Comments on: Progressive Nation – Manchester Apollo, 09-Oct-2009

By: Where Worlds Collide » Blog Archive » Another 2009 Roundup – Live Music

Fri, 01 Jan 2010 21:29:32 +0000

[...] Gig – Has to be Progressive Nation at Manchester.Â A great performance from headliners Dream Theater, a superb one hour set by [...]

By: Tim Hall

Tim Hall — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 18:01:52 +0000

Rob, I wonder how much the fact I really enjoyed Opeth and they didn’t do much for me is that I’m already familiar with their music – I own the studio versions of everything they played and have seen them live a couple of times before.

It did take me a while to ‘get’ them – at first I was thinking “WTF is this racket” and “Why doesn’t he sing properly”. Then their music clicked for me; what was initially just a wall of noise is really complex and textured; and they reproduce it very well live.

By: Rob

Rob — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 01:49:05 +0000

As you say an interesting contrast with my review from Glasgow. Maybe when I've heard more of Dream Theater James LaBrie will seem more of a weak link, but frankly I was too busy enjoying the instrumental antics of the other four. Funnily enough John Myung didn't specially attract my attention: it was almost as though he was trying to be invisible, I felt. Mind you, around Messrs Petrucci, Portnoy and Rudess it must be very easy to be invisible. I shall certainly listen to more of all the bands (especially BigElf).

By: Where Worlds Collide » Blog Archive » Four Gigs

Where Worlds Collide » Blog Archive » Four Gigs — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 20:53:11 +0000

[...] Progressive Nation 2009 two days later, that makes five gigs in thirteen [...]

By: Tim Hall

Tim Hall — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 19:32:06 +0000

Careful – I might have to mention He Who Shall Not Be Named of Scotland…

Alternatively, the “Buggled” “Drama” lineup of Yes?

Or, moving away from Prog, The Stone Roses – Ian Brown notoriously cannot hold a tune in a bucket.

By: Ian

Ian — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 14:28:26 +0000

I think James LaBrie live is not the singer he used to be. I personally still think his voice is the perfect fit on their recorded material but he does seem to struggle recreating it live. Actually, Mr Hall, that should be your next blog – singers who can no longer match the proficiency of the musos in the band

By: Tim Hall

Tim Hall — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 21:39:01 +0000

What, you mean it’s not 1974. and punk never happened?

James LaBrie being the weak link seems to be a consensus. At least one prog bass player of my acquaintance agrees with that assessment.

By: Chris

Chris — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 11:38:12 +0000

Sounds like a good gig! “top-hatted lead singer Damon Fox playing the Hammond in one hand and the Mellotron in the other” Was it last week you went or 1974? I’d agree with you about James LaBrie. He does seem to be a bit of a weak link in an otherwise excellent band.