2014-02-13 - O2 Apollo - Manchester, UK

[krands85]

  I really hope that's a mistake. The only reason I could justify the time and expense of coming all the way down from Scotland was the fact that it was going to be 'An Evening With'.

But now I've already bought my ticket and booked accommodation, I'll be gutted if there is going to be support and only 2 hours max of DT 

[Jinx]

soo.... got my tickets today...

Could be the orchestra.

[FrostbiteZ]

soo.... got my tickets today...

Could be the orchestra.

Lets hope it is and not a support band. They have seen the positive feedback Rush got for bringing a string section. So maybe they have thought lets play the entire SFAM with strings/orchestra

Even DT's own tour page now says An Evening With Dream Theater. That was not there when they announced the dates

[Jinx]

The plot thickens!! 

[DreamerTV]

Guys, don't worry: it's just a standard ticket. It will be An Evening With without an opening band.

[cyberdrummer]

Bosk and JLB have confirmed it will be an Evening With.

[the-glass-prison]

I am going to the Manchester gig. Train times and fares are now available. Got my train ticket booked. Anyone else going from north of the border?

[krands85]

Yeah I'm coming down for the Manchester gig too, though the site I use - National Rail Enquiries - doesn't let me book that far ahead yet. Did you get a good deal on your tickets? The cheapest 'advance' fare tickets usually aren't released until 12 weeks before the date of travel.

[the-glass-prison]

Check virgin rail or the trainline website. You'll find all the details on there. Most journeys change at Preston but there is a direct train that leaves central at just after 11

[krands85]

Well I'm coming from Perth, so I'll probably go through to Edinburgh and change there. Then there are direct trains to Manchester every couple of hours from Waverley/Haymarket. Looks like it will be about £48 for me in total when the Advance tickets are released.

[jonnybaxy]

I should really book my ticket soon...

[krands85]

4 weeks to go  Anyone else going on their own like me? 

Also, does anyone know any decent pubs near the venue to get a few drinks and a bite to eat before the show?

[twanky]

Yep on my own as well. My better half saw the TOT tour and said never again 

The pub just around the corner is ok, but can get very busy indeed. You can go into the O2 bar upstairs in the venue

[jonnybaxy]

I too am alone unfortunately gig is 2 months before i'm 18 so that sucks 

[DT_1928]

I'm going alone too .. If anyone's up for a drink after i'm in, train not til early hours so time to kill

Yep on my own as well. My better half saw the TOT tour and said never again 

I know that feeling .. mine said the same on the BC&SL tour - during the extended Hollow Years solo!! 

[krands85]

Yep on my own as well. My better half saw the TOT tour and said never again 

The pub just around the corner is ok, but can get very busy indeed. You can go into the O2 bar upstairs in the venue

Cheers, just had a look on Google street view - that place looks very handily placed. Hope it does decent food

I'll probably be getting there about 6pm, hopefully there are a few DT fans already in there 

[Peter Mc]

Apollo is in a pretty rough area so wouldn't be expecting a nice pub meal.  There is a McDonalds about 3 or 4 min walk away though if you're starving.  Otherwise you could just eat in the city centre before heading up to the theatre.  Venue itself is normally good though in terms of acoustics as it is a proper old theatre even if it is a little run down.

Here's hoping we get the same set list as mainland Europe is getting.

[krands85]

Apollo is in a pretty rough area so wouldn't be expecting a nice pub meal.  There is a McDonalds about 3 or 4 min walk away though if you're starving.  Otherwise you could just eat in the city centre before heading up to the theatre.  Venue itself is normally good though in terms of acoustics as it is a proper old theatre even if it is a little run down.

Here's hoping we get the same set list as mainland Europe is getting.

Cheers  McDonalds is just around the corner from my hotel, so I'll probably just get something there.

Not too keen on the setlist myself, but it seems like they're sticking with it and not doing any rotation. Sure they'll put on a great show anyway 

[jonnybaxy]

I'd be up for meeting up with some of you in a pub or wherever.

[Peter Mc]

Apollo is in a pretty rough area so wouldn't be expecting a nice pub meal.  There is a McDonalds about 3 or 4 min walk away though if you're starving.  Otherwise you could just eat in the city centre before heading up to the theatre.  Venue itself is normally good though in terms of acoustics as it is a proper old theatre even if it is a little run down.

Here's hoping we get the same set list as mainland Europe is getting.

Cheers  McDonalds is just around the corner from my hotel, so I'll probably just get something there.

Not too keen on the setlist myself, but it seems like they're sticking with it and not doing any rotation. Sure they'll put on a great show anyway 

Not necessarily my favourite songs but lots of stuff I haven't seen live before (most of the Awake stuff) and also stuff I haven't seen for 15 years (Scenes stuff) so excited to see some of those songs.

[krands85]

My ticket finally arrived today 

[the-glass-prison]

Also going on my own. Staying at travelodge upper brook street. Should arrive about 1500 so up for drinks with any other fans.

[krands85]

Just noticed on the Apollo website:
Thu 13/02/14   Dream Theater *Doors @ 6.30pm, Dream Theater on at 7.30pm*

[FrostbiteZ]

Just noticed on the Apollo website:
Thu 13/02/14   Dream Theater *Doors @ 6.30pm, Dream Theater on at 7.30pm*

Got this mail from crowdsurge a couple of days ago

This is a courtesy email regarding the Dream Theater show taking place at the O2 Apollo Manchester on 13/02/2014.
The door opening time has changed to 18:30 and the show will be starting around 19:30. All other details remain the same.

[DT_1928]

Well that's messed up my evening! 
I emailed the venue about 3 weeks ago to ask what time the band would be on (so i could book train and see if i needed to finish work early) and didn't hear a thing from them! With tickets saying doors at 7 thought the band would be on at 8ish and finish around 10:45-11
Working til 6 and wont get to the venue til 8! Great! 

[krands85]

Well that's messed up my evening! 
I emailed the venue about 3 weeks ago to ask what time the band would be on (so i could book train and see if i needed to finish work early) and didn't hear a thing from them! With tickets saying doors at 7 thought the band would be on at 8ish and finish around 10:45-11
Working til 6 and wont get to the venue til 8! Great! 

Well that sucks. Can you not get out of work early (imaginary doctor's appointment perhaps?  ) and get an earlier train or something?

[jonnybaxy]

If i bought a ticket now do you think it would arrive on time?

[duncan3dc]

If i bought a ticket now do you think it would arrive on time?

Yep, e-ticket, print instantly

[DT_1928]

[/quote]
Well that sucks. Can you not get out of work early (imaginary doctor's appointment perhaps?  ) and get an earlier train or something?
[/quote]

I'm the one that locks up when everyone's gone home so i'm just gonna have to lump it and at least i'm still seeing IT & TDOE   

[jonnybaxy]

If i bought a ticket now do you think it would arrive on time?

Yep, e-ticket, print instantly

It would look like I have to buy my ticket from GetMeIn now... Hasn't been any on ticket master for a while so can I print off a ticket from them?

Also row B!

[the-glass-prison]

For anyone staying at the travelodge in upper Brook Street, the 147 bus goes to it from piccalilly train station.

[krands85]

I'm staying there, but I think I'll just get off the train at Oxford Street station and walk it. I've got long legs, so it shouldn't take me anymore than 20 minutes 

[the-glass-prison]

Been trying to work out the best way to get to the hotel from piccadilly. This is about the best I've found so far. Hope it's reliable

[jonnybaxy]

Edit: Nevermind

[the-glass-prison]

Good shout about getting train to Oxford road. Only takes 2 minutes from Piccadilly then it's only a mile to the hotel. Think this will be the route i take. 4 train journeys for me in the one day just to get there but it's definitely gonna be worth it.