What can this strange device be? When I touch it, it brings forth a sound (2112)
Agreed. Buying CDs instead of streaming and attending one festival a year plus attending local shows is pretty good support and I thank you for that! If everyone “aware” of new, independent progressive music did that, we’d have a heftier “scene” for sure. It’s those that attend a Steven Wilson show every three years and a “big 6” show here and there and have no idea what we’re talking about on this forum...that’s where the numbers are but sadly little interest ultimately.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
This may come across as unpopular, but from where I sit, the health of "the scene" is exactly what one should expect it to be going into 2020. There are quite a few factors at play that have been discussed into the ground here. But the critical factor to me is the failure of the progressive rock movement (however one might define that) in the last 25 years to attract a younger audience.
Because there aren't a new crop of flagship artists that can draw both younger and older crowds carrying the torch, primarily what we have left is an aging demographic of both artists and listeners, and a bunch of talented "bar bands" who are like trees falling in the forest with nobody listening.
WANTED: Sig-worthy quote.
I pre-ordered your new DVD also.
I have a different experience, but what you say does seem to be common sentiment and you may be right in the big picture. For me, I pay far more attention to the new crop of flagship artists than to the big 6. I'm living in an exciting world of constant new discoveries and bands pushing genre definitions. Bands like Riverside, Bent Knee, Devin Townsend, Haken, District 97, The Dear Hunter, Leprous, Anathema, and Opeth are carrying the torch for me. And other newer bands like Southern Empire, Evership, Toehider, make me feel like the future will remain bright. Even debut CDs from brand-new bands like Mile Marker Zero, Issun, Circu5, Ring of Gyges, Umae, Soul Enema, Meandering Mine, For All We Know, Tilt, Artificial Silence, and Oak keep me hopeful. I spend a lot of time on Progstreaming.com and I think there will constantly be new waves. I run out of time to listen before I run out of good music to listen to. But that's my experience.
Thanks for the support doh! Poisoned Youth: I think also that “Evening With...” shows with no openers didn’t help and Rush (might’ve been Neil) felt bad about not being able to give some exposure anymore once they changed to that format. But for the cruise, Yes haven’t had openers for years and neither have loads of others. There were a few 90’s acts that managed to make careers for themselves like Morse and his projects and some metal Prog acts more recently so there’s some that break through but yes despite my band’s more recent “theatricality”, most of us smaller Prog labeled acts are “bar bands” at the end of the day with seldom plucks to bigger stages.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Even with the festivals, it was a nice thing for the opening acts but not a full answer. I think the full answer would be to have a network of cities where these groups could travel and road-test themselves. I remember Lynnette trying to get something like that going years ago, but there just wasn't enough there... not enough people to go to the gigs, not enough promoters, not enough bands (and usually the same people have to do all three).
I also remember having a conversation with Rob the day after one of the NF, when Under the Sun played. They just got to play in front of 1000 people. That's probably the biggest audience they'd ever had to that point, and the biggest audience they ever would have. And they only really got to do that because they were on the same bill as Banco and Porcupine Tree. So it was kind of happy for them, but also must have been sad, because where were they supposed to go from there?
We've probably lost a lot of classic albums that never got made because groups would once have had several albums (with label support) to find their voice, and now that possibility doesn't exist. I admire the passion of a lot of the prog bands going but it's hard to make another Close to the Edge if you have to spend M-F working as an accountant.
Bill Bruford has endorsed this band District 97 who are seen here playing "One more red nightmare" with John Wetton, I think these guys and gal and a great fit for Progstock 2020!
Like they say in baseball, get your runs in by the first inning!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YyPcabi4iBc
Last edited by Rajaz; 10-30-2019 at 01:15 PM. Reason: composition
Yeah, I was happy to see Bruford name drop them in that recent Rolling Stone interview. Definitely a good choice.
Interesting commentary. I kind of agree. Our "normal" shows are a total downer next to any festival appearance we've ever done. And I think we've entered into "festival only mode" more or less presently where we're pretty much done playing live but for an "offer we can't refuse". It feels like the last enthusiasm exists for the few festivals left and little else. Just the view from my personal perch as a band leader. I watch the bands who friend me on Facebook and three seconds later ask me to like their band and I'm like "that's so 2008!" In other words, I do not envy the even newer prog bands out there trying to start out and make a name for themselves, etc.
WELL aware of them inside the ProgStock fold as are I believe everyone else. We're coming up on a decade since they started playing festivals....regularly...so it's kind of like telling us to buy Apple stock That said, there's a new album so I personally would find it a good time to have them. I'm personally not nuts about having an act at a festival 2+ years out from a studio release with nothing in sight which you see sometimes. Just a personal thing for me.
Last edited by 3RDegree_Robert; 11-02-2019 at 08:24 PM.
Announced at ProgStock 2019 for ProgStock 2020 were:
I/O Earth & California Guitar Trio
Just announced....
District 97 & Mile Marker Zero
A great recap of the whole festival
Progstock 2021 is on in slightly scaled down format. Online and in person 10/1-3 (not Columbus Day weekend due to Morsefest) at the smaller theater in Rahway. 2 bands Friday, 3 Saturday, 3 Sunday. Brand X, Jane Getter, Floyd tribute. The Tea Club, McNally Waters
Not positive but I expect StageIt will be used again. You can tune into Marty Dorfman's show The Waiting Room https://houseofprog.com/ around 9PM EST tonight and ask the question in chat, as Progstock honcho Tom Palmieri will be the guest. Laura Meade and John Galgano of IZZ will be on first at 8PM to talk about and play some of Laura's new solo album.
i wouldn't mind checking out a Floyd cover band.
i live 10 minutes away.
I missed The Waiting room webcast, so I'll wait for the StageIt promos/reminders I get from them and check the calendar for October.
The Prog stock site does not give substantial updates anymore.
The site will be updated very soon....possibly today.
PROGSTOCK 2021 !!!!!
Date: October 1-3, 2021
Where: Rahway, New Jersey
Venue: UCPAC Hamilton Stage
Capacity: approximately 200
Ticketing: Tickets go on sale on June 12 at 12:00 PM EDT. Other ticketing information coming soon!!!
SCHEDULE/ARTISTS(so far):
Friday October 1
At The Hamilton Stage (doors @ 5:00pm)
6:00pm –*McNally Waters
8:00pm –*Echoes, the American Pink Floyd
Late Night at*The Waiting Room*Restaurant
11:30pm –*Progressive Coffeehouse:*Artists TBA
Saturday October 2
At The Hamilton Stage (doors @ 12:00pm)
12:30pm –*The Tea Club
4:00pm –*Brand X
8:00pm –*TBA
Late Night at*The Waiting Room*Restaurant
11:30pm –*Total Mass Retain YES Tribute
Sunday October 3
At The Hamilton Stage (doors @ 12:00pm)
12:30pm –*TBA
4:00pm –*Jane Getter Premonition
8:00pm –*Alan Hewitt & One Nation
Late Night at*The Waiting Room*Restaurant
11:30pm –*Dark Beauty*and*Potter’s Daughter
Last edited by harbinger58; 05-31-2021 at 05:42 PM.
I would recommend changing the title of the thread to just remove the date, 2019.
Better yet, mods can you start a new one for Progstock 2021 with harbinger's post?
Bookmarks