Dream Theater: VIP Package - a bit of a letdown

TENTH DREAMER DECEIVER · May 11th, 2008, 01:43 AM

Pros:

Early entry in the Mac Hall.
Bought a whole wack of merch. T-shirts (Prog Nation & Watershed), 3 bootleg cds (Maiden, Metallica, Deep Purple) and the autobiography.
Excellent performance by DT!
Met the band and got stuff signed.
There seemed to be tension at the table. Not sure why. Unless one of VIPs complained or the band was unhappy with Mac Hall. Just guessing.
While all the guys were cool, James LaBrie went the extra mile and really made me feel welcome at the table.

Cons:

Lousy view of the stage.

Band seemed that they really didn't want to be at the VIP autograph session and couldn't wait to leave.

Security was just miserable to the VIPs and did not like getting coordinated by the girl in the purple outfit.

Being told we were on the "band's time" and they will come out when it suited them. Also not being treated like adults who paid $300.00 (before taxes) for the package. 2-3 people were grumbling and tension was created where it really didn't need to be.

There were only 21 people so the band could have spent extra time with each person.

No Q&A session. After you got your autographs your presence was no longer required.

So, would I do it again? Maybe but certainly not at Mac Hall.

Kenneth R. · May 11th, 2008, 07:46 AM

I don't mean to laugh at you (I feel bad) but this is a big "I told you so" to all the people who defended this marketing gimmick in previous discussions.

AngraRULES · May 11th, 2008, 05:13 PM

I have to agree with Kenneth. It's nothing but a marketing gimmick.

I'd absolutely NEVER pay that much for a "special package".

shaq · May 11th, 2008, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AngraRULES

I have to agree with Kenneth. It's nothing but a marketing gimmick.

I'd absolutely NEVER pay that much for a "special package".

Oh come on, yes you would. If Angra announced some kind of package like that you'd be first in line, assuming you could wrangle up enough sponsors to afford it

ratanda · May 11th, 2008, 07:49 PM

This describes only 1 night. I'm curious to see how the package has gone or will go for other cities.

TENTH DREAMER DECEIVER · May 11th, 2008, 11:59 PM

Me too.

It could have been an off night but the band sold a VIP package without really treating the customers as VIPs. The least their could have done was put on a game face and been a bit happier (excluding LaBrie who "got it"). Anyway, I hope other folk have a better experience.

QUOTE=ratanda;7242001]This describes only 1 night. I'm curious to see how the package has gone or will go for other cities.[/quote]

rockyracoon · May 12th, 2008, 12:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TENTH DREAMER DECEIVER

Me too.

It could have been an off night but the band sold a VIP package without really treating the customers as VIPs. The least their could have done was put on a game face and been a bit happier (excluding LaBrie who "got it"). Anyway, I hope other folk have a better experience.

I, for one, am shocked that John Myung was not more vibrant and animated for you at this VIP session.

guardian26 · May 12th, 2008, 01:26 AM

What did they play?

kellsco · May 12th, 2008, 05:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockyracoon

I, for one, am shocked that John Myung was not more vibrant and animated for you at this VIP session.

AngraRULES · May 12th, 2008, 07:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shaq

Oh come on, yes you would. If Angra announced some kind of package like that you'd be first in line, assuming you could wrangle up enough sponsors to afford it

LOL Never. I'd go see them, but I don't need to pay to meet people I already know.

It'd be like us paying for a meet'n greet with Into Eternity.

TENTH DREAMER DECEIVER · May 12th, 2008, 08:20 AM

Yeah. I was aware of his personality and only spoke a few words.

Hopefully, other "VIPs" will have a better experience. At the end of the day, the "Meet" was ok but the "Greet" was lacking.

I didn't expect the quality of an Ian Gillan, KK Downing, Ian Hill or Rik Emmett. But would have been happy with the same level of enthusiasm Brian Fair, Doug Pinnick or Mikael Stanne had.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kellsco

May 11th, 2008, 01:43 AM	#1 (permalink)
TENTH DREAMER DECEIVER Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 735	Dream Theater: VIP Package - a bit of a letdown Pros: Early entry in the Mac Hall. Bought a whole wack of merch. T-shirts (Prog Nation & Watershed), 3 bootleg cds (Maiden, Metallica, Deep Purple) and the autobiography. Excellent performance by DT! Met the band and got stuff signed. There seemed to be tension at the table. Not sure why. Unless one of VIPs complained or the band was unhappy with Mac Hall. Just guessing. While all the guys were cool, James LaBrie went the extra mile and really made me feel welcome at the table. Cons: Lousy view of the stage. Band seemed that they really didn't want to be at the VIP autograph session and couldn't wait to leave. Security was just miserable to the VIPs and did not like getting coordinated by the girl in the purple outfit. Being told we were on the "band's time" and they will come out when it suited them. Also not being treated like adults who paid $300.00 (before taxes) for the package. 2-3 people were grumbling and tension was created where it really didn't need to be. There were only 21 people so the band could have spent extra time with each person. No Q&A session. After you got your autographs your presence was no longer required. So, would I do it again? Maybe but certainly not at Mac Hall. __________________ 2008 Shows Sonata Arctica Iron Maiden - Toronto Y&T - San Francisco (Fillmore!) Nightwish Prog Nation - Dream Theater, Opeth etc Local VIP Dark Tranquillity Gigantour - Megadeth, In Flames Iron Maiden HCW Winner Judas Priest: Vancouver Platinum VIP Monsters of Rock - VIP Crue Fest Circle II Circle - Atlanta Helloween/Gamma Ray - Atlanta ProgPower USA IX - Iced Earth, Amorphis etc - Atlanta Helloween VIP Y&T: Mystic Theatre 2 nights! Last edited by TENTH DREAMER DECEIVER : May 11th, 2008 at 01:51 AM.

May 11th, 2008, 07:46 AM	#2 (permalink)
Kenneth R. Eye-Stealing Tesuji Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Hallways of Always Posts: 14,865	I don't mean to laugh at you (I feel bad) but this is a big "I told you so" to all the people who defended this marketing gimmick in previous discussions. __________________ *Order Zero Hour: Dark Deceiver*

May 11th, 2008, 07:49 PM	#5 (permalink)
ratanda Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Atlanta Posts: 400	This describes only 1 night. I'm curious to see how the package has gone or will go for other cities. __________________

May 11th, 2008, 11:59 PM	#6 (permalink)
TENTH DREAMER DECEIVER Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 735	Me too. It could have been an off night but the band sold a VIP package without really treating the customers as VIPs. The least their could have done was put on a game face and been a bit happier (excluding LaBrie who "got it"). Anyway, I hope other folk have a better experience. QUOTE=ratanda;7242001]This describes only 1 night. I'm curious to see how the package has gone or will go for other cities.[/quote] __________________ 2008 Shows Sonata Arctica Iron Maiden - Toronto Y&T - San Francisco (Fillmore!) Nightwish Prog Nation - Dream Theater, Opeth etc Local VIP Dark Tranquillity Gigantour - Megadeth, In Flames Iron Maiden HCW Winner Judas Priest: Vancouver Platinum VIP Monsters of Rock - VIP Crue Fest Circle II Circle - Atlanta Helloween/Gamma Ray - Atlanta ProgPower USA IX - Iced Earth, Amorphis etc - Atlanta Helloween VIP Y&T: Mystic Theatre 2 nights!

May 12th, 2008, 01:26 AM	#8 (permalink)
guardian26 MTC Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: MASSACHUSETTS Posts: 633	What did they play? __________________ "No, we are a serious metal band, we are evil and we are serious!!" - Tobias Sammet

May 11th, 2008, 05:13 PM	#3 (permalink)
AngraRULES In Absentia Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Asgard Posts: 4,189	I have to agree with Kenneth. It's nothing but a marketing gimmick. I'd absolutely NEVER pay that much for a "special package".