The Winery Dogs thread - Portnoy, Sheehan and Kotzen

[ytserush]

Saw them last Friday. Show was sold out and the crowd was pretty raucous. I was rather surprised. Richie has finally settled into role of frontman, it seems. Even my buddy who saw them with me on the very first tour was quick to point out that Richie was much more animated and was frequently playing to the crowd. He also extended many of his solo spots which were fantastic. Billy performed one of the best bass solos I think I have ever seen. The man just does things with that instrument that I don't see many doing.

All in all, they brought it and it was fantastic. What I can't fathom, is that Billy is a few days from 70. My hands don't work like his and I could not be up there moving all around the stage for 90+ minutes a night like that. I can only hope to be somewhat as fit as him at that age.

Richie has never been my favorite part of this but he does a great job for what is needed. Maybe I just like the power trio format. I've only seen them live twice before COVID. Still don't have the new album and don't really listen to the other studio albums a lot but the attraction for me is definitely live with this band.

[RodrigoAltaf]

 This video of two songs from the current tour has EXCELLENT quality:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhN3nVyAkuw

[Schurftkut]

Looks like 013 is the last stop in Europe. Knowing MP they'll probably shoot a video there.... 

[Azyiu]

I got tickets to see them in London in June. So looking forward to it.

[MinistroRaven]

BREAKTHROUGH official video

https://youtu.be/VC60MWQav94

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I wasn’t able to travel to Colombia due to personal issues. Would have loved to see the band live.

[obro]

So yesterday I went to the Boerderij gig, but I can't help feeling a bit underwhelmed..
I have to say Sheehan was spot on, really engaging with his playing, although somewhat over the top maybe, could do without the overlong bass solo.
Ritchie, was also very impressive especially during Stars, The Other Side and the mellower bits, but he really looked disinterested, almost like he just wanted to ram through the songs and be done with it.
And then Portnoy..
For me, he was the least impressive, and I hate to say it.
This comes from a guy who started drumming over 20 years ago and Portnoy has been a great influence in that.
He just seemed tired and uninspiring.
Definitely my least liked Portnoy project for now 

[cramx3]

I think Ritchie has resting bitch face, guy almost never looks happy.  I think Portnoy does take a bit of a back seat from the other two in this band though.  However, I didn't get the feeling of tired or uninspiring from my concert but that was already months ago.  I'd imagine it's possible the guys legit are feeling that way in this point of their world tour.

[Azyiu]

I am seeing them on Sunday in London. I will let you guys know what I observe and how I feel about the show later.

[MrMike]

I saw them back in March and although the songs were well played and it was a good time, there was a noticeable lack of energy from what I was expecting.  I do think Portnoy is intentionally dumbing down his playing a bit for WD material.  I saw him last fall with Petrucci and there he was his usual flamboyant self.  It probably also has to do with the guys all being around 60 (Sheehan is actually 70).  I get the sense Richie is always outwardly on the laid back side, but I thought he completely stole the show.  What a player!

[EPICVIEW]

I like WD  but I find myself liking his solo stuff more than WD

[El Barto]

I saw them back in March and although the songs were well played and it was a good time, there was a noticeable lack of energy from what I was expecting.  I do think Portnoy is intentionally dumbing down his playing a bit for WD material.  I saw him last fall with Petrucci and there he was his usual flamboyant self.  It probably also has to do with the guys all being around 60 (Sheehan is actually 70).  I get the sense Richie is always outwardly on the laid back side, but I thought he completely stole the show.  What a player!

That was kind of my take, as well. Though I put it largely on the set list. There was a five song stretch that was great, and everything before and after it just felt tired. They didn't seem particularly into it and it showed. Every other time I've seen them down here, five or six times, I suppose, they were on fire. This was a letdown.

[nobloodyname]

This is all very encouraging to read before I go and see them in a hot, sweaty shed tonight that also requires a hotel stay

[Azyiu]

This is all very encouraging to read before I go and see them in a hot, sweaty shed tonight that also requires a hotel stay

Someone in London must have read the comments above. They put their Stalls Standing tickets for reselling on Ticketmaster BELOW the original prices. 

[El Barto]

This is all very encouraging to read before I go and see them in a hot, sweaty shed tonight that also requires a hotel stay

It's still very much worth seeing, if for no other reason than that five song stretch. Also, if you like the new material (I don't much care for it) you'll likely enjoy it a lot more.

[nobloodyname]

Oh, it'll be fine

MP shared a few photos from their festival appearance yesterday. Richie looked like he hadn't slept for 23 days!

[nobloodyname]

...and it was indeed fine. Didn't get any particular sense they weren't into it. MP and Billy certainly seemed like they were having a good old time up there. Richie was Richie. I think he locks into himself when he's performing.

[Azyiu]

Perhaps they saved all of their collective energy and emotion for the London show last night? I thought they played a near-perfect set, and you could tell all three of them were enjoying themselves with lots of interaction between them. If anything at all, I thought Kotzen's mic sounded a bit too muddy, and I couldn't quite hear him clearly at times. Did anyone here attend the London show and do you feel the same?