Transatlantic - Philadelphia Odyssey/Whirlwind

Just returned to Rochester a couple hours ago from the Philly show. 
 
A little summary:
 
Saturday - 4/24/09
 
7 am - leave Fairport, NY  by car for Philly
1 pm – 330 miles later,  I arrive in Philly; check into a Hostel I stayed - 6 blocks from venue;
2 pm - arrive at show venue:  Theater Of The Living Arts;  the wait beings;
 
2 people in line ahead of me waiting: one 40-year old guy who flew in from Toronto Canada, and this one guy who kept telling everyone he was from India (I am still not sure I believe him);   Tushar is his name.
 
~3pm – a long white van pulls up to front of TLA.  Portnoy, Treweavas, and Gildenlow (and Stolt?) unload, with their luggage.   About 10 feet from where the 3 of us are lined up waiting.  Neal Morse is not with them.  MP walks over and says hello, and inquires on how I came to choose the Philly show versus the NY show (or versus seeing both the NYC/PHL, which was my initial intention in December).  I explained in so many words I have a travel anxiety thing going on related to traveling long-distance for concerts (in actuality for the last 3 years), and  the sensory and the stress of 2 days of traveling overnight alone is something that does not play favorably with me any longer.  That is why I prefer any concert that’s within 100 miles, so I can sleep in my own bed at night.  Just one of those things.
 
Always enjoyable seeing Mike & saying hello.  A consummate musician, writer & performer and a good human being.
 
4 pm – Neal Morse comes walking down the street, into TLA.  He first stops and talks to us.  He addresses each of us and initiated reaching out, shaking our hands.  Reminded me of a post-wedding greeting line.  It was awesome.  I had an opportunity to tell him face to face that Spock’s Beard’s “V” album is in my top-5 favorite albums of all time.  I also told he “should” do a tour someday which is comprised of that album “V” start to finish. 
 
4-7 pm – various members of Transatlantic come in and out of the front door, and hang out in the vicinity – going to get food, coffee; meeting people they know, fans, etc.  Neal Morse returns from  Starbucks with 5-6 coffees.  Apparently, he picked the short straw was the “coffee gopher” on this day.
 
9 pm – show starts.  The Whirlwind was truly fantastic; an utterly tremendous experience.  I was dead-center against the stage barrier for this, up to intermission.  Didn’t even need my glasses to watch the show – I was so close.  This is why I traveled to the show – to see The Whirlwind.  Made it all worth it.
 
10:30 pm – Intermission – I go for a drink of water and a beer.  Did not drink liquids all afternoon after 2 pm, since it was general admission, and I wanted to keep my place near the stage.
 
10:45 pm – spend some time with a couple of friends from nearby Buffalo, NY in the balcony. 
 
~11:00 2^nd set begins.  A lot of this music is vaguely familiar to me. 
 
There is nowhere to sit.  The place is sold out it seems.   I have been literally standing since ~1:00 pm  I am very tired at this point, holding on.
 
11:45 pm -  I head back to Hostel I’m sleeping before the show ends unfortunately.  Regarding the Hostel, you can’t beat the price ($35); but you have to sleep in a communal room with an estimated 24-26 beds (a male dorm).  You get what you pay for; that never changes.
 
I was supposed to meet up with a fellow forumer  Eric George from Pittsburgh (aka Ryften) and his girlfriend after the show for a drink.  I apologize from not making it.
 
 1:00 am  - I fall asleep, but every 5 minutes a door opens, you hear a noise, or someone is snoring.  Between 1 am & 6:15 am I sleep about 4 solid hours.  It was an interesting experiment I will not endeavor in the future.
 
6:45 am – on the road back to Rochester, NY.
12:30 pm – arrive back home.
 
Misc:
 
Talked with ShadowWalker of the Forum in line for quite a bit.  Nice meeting you.  Saw DanLore also.  Good dude.
 
It was nice chancing upon Mike Brown of the MP Forum in a nearby food establishment.  He is salt of the earth indeed.  It was good chatting.
 
…And the saga continues, as my July 10^th Worcester Palladium ticket was waiting for me in the mail today.
 
Some photos fro mlast night:
 

Nice little review. I wish I could turn up that early...

Man, I missed neal in line by like 15 minutes.

Nice seeing you again Duke, even if it was briefly. Too bad you weren't able to stay to the end of the show :(

Thanks for explaining you were the crazy guy honking at me on the turnpike  

Thanks for the review! I was there, too. Still high on the show and haven't stopped thinking about it all day. Truly one of the best musical experiences of my life. Not much of a Neal Morse fan, I'm all about MP and didn't take my eyes off him through the entire show. Seeing him so close (front row, directly in front of him) and being able to see his feet, hands and face the entire time was... don't even have the words to describe it. I guess BLISS would come closest.
 
By the end of the show our backs were killing us though. We stood in line for 3 hours and then of course the wait inside and the 3.5 hour set. But it was well worth it!

Great write-up, and thanks for the ticket Duke! What an amazing show. Some of the riffs and parts in unison towards the end of The Whirlwind just blew me away. Parts that didn't really grab my attention on the CD.

I was upset it didn't start until after 9, after standing for an hour waiting. I also had to leave right after Neal took over drumming, because I literally had to run and catch a train. What did I miss after that point?

Duke, maybe your fear of travelling has something to do with staying in a hostel. I didn't even know they existed in Philly. A little more money for your own hotel room would've let you had a much nicer sleep.

Bill87GT


I was upset it didn't start until after 9, after standing for an hour waiting. I also had to leave right after Neal took over drumming, because I literally had to run and catch a train. What did I miss after that point?

If you left just as Neal took over the drums, you missed Pete taking over keyboards, Gildenlow came over and played bass (which pete was still wearing at the time, Gildenlow was reaching around from behind to play) and Mike stage diving.

And the awesome ending of Stranger In Your Soul of course.

I was a bit annoyed that it started so late too.

Nice review, Duke. I LOLed at this:

Between 1 am & 6:15 am I sleep about 4 solid hours.  It was an interesting experiment I will not endeavor in the future.

When you mentioned Spock's "V" to Neal, did you call it "Vee" or "Five"? Just curious.

I hope to meet DanLore one day at a show. I'd love to chat with him about some of the shows he's seen.

Oh, also...in the off chance that the two guys I was chatting with in line for the...3 hours I was standing there happen to be on the forum (I was the guy who summoned the duck boat tour by simply saying "At least it's not as annoying as the duck boat tours..."). Or the people who were behind me (the philosophy of twilight folks).

It was real nice chatting with you all. You definitely made the wait in line bearable for a guy who was going solo. Hope you all enjoyed the show.

Good meeting you Duke, here is my travel log of the two shows. :)

http://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=12691.0

It was a "Whirlwind" for me.  I flew in from South Dakota Saturday Morning, and then rushed around Philly seeing the sites.  Got to the TLA at around 7:00 and met some really nice people in line.  The band has such great chemistry and The Whirlwind was awesome.  They played really tight on all the old stuff, very talented people.  Glad I decided to splurge and go to see them live.

Derango

Bill87GT


I was upset it didn't start until after 9, after standing for an hour waiting. I also had to leave right after Neal took over drumming, because I literally had to run and catch a train. What did I miss after that point?

I was a bit annoyed that it started so late too.

Just for the record, we were just as bummed about (and exausted from) the late start...apparently, some tickets were sold that said 9pm, while others said 8pm (as we were originally told)...
So we had no choice but to wait til 9pm....
 
MP
PS - my BOLD button isn't working..... 
 
 
 
 
 

Salmacis


Nice review, Duke. I LOLed at this:

Between 1 am & 6:15 am I sleep about 4 solid hours.  It was an interesting experiment I will not endeavor in the future.

When you mentioned Spock's "V" to Neal, did you call it "Vee" or "Five"? Just curious.

I hope to meet DanLore one day at a show. I'd love to chat with him about some of the shows he's seen.

Well, if you ever head out to the East coast, I'd love to have a chat (and a few beers) with you as well, as you probably know more about the genre of prog than I would ever hope to know.  It was great to see Duke again as well.  I would love to know how many miles he has travelled over the years to see some of the shows he has seen.  I have the beneift of living between NY & Philly, which is pretty much close to everything.  I don't know if I would have the discipline to travel the long distances to shows that he has.  It was also nice to meet Andrew, who purchased one of my tickets.  A real good guy.  I also met 'The Cincinnati Guy', whose name escapes me.  Another long distance voyager.
 
I loved the show, but would have loved a seat even more.  (I would have even carried one in if they let me.)  The knees feel like hamburger today.  At Andrew's recommendation, I spent the second half of the show in the balconey, and ended up behind the Portnoy clan.  I glanced over at the kids a few times as they were watching and enjoying their dad do his thing.  Youngs kids listening to prog gives me hope for America's musical future.  (Whereas 'American Idol' just makes me shake my head.)
 
A long evening, but well worth today's knee pain.  A show for the books..........
 
DanLore

Portnoy

Derango

Bill87GT


I was upset it didn't start until after 9, after standing for an hour waiting. I also had to leave right after Neal took over drumming, because I literally had to run and catch a train. What did I miss after that point?

I was a bit annoyed that it started so late too.

Just for the record, we were just as bummed about (and exausted from) the late start...apparently, some tickets were sold that said 9pm, while others said 8pm (as we were originally told)...
So we had no choice but to wait til 9pm....
 
MP
PS - my BOLD button isn't working..... 
 
 
 
 
 

[b ] [/b ]

Stick to drums.

Salmacis


When you mentioned Spock's "V" to Neal, did you call it "Vee" or "Five"? Just curious.

“Vee.”  I also mentioned him that we did a poll of the 7 of us in line, and 100% of us would like to hear Still Spinning. 

Bill87GT

Duke, maybe your fear of travelling has something to do with staying in a hostel. I didn't even know they existed in Philly. A little more money for your own hotel room would've let you had a much nicer sleep. more money for your own hotel room would've let you had a much nicer sleep.

It was actually a very safe place. http://www.applehostels.com/
 I’ve stayed at real nice hotels, etc., and that did not impact things.  I needed to compromise also to pick up one of the nifty orange Whirlwind T-shirts, so I felt alright cutting corners there.  It served the purpose due to being walking distance from TLA, although my girlfriend was concerned I didn’t take a taxi back.  Should have played that differently perhaps.

Xanadu3737


Good meeting you Duke, here is my travel log of the two shows. :)

http://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=12691.0

Likewise.  It was fun hanging out with you and your friends from Allentown.  I remember you now from Rai’s Forum.
 
etc. etc.  Essential listening for each of my roadtrips to Philly.  Good vibes for a road:
http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/philly-super-soul-hits/id192830660

Wow, late start indeed, but at least you got most of the show

Portnoy


Just for the record, we were just as bummed about (and exausted from) the late start...apparently, some tickets were sold that said 9pm, while others said 8pm (as we were originally told)...
So we had no choice but to wait til 9pm....

Oh yeah, I understand the situation. (Pete wandered out before the show and he sounded like he would have rather started at 8 too) It was just blargh for all involved and my annoyance is totally directed towards the venue/livenation for the ticket fiasco. 

What can you do eh?

Bax53


It was a "Whirlwind" for me.  I flew in from South Dakota Saturday Morning, and then rushed around Philly seeing the sites.  Got to the TLA at around 7:00 and met some really nice people in line.  The band has such great chemistry and The Whirlwind was awesome.  They played really tight on all the old stuff, very talented people.  Glad I decided to splurge and go to see them live.

Assuming you were the only person from South Dakota there, me and my buddy Matt enjoyed meeting you and hanging out. We looked for you at the end of the show but couldn't find you. I'm glad you had a good trip to the east coast. If you are ever out this way again look me up!

Fantastic show. We were exhausted at the end. Didn't get home until 4:30 but it was worth it. A "Whirlwind" indeed.

great review!!! sounds like the standing and waiting and dorm-sleeping was really worth it \m/

Props for dedication ol' boy.  As I get older, everything losses it's luster without sleep. Seems like it takes 3 frickin' days to get back to normal after
1 short night.

Duke
 
Talked with ShadowWalker of the Forum in line for quite a bit.  Nice meeting you. 

 
Good to meet you too. Always nice to put a face to the words I read here all the time.
 
I agree with anyone who says the show was awesome. Well worth the near 12 hours of standing if you take into account the time spent in line, the show and some walking around South Street prior to the concert.
 
To me, what proves the power of these long epics is that at no point was I starting to get antsy and look at my watch to get an estimate as to when a song might end. I was completely captivated and drawn in. Great stuff Saturday night.
 
SW

Duke


2 pm - arrive at show venue:  Theater Of The Living Arts;  the wait beings;
 
2 people in line ahead of me waiting: one 40-year old guy who flew in from Toronto Canada, and this one guy who kept telling everyone he was from India (I am still not sure I believe him);   Tushar is his name.

And here's Duke at the front of the line (purple shirt and hat next to the red lamp post).



I met Duke and Nick (Xanadu3737) again. I found a seat in the balcony and got some good pics. I uploaded the better ones here.

It was a great show - one that I'll never forget. I also was bummed that it didn't start until 9:00. The show ended around 12:40 and we drove home afterward, so I didn't get home and into bed until 3:40. It was a long night, but it was well worth it!

I was not too happy about the late start.  Live Nation should've sent out an e-mail or something about the new start time.  I've gotten e-mails like that in the past from Ticketmaster, so that is a reasonable expectation.

I stuck around for The Whirlwind and then peaced out.  It was already pretty late at that point, and my tickets to this show were free, so I still got my money's worth. 

Was the rest of the setlist the same as the other shows on the tour?

leglessmoof


Was the rest of the setlist the same as the other shows on the tour?

Yep, same setlist. You missed almost 2 hours of greatness.

drumstik

Bax53


It was a "Whirlwind" for me.  I flew in from South Dakota Saturday Morning, and then rushed around Philly seeing the sites.  Got to the TLA at around 7:00 and met some really nice people in line.  The band has such great chemistry and The Whirlwind was awesome.  They played really tight on all the old stuff, very talented people.  Glad I decided to splurge and go to see them live.

Assuming you were the only person from South Dakota there, me and my buddy Matt enjoyed meeting you and hanging out. We looked for you at the end of the show but couldn't find you. I'm glad you had a good trip to the east coast. If you are ever out this way again look me up!

Fantastic show. We were exhausted at the end. Didn't get home until 4:30 but it was worth it. A "Whirlwind" indeed.

Ya that was me.  I enjoyed meeting you guys.  I got alot of pictures with your head in them, pretty funny.  I bolted after the show, didn't figure the guys were going to do any meet and greet cause it was so late.  I only got a couple hours sleep and then I was back in the air coming home. 

You guys are upset for waiting for 1 hour?
I stood for 5 hours waiting for Guns'n'Roses. fucking Axl... Nothing new though!

Ohh wish I was there!

Hey Duke, Tushar here. Great review! The show was incredible. So worth coming all the way from India for (Duke, I did, you know that :)) Mike was on FIRE in Philly. Didn't mind the late start, to be honest. My bus back to NYC was at 2 am, so the post-gig wait was shorter for me. A special thank you to Collin for keeping us posted about the delay and the reason for it. Got to have a nice conversation with Daniel again, offering my services as a physics consultant for the next PoS album :).

Was lovely to meet Mike again (my 11th time seeing him and my second time flying halfway across the world to see a band of his), and Mike, thank you so much for handing me a stick before you went crowd surfing. It was especially special considering this was the greatest display of drumming I've ever seen. I will cherish the memory of these two gigs forever!
 
Seeing the Whirldwind live was the greatest thing I've ever seen. I was blown away by everybody. Truly great performances. All I can say is Thank you guys so much!

The neighboring businesses were pretty upset about the line forming for hours on the sidewalk.  I don't think they were used to seeing such a dedicated fan base at shows there.  When I was at the back of the line, wrapped around the back of the building, I overheard a police officer speaking to an employee in the back door, saying something along the lines of, "we see both sides of it, people want to come see a show so there's not much we can do about it."

Nice review and pics, Duke!
 
Glad you had a great time. I was hoping to see you at the NYC show. All is good!  

Derango


Oh, also...in the off chance that the two guys I was chatting with in line for the...3 hours I was standing there happen to be on the forum (I was the guy who summoned the duck boat tour by simply saying "At least it's not as annoying as the duck boat tours..."). Or the people who were behind me (the philosophy of twilight folks).

It was real nice chatting with you all. You definitely made the wait in line bearable for a guy who was going solo. Hope you all enjoyed the show.

That was us in front of you.
Great show! Well worth the wait.
Good talking with you.
See you next time. No Duck Boat Tour summoning , please.

My duck boat summoning days are over, trust me I tend to travel up and down the east coast for shows, so hopefully we'll meet again. 

The Philadelphia show was reviewed on USA Progressive Music e-zine:
http://usaprogmusic.com/joomla/index.php?option=com_simple_review&Itemid=28&review=446-The-Whirlwind-Tour-2010-Transatlantic-Philadelphia-PA

Duke!!!   you gave me Gum! Trident?

 at least i think it was you...  while we were standing at the stage, waiting.
I am in that picture. I have the maroon Flower Kings shirt and my back is to the camera.



What an awesome DAY.    Alchemist I was talking to you a bit too... Opeth, Flower Kings, etc.

Hey Duke thanks for your post and pictures.

My experience was kind of similar.

Took a plane Friday night, checked in at the hotel located 10 minutes away form the venue.
Spent the day sightseeing around the city (something I would later regret while waiting in line, standing during the concert and then walking to the hotel).

While standing in line I saw Collins several times taking pictures and talking to everyone, really cool guy. I also met Eric (Ryften) and his girlfriend, and I also have to apologize since I didn't see them after the show as they invited me for some beers, but I had to wake up at 5am to catch a plane at 7am.

Anyways the show was amazing. This was my third time traveling to the US to see some MP show (SFAM in Florida and RCMH being the other two times) and I have never regret spending the money on that!!

Seeing the chemistry between these guys on stage is an experience on its own. Watching MP and NM exchange looks during the songs was like watching Malone and Stockton during a b-ball game, they didn't have to talk to communicate, it was like that all night long.

I was standing in front of MP, only seeing the energy and all the fun he was having was half the show. While playing he was constantly interacting with the audience. Some kids were standing right in front of the stage, he would talk to them, gave them broken sticks..at some point you would see him screaming -SHARE- since they were getting everything he would throw to the audience.

After the intermission this young (middle school?) girl stands in front of me, I was really surprised to see such a young girl at the gig. Then her dad stood behind her and kinda pushed me back saying that was her daughter, that kind of pissed me off but I was so tired I simply moved. Then one of the coolest moments of the night for me was seeing how much that girl wanted to be noticed by MP, every time he faced the audience towards us she would raise her hands, but she was so short she was invisible to him. That was until MP went stage diving during SIYS, when he returned to the drums the father lifted the girl and MP noticed her and gave her a drum stick, her reaction was so cool, that girl was soooo excited, I was really happy for her. Fortunately I got it on video and was able to share it with them (link).

Other moment of the night here.

Five amazing guys making fabulous music and making special things happen...thanks for everything.

Cool video!!

Cool review.
 
 
The guys blew the roof off of the TLA! 
 
Ten years ago was awesome, but this was far beyond awesome!
 
The Whirlwind was good, but after the intermission was even better!
 
I'm still buzzed from the experience. 

Thanks for the review Duke.
Can't wait to see Mike and Transatlantic in a few weeks here in Holland !!

http://www.dimeadozen.org/torrents-details.php?id=301658&hit=1

Weymolith


http://www.dimeadozen.org/torrents-details.php?id=301658&hit=1

Woohoo!