Meet and Greet for upcoming tour?

[Progmaniac1988]

Hey all, just curious, anyone care to share how the meet and greets go? Of all these years loving DT I've never done a meet and greet, and I was thinking about doing it this time around. Unfortunately it looks like radio city is sold out, but Toyota oakdale in CT still has some left. Figure it's something I should do atleast once! Was hoping more would become available for NYC but I'll just do CT if need be.

Is it before the show? After?

Feel free to share your experiences here too. I don't think we have a recent thread on this topic.

[jk47]

Hey all, just curious, anyone care to share how the meet and greets go? Of all these years loving DT I've never done a meet and greet, and I was thinking about doing it this time around. Unfortunately it looks like radio city is sold out, but Toyota oakdale in CT still has some left. Figure it's something I should do atleast once! Was hoping more would become available for NYC but I'll just do CT if need be.

Is it before the show? After?

Feel free to share your experiences here too. I don't think we have a recent thread on this topic.

Subbing for more DT specific info but I can answer a couple questions. M&Gs happen before the show, you will get specific information i.e. time to show up, etc very close to the day of the show. Typically what happens is you will be released from the M&G and you can either go put your VIP merch/items in your vehicle and re-enter or you can stay in the venue and have priority access to the merch table, etc.

[Progmaniac1988]

Thank you man

[geeeemo]

I've been to a few DT VIP's.  Usually about 5pm. A rep checks you in. You get your lanyard and gear.  You wait a little bit, maybe in the lobby of the venue. The band walks out and it can get quite nerve-racking, but it's very exciting! Then you realize they are all short. (I'm 5'10" lol). Next is the picture. There is a DT banner type thing, they all line up in front of it. The fans get in a line, and one by one you walk up to the band standing there, and they take the picture.
After that, they sit at a table. The fans get in another line and you approach the table and hand whatever you would like signed to the first band member at the table, that/those items are moved down the row and each guy signs it. You can ask a question or start a little conversation as you go down. Be prepared! One can get tongue tied!
It is fun and I think it's worth it. It adds to the whole hype of the night.

[jk47]

I've been to a few DT VIP's.  Usually about 5pm. A rep checks you in. You get your lanyard and gear.  You wait a little bit, maybe in the lobby of the venue. The band walks out and it can get quite nerve-racking, but it's very exciting! Then you realize they are all short. (I'm 5'10" lol). Next is the picture. There is a DT banner type thing, they all line up in front of it. The fans get in a line, and one by one you walk up to the band standing there, and they take the picture.
After that, they sit at a table. The fans get in another line and you approach the table and hand whatever you would like signed to the first band member at the table, that/those items are moved down the row and each guy signs it. You can ask a question or start a little conversation as you go down. Be prepared! One can get tongue tied!
It is fun and I think it's worth it. It adds to the whole hype of the night.

Awesome post! I am hoping I have a chance to bring something up with Mike about when my son and I ran into him, Billy and Richie a couple years ago. Glad to hear there is a little time to converse.

[geeeemo]

My favorite to talk to is James. He is interesting, friendly and very chatty. I haven't met or (or seen with DT) Mike Portnoy, so I am looking forward to that! I am not a drummer, or know drums, so I will be thinking about what I will ask or say for all these months until they get to the US. 

[TAC]

My favorite to talk to is James.

I know someone that was pretty close to the band for a while, and he told me "the singer was wicked cool".

[Wim Kruithof]

Interesting question and I am on the same camp. In the 24th of November Dream Theater end their Europe Tour and I've a ticket for Amsterdam. I've seen them in Germany last week, but for Amsterdam I have a VIP platinum ticket with a meet & greet. That would be amongst the most exciting things I've ever done, finally being able to meet the band I became to love so freakin' much. Can't wait.

[Schurftkut]

Interesting question and I am on the same camp. In the 24th of November Dream Theater end their Europe Tour and I've a ticket for Amsterdam. I've seen them in Germany last week, but for Amsterdam I have a VIP platinum ticket with a meet & greet. That would be amongst the most exciting things I've ever done, finally being able to meet the band I became to love so freakin' much. Can't wait.

I've met JP and JR at a fanmeeting/Q&A for free on the I&W and beyond tour. Maybe they'll do something like that again in the future? I understand the need for VIP packages, but it's just too much money for a short meeting with the band. I'd rather wait outside the venue near their bus like the old days..

[MirrorMask]

My favorite to talk to is James. He is interesting, friendly and very chatty. I haven't met or (or seen with DT) Mike Portnoy, so I am looking forward to that! I am not a drummer, or know drums, so I will be thinking about what I will ask or say for all these months until they get to the US. 

To this day James is the only DT member I've met, due to his solo tour in 2005. Very friendly and down to earth. I met him outside the tourbus before the show, got a picture with him, I also had my pack of CD booklets to sign and I said "well maybe we do this after the show?" and he said "well we're here now, let's just do it" and signed them all.

Funny enough, I don't have specific memories of the drummer, that would have been Mangini! but I do remember meeting briefly and shaking hands with Matt Guillory.

[TheHoveringSojourn808]

I've never paid for a meet and greet but I have met Mike Portnoy dozens of times at shows over the years

[SeRoX]

Funny enough, I don't have specific memories of the drummer, that would have been Mangini! but I do remember meeting briefly and shaking hands with Matt Guillory.

It's John Macaluso, James' touring member at that time.