Why is Dream Theater so popular in Venezuela?

Millais · July 12, 2011, 01:56:03 PM

.. well perhaps they're not, but all over the Youtube videos and tweets/facebook updates that DT/JR/JP post there always seems to be quite a few comments from fans in Venezuela. I'm not completely sure why this crossed my mind, i guess i'm just interested in exactly why they appear to be so popular in Venezuela - did they have quite a few tour dates in the country over the past decade? Any suggestions appreciated

always nice to see some very very talented kids playing DT as well! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1MYkWHjsghM

2Timer · July 12, 2011, 02:21:46 PM

Ummm...because they're awesome?

Iarwain · July 12, 2011, 02:47:11 PM

I'm not sure either. Metal is quite popular around here so maybe it's because of that.

And yes they've played here on their three South American tours. Plus, Jordan did a show with the Rudess/Morgenstein Project and the Explorations premiere.

Metabog · July 12, 2011, 02:49:29 PM

It's not just Venezuela, DT has a large fanbase in South America and places like Brazil and Chile.

MetropolisxPt1 · July 12, 2011, 02:50:50 PM

Mainstream American culture does not appreciate musicianship and virtuosity. They have been very popular in Asia since I&W.

Knguro · July 12, 2011, 03:45:20 PM

Quote from: MetropolisxPt1 on July 12, 2011, 02:50:50 PM
Mainstream American culture does not appreciate musicianship and virtuosity. They have been very popular in Asia since I&W.

most accurate answer so far.

Aniland · July 12, 2011, 04:16:22 PM

Quote from: Knguro on July 12, 2011, 03:45:20 PM
Quote from: MetropolisxPt1 on July 12, 2011, 02:50:50 PM
Mainstream American culture does not appreciate musicianship and virtuosity. They have been very popular in Asia since I&W.

most accurate answer so far.

This doesn't explain why South America seems to be the most avidly abundant of the Dream Theater fanbase. I'd think Europe to be the bulk, and America (because, come on, the people who are listening to this sort of music in the US are still tremendous in numbers).

I now realize that I think every DT cover I've seen on YouTube is of Felipes and Eduardos.

JayOctavarium · July 12, 2011, 04:20:52 PM

Because they are Dream Theater....

wammabe · July 12, 2011, 04:40:30 PM

Maybe it has to do with what is considered mainstream in an area. Here in Puerto Rico, Reggaeton is very abundant. Music here is completely hopeless, I've never seen a DT fan here.

MetropolisxPt1 · July 12, 2011, 05:21:49 PM

Quote from: Aniland on July 12, 2011, 04:16:22 PM
Quote from: Knguro on July 12, 2011, 03:45:20 PM
Quote from: MetropolisxPt1 on July 12, 2011, 02:50:50 PM
Mainstream American culture does not appreciate musicianship and virtuosity. They have been very popular in Asia since I&W.

most accurate answer so far.

This doesn't explain why South America seems to be the most avidly abundant of the Dream Theater fanbase. I'd think Europe to be the bulk, and America (because, come on, the people who are listening to this sort of music in the US are still tremendous in numbers).

I now realize that I think every DT cover I've seen on YouTube is of Felipes and Eduardos.

Well Latin and south America both have huge metal fan bases it could be the same as japan where they are drawn in by the metal aspects then blown away by their playing ability.

Who knows but at least they appreciate good music.

dongringo · July 12, 2011, 06:59:33 PM

Quote from: MetropolisxPt1 on July 12, 2011, 05:21:49 PMWell Latin and south America both have huge metal fan bases

Agreed. There really is a massive metal fanbase in many Central and South American countries as well as Mexico. I had never heard DT until I was turned on to them by some friends I made in 2003 in Cali, Colombia. I was invited to someone's apartment and we were talking metal and playing some riffage on guitar and they ended up loading me up with mp3s in which DT ACOS was one. That was my first taste of Progressive Metal and I had to travel to Colombia to find it.

Fuzzboy · July 12, 2011, 08:06:49 PM

I've been in 3 taxi cabs here in Argentina. Two of the drivers were listening to power metal, and one was listening to some type of speed metal. They just really, really like metal over here.

hacko · July 13, 2011, 07:21:45 AM

Quote from: wammabe on July 12, 2011, 04:40:30 PM
Maybe it has to do with what is considered mainstream in an area. Here in Puerto Rico, Reggaeton is very abundant. Music here is completely hopeless, I've never seen a DT fan here.

As a Venezuelan, I can telly you Reggaeton is as abundant here as it is there. If you get on public transportation 7/10 times it's Reggaeton, 2/10 salsa and 1/10 other more regular (pop/rock/old ballads) music.

However, the metalheads down here are very much into it. Plus, we don't really work that hard so it's possible we just have a steady online presence because we're always looking for excuses to put off work for another 5 minutes

As far as previous questions, DT have only been here 3 times, Rudess has been here 3 or maybe 4 times between R/M and Explo.

JediKnight1969 · July 13, 2011, 07:49:04 AM

I don't think that we are many here in South America, but sure we are passionate. Ask Megadeth, Ramones, AC/DC, Rolling Stones, Iron Maiden, Nightwish... Once we fall in love with a band, we are truly hardcore fans.

Nekov · July 13, 2011, 07:52:06 AM

I don't think DT is that popular in South America. I think what happens is that since we are not able to see them as much as people in Europe or US, we are more enthusiastic about it.

Quote from: Fuzzboy on July 12, 2011, 08:06:49 PM
I've been in 3 taxi cabs here in Argentina. Two of the drivers were listening to power metal, and one was listening to some type of speed metal. They just really, really like metal over here.

Really? I live in Argentina and never have been in a taxi listening to metal. You got lucky

JoSeM90DT · July 13, 2011, 07:58:12 AM

Because WE ROCK!

Rafael Guerra · July 13, 2011, 10:21:50 AM

DT is very popular in South America.

1) Countries are big and people are centralized in capitals where the shows take place. There are a lot of people. People that like progressive metal, even if representing 1% of people, are still a lot.

2) Political/social aspects. For starters, Iron Maiden was/is reallly huge in South America, especially in Brazil. The so called "movement" really started back in '85 when Brazil got rid of the dictatorship. There was a lot of contained anger and heavy metal was the way to express that in an artistic way. Still, in Brazil, Brazilian funk and samba are the popular genres that appeal to the masses, no denial on that, but given the size of the country, there is also a lot of space for metalheads to carry on the legacy.Been living in Venezuela for 5 years, I can observe similarities. Many, including Venezuelans, consider the country to be very politically unstable. There is contained anger. There is plenty of space for metal lovers to show their feelings through heavy music.*

3) Let's also add that both countries have very TALENTED musicians and social projects that support it. Take Explorations for example. Or the xylophone cover some months ago. Social projects with kids that are now playing in orchestras or musical groups and that would otherwise be in the streets or even perhaps crime scenes. There is a lot of space for music and a group like Dream Theater, that can be both HEAVY and EXPERIMENTAL at the same will attract people, even the media sometimes, when connecting to these social projects.

*For more information, watch Global Metal. Great documentary.

RudessSolo · July 13, 2011, 11:13:30 AM

NEW QUESTION: why almost every band all over the world is popular in Indonesia?

JimmyJava · July 13, 2011, 02:17:28 PM

As several people already stated, it's not just Venezuela, it's basically all of South America. Go on Youtube and watch video of DT playing in South America, those crowds are always the craziest and loudest. They love their DT!

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Why is Dream Theater so popular in Venezuela?