Hang with me.....
Original headliner: Talks start in November.
Stratovarius: I touch base with Koltipelto in December wanting him for a 3rd slot. The next thing I know is that Stratovarius is back together. I am like the 3rd person in the world outside the band/family/management to know and I have to keep quiet. Arggh! I confirm them with the full intention of closing the festival down as a proper headline band. Saturday night slot done. Jens and Jorg make me feel pretty damn good about the whole thing and take care of me in the press.
Therion comes out of nowhere essentially as there manager is the same as Blind Guardian. Band #2 & 4th slot band confirmed. When I confirmed them, the intention was a 7 city tour of the States. I watch it grow into a month long trek. Oh well, that's business.
I contact Masterplan. Budget is a concern for their booking agent, but they will check with the band. I never hear back.
Symphorce gets the nod next. It was an easy decision after watching Andy perform live.
Manticora gets the nod next after I'm blown away by the new disc. I alreadly know regardless of who I book in the bottom 4 slots that I want them to open the festival. The show needs to start off with a kick in the nuts instead of an oddball or a prog band.
Psychotic Waltz turns me down.
Seiges Even's represenative contacts me. I reply that I would love to have them and let's open talks. I never get a reply.
In the meantime, a loud mouthed guitarist tells the world I made them an offer. Note that the loud mothed guitarist is not on the final roster.
Orphaned Land becomes the next target. Kobi, Century Media, and I work for a solid two months to get the deal done. I'm working on the gut feeling that it will be ok and I unofficially confirm them. They need to be on a different night than Therion. I put Therion in the 4th slot on Friday so I have flexiblity for the Friday night thing as I have nothing nailed down. OL goes to the 3rd slot on Friday. I work like it is confirmed.
Still working on the mystery band.
Fates Warning don't even blink at me.
Ken Golden throws the Circus Maximus disc at me. By the next morning, I made them an offer as I was blown away. I think..wait they don't even have a disc out so what's the public going to say? Fuck it, it's my gig and I want them just so I can see them. I figure they fit the Dreamscape slot in a #2 position and balance Manticora's power. Friday night's headliners are the only thing left.
I nail down Conception after waiting for two months. I want them in the 4th slot and that is where they want to be. I have to keep quiet for weeks while I get slagged in my own forum about not having a big name that fits the mold and appeals to the prog fans. Oh well...
Mystery band asks for another month to decide. I gamble and agree.
I approach a previous band that played about the 3rd slot and they are psyched. I'm happy. Forty-eight hours later they sign a contract with a big European management and land a direct support slot on a European tour for September that they cannot pass up. I don't blame them one bit. Thus, I lose the 2nd band.
I'm sitting around listening to some tunes and random button brings up PC's "Shame." I love this song and I have known Kosta for a few years now. I consult with some friends and they agree that..."You got balls." PC 69 is confirmed within 72 hrs. The band gets a 3rd slot to mix up the pace a bit, especially before Therion and Stratovarius.
I need a good progressive band that can open the other night and fit my budget. I had Stride on my radar last year, but they had nothing to show. I find out they are signing with Sensory and will have a disc out. The other opener is confirmed.
Orphaned Land is confirmed. I sleep easier at night. You guys have no idea just how great a guy Kobi really is.
Mystery band cannot confirm by my deadline. Damn it. Maybe next time...
Angra is confirmed 72 hours later.
Time for a beer.
Glenn H.
Original headliner: Talks start in November.
Stratovarius: I touch base with Koltipelto in December wanting him for a 3rd slot. The next thing I know is that Stratovarius is back together. I am like the 3rd person in the world outside the band/family/management to know and I have to keep quiet. Arggh! I confirm them with the full intention of closing the festival down as a proper headline band. Saturday night slot done. Jens and Jorg make me feel pretty damn good about the whole thing and take care of me in the press.
Therion comes out of nowhere essentially as there manager is the same as Blind Guardian. Band #2 & 4th slot band confirmed. When I confirmed them, the intention was a 7 city tour of the States. I watch it grow into a month long trek. Oh well, that's business.
I contact Masterplan. Budget is a concern for their booking agent, but they will check with the band. I never hear back.
Symphorce gets the nod next. It was an easy decision after watching Andy perform live.
Manticora gets the nod next after I'm blown away by the new disc. I alreadly know regardless of who I book in the bottom 4 slots that I want them to open the festival. The show needs to start off with a kick in the nuts instead of an oddball or a prog band.
Psychotic Waltz turns me down.
Seiges Even's represenative contacts me. I reply that I would love to have them and let's open talks. I never get a reply.
In the meantime, a loud mouthed guitarist tells the world I made them an offer. Note that the loud mothed guitarist is not on the final roster.
Orphaned Land becomes the next target. Kobi, Century Media, and I work for a solid two months to get the deal done. I'm working on the gut feeling that it will be ok and I unofficially confirm them. They need to be on a different night than Therion. I put Therion in the 4th slot on Friday so I have flexiblity for the Friday night thing as I have nothing nailed down. OL goes to the 3rd slot on Friday. I work like it is confirmed.
Still working on the mystery band.
Fates Warning don't even blink at me.
Ken Golden throws the Circus Maximus disc at me. By the next morning, I made them an offer as I was blown away. I think..wait they don't even have a disc out so what's the public going to say? Fuck it, it's my gig and I want them just so I can see them. I figure they fit the Dreamscape slot in a #2 position and balance Manticora's power. Friday night's headliners are the only thing left.
I nail down Conception after waiting for two months. I want them in the 4th slot and that is where they want to be. I have to keep quiet for weeks while I get slagged in my own forum about not having a big name that fits the mold and appeals to the prog fans. Oh well...
Mystery band asks for another month to decide. I gamble and agree.
I approach a previous band that played about the 3rd slot and they are psyched. I'm happy. Forty-eight hours later they sign a contract with a big European management and land a direct support slot on a European tour for September that they cannot pass up. I don't blame them one bit. Thus, I lose the 2nd band.
I'm sitting around listening to some tunes and random button brings up PC's "Shame." I love this song and I have known Kosta for a few years now. I consult with some friends and they agree that..."You got balls." PC 69 is confirmed within 72 hrs. The band gets a 3rd slot to mix up the pace a bit, especially before Therion and Stratovarius.
I need a good progressive band that can open the other night and fit my budget. I had Stride on my radar last year, but they had nothing to show. I find out they are signing with Sensory and will have a disc out. The other opener is confirmed.
Orphaned Land is confirmed. I sleep easier at night. You guys have no idea just how great a guy Kobi really is.
Mystery band cannot confirm by my deadline. Damn it. Maybe next time...
Angra is confirmed 72 hours later.
Time for a beer.
Glenn H.
