2016-02-18 & 19 - Palladium, London UK

[DarkLord_Lalinc]

Quite frankly, you're there to see the band. The visuals are a plus, but it's not a movie. It's a rock concert. Extreme visuals could be very distracting.

[ErHaO]

Funnily enough I just passed him in the gents, it's the same guy who's been doing it for years. Reckon it's more the venue being difficult to mix to, like the Albert Hall. It's designed for orchestras, not rock bands!

For christ's sake, please let this be a intial startup problem thing. I have never, ever in my life attended a theater show with bad sound (some just a bit less than good). Never. And that included dense rock and metal acts. If you are a band consisting of professional musicians touring in theaters, at least hire a guy that is capable of of doing his damn job. DT's sound live was already pretty bad in the venues I saw them, so I already think the sound guys aren't good at their job at all, but there really is no excuse when doing a theater tour.

I am really worried now, actually. I am paying to hear these guys play, and one would think that should be the most basic expectation of a show.

[metrojam]

Quite frankly, you're there to see the band. The visuals are a plus, but it's not a movie. It's a rock concert. Extreme visuals could be very distracting.

Very true BUT the band and record company have been making a huge thing about the "visuals" and overall experience of the evening (see Dream Theater like you've never seen them before etc) so if in fact it is nothing really that "special" then it will be disappointing to some.

[bosk1]

Quite frankly, you're there to see the band. The visuals are a plus, but it's not a movie. It's a rock concert. Extreme visuals could be very distracting.

Very true BUT the band and record company have been making a huge thing about the "visuals" and overall experience of the evening (see Dream Theater like you've never seen them before etc) so if in fact it is nothing really that "special" then it will be disappointing to some.

Agreed.  But at this point, all we have are some vague comments by a handful of people on a Facebook page that have not even sat through the entire show yet, so I wouldn't worry too much.

[Tick]

Funnily enough I just passed him in the gents, it's the same guy who's been doing it for years. Reckon it's more the venue being difficult to mix to, like the Albert Hall. It's designed for orchestras, not rock bands!

For christ's sake, please let this be a intial startup problem thing. I have never, ever in my life attended a theater show with bad sound (some just a bit less than good). Never. And that included dense rock and metal acts. If you are a band consisting of professional musicians touring in theaters, at least hire a guy that is capable of of doing his damn job. DT's sound live was already pretty bad in the venues I saw them, so I already think the sound guys aren't good at their job at all, but there really is no excuse when doing a theater tour.

I am really worried now, actually. I am paying to hear these guys play, and one would think that should be the most basic expectation of a show.

Don't be worried. Its opening night. Their will be bugs to iron out and hiccups early on.

[Mike PornToy]

Dt is a music band not a movie band   

[phospheneSOI]

from a few different people on the Voices UK (ex fanclub) group on Facebook:

Video presentation is good, but missed opportunity in conveying the story. If you don't know what it's about going in, you won't coming out.

Some of what is on the screens is pretty cringeworthy. I was expecting a lot more to be honest.

Well... Fire the fucking sound guy. Can't hear the vocals or lead guitar at all. No problem hearing all the backing tapes though

Lead guitar is sucking hard in royal circle.

Funnily enough I just passed him in the gents, it's the same guy who's been doing it for years. Reckon it's more the venue being difficult to mix to, like the Albert Hall. It's designed for orchestras, not rock bands!

Also, why are they so far back? It's not a festival! (unless for sight lines at back...)

Do you have a link to that Facebook group please? I am a member of the Voices UK Fan Club but nothing is hardly ever posted on their website these days. I never even knew there was a Voices UK Facebook page!!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/2365811868/?fref=ts

Overall they weren't happy but the people not enjoying it were a lot more likely to use their phones so soon/during the show...

"James Labrie had a mare in the second half and I thought the lack of encore was pretty poor"

[phospheneSOI]

Quite frankly, you're there to see the band. The visuals are a plus, but it's not a movie. It's a rock concert. Extreme visuals could be very distracting.

I think I asked before but your reply got lost - is that Ragdoll in your avatar?

[metrojam]

from a few different people on the Voices UK (ex fanclub) group on Facebook:

Video presentation is good, but missed opportunity in conveying the story. If you don't know what it's about going in, you won't coming out.

Some of what is on the screens is pretty cringeworthy. I was expecting a lot more to be honest.

Well... Fire the fucking sound guy. Can't hear the vocals or lead guitar at all. No problem hearing all the backing tapes though

Lead guitar is sucking hard in royal circle.

Funnily enough I just passed him in the gents, it's the same guy who's been doing it for years. Reckon it's more the venue being difficult to mix to, like the Albert Hall. It's designed for orchestras, not rock bands!

Also, why are they so far back? It's not a festival! (unless for sight lines at back...)

Do you have a link to that Facebook group please? I am a member of the Voices UK Fan Club but nothing is hardly ever posted on their website these days. I never even knew there was a Voices UK Facebook page!!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/2365811868/?fref=ts

Overall they weren't happy but the people not enjoying it were a lot more likely to use their phones so soon/during the show...

"James Labrie had a mare in the second half and I thought the lack of encore was pretty poor"

Thank you bud for the link

[Darkstarshades]

Quite frankly, you're there to see the band. The visuals are a plus, but it's not a movie. It's a rock concert. Extreme visuals could be very distracting.

I think I asked before but your reply got lost - is that Ragdoll in your avatar?

No, it's my less important and less plot-relevant co-villain, Kuja.

[ariich]

Just to point out that most of those comments are from one guy. I think I'll wait for reports here or elsewhere from a much bigger pool of people thanks.

[DarkLord_Lalinc]

Quite frankly, you're there to see the band. The visuals are a plus, but it's not a movie. It's a rock concert. Extreme visuals could be very distracting.

I think I asked before but your reply got lost - is that Ragdoll in your avatar?

No, it's my less important and less plot-relevant co-villain, Kuja.

Yeah, I'm the guy that's the villain for the whole Final Fantasy IX wheras Darstarshades' avatar is the guy that comes at the end of the game going all like: I HATE LIFE TIME TO END IT LOL.

[genome]

On the train back now. Fantastic evening.

For a first performance that was incredible, the only cock up was James coming in about 8 bars too early at the end of the Walking Shadow... but somehow it worked musically xD He was a bit flat during Begin Again but JP's acoustic was far too quiet so you can't really blame him. He had his moments.

High points: Brother Can You Hear Me - holy shit, I am really not into the studio version but it sounds huge live. Three Days - Mangini's blastbeat was INSANE. A New Beginning, the solo was great, awesome ending. Our New World - everyone (eventually) stood up!

Could've done with the guitars and bass being a bit louder. Vocals were perfectly audible here but I was close to the sound desk. My other grievance was the bloody Palladium staff. Why so militant with photos? I got some though, will upload later

[MrBoom_shack-a-lack]

 

[genome]

Oh, by the way... The reaction of the crowd at the end will tell you those facebook comments are not to be taken as gospel

[Darkstarshades]

Quite frankly, you're there to see the band. The visuals are a plus, but it's not a movie. It's a rock concert. Extreme visuals could be very distracting.

I think I asked before but your reply got lost - is that Ragdoll in your avatar?

No, it's my less important and less plot-relevant co-villain, Kuja.

Yeah, I'm the guy that's the villain for the whole Final Fantasy IX wheras Darstarshades' avatar is the guy that comes at the end of the game going all like: I HATE LIFE TIME TO END IT LOL.

You were easy as fuck.
Grand Cross pwns you anyteim

[Darkstarshades]

On the train back now. Fantastic evening.

For a first performance that was incredible, the only cock up was James coming in about 8 bars too early at the end of the Walking Shadow... but somehow it worked musically xD He was a bit flat during Begin Again but JP's acoustic was far too quiet so you can't really blame him. He had his moments.

High points: Brother Can You Hear Me - holy shit, I am really not into the studio version but it sounds huge live. Three Days - Mangini's blastbeat was INSANE. A New Beginning, the solo was great, awesome ending. Our New World - everyone (eventually) stood up!

Could've done with the guitars and bass being a bit louder. Vocals were perfectly audible here but I was close to the sound desk. My other grievance was the bloody Palladium staff. Why so militant with photos? I got some though, will upload later

I'm actually amazed that LaBrie didn't make more mistakes in a 2+ hour show where he sings almost all the time.
Amazing for a first show, hoping it gets here!

[pcs90]

So did they extend the "A New Beginning" outro at all or add any sections? I assume not because of all the backing tracks, but they could have thrown something in.

[ariich]

On the train back now. Fantastic evening.

For a first performance that was incredible, the only cock up was James coming in about 8 bars too early at the end of the Walking Shadow... but somehow it worked musically xD He was a bit flat during Begin Again but JP's acoustic was far too quiet so you can't really blame him. He had his moments.

High points: Brother Can You Hear Me - holy shit, I am really not into the studio version but it sounds huge live. Three Days - Mangini's blastbeat was INSANE. A New Beginning, the solo was great, awesome ending. Our New World - everyone (eventually) stood up!

Could've done with the guitars and bass being a bit louder. Vocals were perfectly audible here but I was close to the sound desk. My other grievance was the bloody Palladium staff. Why so militant with photos? I got some though, will upload later

Oh, by the way... The reaction of the crowd at the end will tell you those facebook comments are not to be taken as gospel

Fantastic, glad you had a great time! Looking forward to tomorrow's show.

[genome]

So did they extend the "A New Beginning" outro at all or add any sections? I assume not because of all the backing tracks, but they could have thrown something in.

It was extended by about 30 seconds and there was a little build up and slow down to the big chord to end.

Descent of the NOMACS was extended too with more build up and spoken word over the track.

[phospheneSOI]

Just to point out that most of those comments are from one guy. I think I'll wait for reports here or elsewhere from a much bigger pool of people thanks.

4 people.

[Logain Ablar]

On the train back now. Fantastic evening.

For a first performance that was incredible, the only cock up was James coming in about 8 bars too early at the end of the Walking Shadow... but somehow it worked musically xD He was a bit flat during Begin Again but JP's acoustic was far too quiet so you can't really blame him. He had his moments.

High points: Brother Can You Hear Me - holy shit, I am really not into the studio version but it sounds huge live. Three Days - Mangini's blastbeat was INSANE. A New Beginning, the solo was great, awesome ending. Our New World - everyone (eventually) stood up!

Could've done with the guitars and bass being a bit louder. Vocals were perfectly audible here but I was close to the sound desk. My other grievance was the bloody Palladium staff. Why so militant with photos? I got some though, will upload later

I am far too tired to write anything more in depth, having been on the go since 4am to get here, but I agree with genome 100%. Great show with some minor fluffs as mentioned.

The lack of encore is totally forgivable, imo. What could they play that wouldn't seem out of place.

The visuals were OK, but I didn't really pay much attention to them. Pretty much, if you found something to whinge about in the 'trailer' video, you'll find something to whinge about with the onstage visuals too..

Everyone was standing by the beginning of Astonishing (the song).

Post more tomorrow.. Zzzzzzx.

[GuitarWizard]

Just got back and it was amazing. I agree with the sound comments. I was in the Royal Circle and JP's acoustic was too soft his solo's was not loud enough. Everything else was ok though.

Everyone did sit down which was a bit disappointing for me until the end when some started to stand and eventually others followed and I feel that the atmosphere was greatly improved.

The visuals and lighting where really good at some points, made me a bit dizzy one time other times I'm not sure.

I knew there would be no encore but didn't stop me waiting for one. I know everyone was really upset about this. It would of been great to come back and play one more but then again they have just been playing for 2 hours.

Annoying at how strict they where about the cameras. You won't be able to photo or film anything.

[genome]

Haha, yeah. I wasn't too fussed initially about an encore but the crowd was absolutely baying for one. If they had come out and played Metropolis or something the place would've exploded!

[Darkstarshades]

We should keep a log of each TA tour show abnormalities.
Like a song played differently, variations, jams, notorious mistakes or other things.

[jonny108]

Awesome gig! The sound was dead dodgy the for the first half of the first set but they got there in the end. James was also a bit wonky for the first half of the set but he nailed it after. T'was nice to meet some fellow DTFers and others. Cool guys!

Now in Ronnie Scott's watching the Jazz jam. Lovely night.

[CharlesPL]

Hey, 1st video on yt

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmkVE2nKOaE

[Clancy Wiggum]

Just got back.

Enjoyed it, but it was intense. Although there's something satisfying about concept albums in that they tell a story, when they're played live it takes away a little of the excitement of not knowing what the setlist is.

I'll be honest, I did hear some negative comments at the interval. Things along the lines of it being "tough going", a couple of folk talked about leaving and the guy next to me did actually leave. I also get that this was *The Astonishing, Live* tour but the lack of encores was disappointing and there were pretty loud groans and a few boos at the end when the house lights went on. I understand the band have clearly mentioned this in interviews but expect to hear a lot more about it from fans as the tour progresses.

That all said, I enjoyed it. I'd only listened to the album a couple of times before the gig but the music was easily clear enough for you to pick it up, whereas with some other gigs you almost need to know the songs prior in order to recognise them. Although the graphics of the characters were a little basic by and large it looked really well done and the layout of the screens really added to the depth of the experience (what with them in an arc round the back of the stage and small screens below the drum riser and on front of either side of the stage.

Overall, a good performance of a what I think is a very good album, particularly for an early tour show. A couple of encores would have really made a difference though.

[Darkstarshades]

I think the Boo's come from the fact that the second act is only 50 minutes, which is very short.

[CharlesPL]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6V-Q2BV1ZLE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLyUvNHtAKE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=niQA5hNAEZ8

Offer, Aspect and Revolution

[IdoSC]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6V-Q2BV1ZLE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLyUvNHtAKE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=niQA5hNAEZ8

Offer, Aspect and Revolution

He also has the first 3 tracks (up to and including The Gift of Music)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-fxUj1LvSNY

[CharlesPL]

TA :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-O86_K95CxQ

1000 Voices :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xNgD02iTcNU

[ResultsMayVary]

Jordan's keyboard stand is fucking wild.

[IdoSC]

James sounds fantastic on this guy's recordings!

[CharlesPL]

James sounds fantastic on this guy's recordings!

+1

My friend of mine said he sang like a old woman ,but he doesn't like his voice.(His favorite album are SC, BC&SL, ToT and FII)