You couldn`t ask for a more humble individual than Hackett. What a gentleman! But then again, all the band members were down to earth. This was a real treat.
More to come!!
 
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Stout

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Re: Neafest, anyone??

June 19th, Day 2:
I don`t sleep well in hotels, so it`s no surprise I only received three hours sleep. Was I still pumped up from Hackett`s performance?
Astra- The San Diego band were the first act to take the stage at 11:00 AM, and needless to say, it was way too early for a head trip. With bizarre footage being shown on the projector screen, some of it culled from Jadoworsky movies, the band played these interminable space jams. If one needed a joint or possibly some acid, this was time for it. Needless to say, it was hard going , and myself and the better half headed for the exit doors after an hour of this. What was also need was better setlist pacing by the band. You don`t start off with a 36 minute track.
Forgas- They are from France and their music is mostly jazz to these ears, but it started to sound monotous after a while. No differentiation in the tracks. When your mind starts to wander, you know it`s time to vacate the premises and have lunch, which is what this boy did.
Iona- I expected this celtic influenced band to be good and they did not disappoint. Their light and brezzy style was a nice contrast from the last two acts and my mind needed a break form all that frenetic activity. Songs and melodies were also welcome too. The ullieann pipe/tin whistle player, Martin Nolan was nothing short of astounding. Ditto Joanne Hogg on vocals/keyboards, whose voice was mesmerizing and stirring. This music also appeals to this lad`s celtic heritage, and of course I had to go the signing afterwards.
I did not see the headline act, 'Three friends', due to being a bit ill. From what I understand , this band are some of the former members of Gentle Giant. So, I guess Aktivator will have to insert his review here.
More to come!!!
 

Stout

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Re: Neafest, anyone??

Day 3 June 20Th:
I still wasn`t feeling 100%, but I was going to make the most out of my hard-earned dough. So I gamely braved another day of hit or miss.
Moraine- They are from Seattle. It`s hard to classify thier music. I would say it bordered on jazz,space jamming, and it was eastern influenced. I was quite surprised and actually enjoyed their set. The violin player was quite cute as well being adept on her instrument. She reminded me of Lucy Lawless.
Pineapple Thief- This English qaurtet is highly talked about in progressive circles. Why???
All myself and the better half saw was a band with a grunge type of lead singer/guitarist. Sort of a poor man`s Kurt Cobain. And there was nothing in the songs that stood out as progressive. After three songs of this, we vacated for the food wagon.
I`m glad I never spent money on any of their cd`s prior to this. Although the money changers in the vending rooms were seeing plenty of my green. My cd shopping is done for the year.
The Enid- I was hoping for them to be fantastic, for I have a compilation of theirs. This as close to classical music as you will get within the rock framework. There were some quiet interludes at the beginningof the set that were making me drowsy, but their set became strogner as it went on. The Enid`s sound was spectacular and grand. If you are looking for true symphonic progressive music, look no further. All musicians are quite adept players and you have to be for this sort of music that is not riff or song based. These are compositions composed well by the band leader , Robert John Godfrey, who resembles more of a college professor than a musician. But by listening to the music and watching the band, his composing abilities are nothing short of astounding. The better half and I came away mesmerized and awe-struck by the power and granduer of the music.
And we also had to go the signing afterwards, where we found the band quite pleasant and gregarious. It is a shame in a world of plastic American Idol TV shows and image marketed music on the radio, music such as this is woefully overlooked.
I wasn`t still feeling all that well, so my better half and I headed for home. And of course, we missed Eddie Jobson and Universe Zero, but I was physically ill and mentally exhausted at this point.
So there you have it, when Nearfest was spectacular, it exeeded my expectations. And when it was subpar, it was trying. But all in all, it was worth it for the bands that were incredible beyond words.
 
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LG

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I feel like I was Almost at the festival with you Stout after reading your top drawer write up.:bow:

I don't know any of the bands except Steve Hackett, but I will look around for the ones you mentioned that you rated highly, especially Enid, they sound right up my alley.

Nice to see you made it home safe and sound.:cheers:
 

Aktivator

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review to come soon, my review will not agree with Stout as I thought every band at NEARfest was good to excellent.
 

Aktivator

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NEARfest 2010 -My 10th straight year of going to NEARfest and so far NEARfest has not disappointed.Over the last nine years I've not missed any bands although I've missed a few songs either from getting there a little late or leaving early for food. I don't think Ive missed anything in the last few years and didn't miss a second of NEARfest 2010.

First up Riverside
I've seen Riverside twice once at NEARfest 2006 and the following year in New Jersey, the best show. I like Riverside's new album that came out last year,Anno Domini High Definition, although it was a bit heavy for my taste however, the last two songs are gems. Riverside are a polish progresive rock band with influences from Pink Floyd and Porcupine Tree. Mariusz Duda's extraordinary vocals are what really hooks me into this band. He can be both "gently soothing and brutally powerful within the scope of the same song. Duda also handles the bass guitar duties", and I like the fact he effortlessly lays down intricate bass lines while simultaneously singing lead. The guitarist has some tasty chops along with a powerful drummer and keyboards to round out the band. Where Riverside disappoints me is that they turn up the speed and heavy sound with their live performance and forget they have some tone down melodic songs. In NJ they played a few, I Believe and Two Minds, and it made their show more enjoyable. I still loved the performance esp. Left Out and Hybrid Times.

I think this is the setlist

1.Hyperactive
2.Driven To Destruction
3.Cybernetic Pillow
4.Egoist Hedonist
5.Conceiving You
6.Parasomnia
7.Left Out
8.Dance With The Shadow
9.Rainbow Box
10.Hybrid Times
11.Rapid Eye Movement
12.02 Panic Room
13.Lucid Dream IV

Riverside
4723115288_80f87a5065.jpg

4722436969_ba7b981245.jpg


4723057716_33b85148e4.jpg
 
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LG

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I have a couple of Polish prog/metal bands in the collection AK, what album of Riverside's would you recommend as their best?

Nice pictures as usual.:tup:
 

Aktivator

aka Hightea
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I have a couple of Polish prog/metal bands in the collection AK, what album of Riverside's would you recommend as their best?

Nice pictures as usual.:tup:
try these two
Out of Myself-more proggy less metal
Anno Domini High Definition-more metal

yes very happy with pictures-two new lenses make the different. should have a few more tonight
 

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