Nearfest X 2008, PA, USA, bands update

 

Liquid Tension Experiment to headine Saturday night in 2008

We are very pleased to announce the Saturday night headliner for NEARfest X – Liquid Tension Experiment! The supergroup consisting of Mike Portnoy, John Petrucci, Jordan Rudess, and Tony Levin are reconvening and preparing to tear the roof off of Zoellner Arts Center next June. Portnoy and Petrucci are founding members of progressive metal’s 5-headed monster, Dream Theater, and have won accolades from fans and critics alike for their prowess on the drum kit and guitar, respectively. Rudess is was previously known for his blazing keyboard work with the Dixie Dregs and the Rudess/Morgenstein Project and joined Dream Theater officially after the second Liquid Tension Experiment album sessions. Tony Levin needs no introduction – Stick and bass maestro, two-time NEARfest alum, and play with everyone from King Crimson to Peter Gabriel to Yes to Sarah McLachlan. Liquid Tension Experiment’s two studio albums, Liquid Tension Experiment (1998) and Liquid Tension Experiment 2 (1999), are filled to the brim with everything from blazing, chops-laden sonic attacks (“Paradigm Shift”) to melodic anthems (“When the Water Breaks”) to humorous jams (“Chris and Kevin’s Excellent Adventure”). The improvisational nature in the writing sessions permitted the band to stretch out to many different influences, including rock, metal, prog, funk, blues and even ragtime. It is a great honor to host this ensemble of legendary, virtuoso players on the NEARfest stage for our 10th anniversary.
Posted: 10.04 | More information |

 

 

Koenji Hyakkei to open NEARfest X

Headed by vocalist/composer/drummer Tatsuya Yoshida (Ruins, Samla Mammas Manna),and possessing a three-woman/two-man band lineup, the Japanese ensemble Koenji Hyakkei has been described as a mutant cross between Area, Emerson Lake and Palmer, Deus Ex Machina, Kenso and Magma. The band have recently released their fourth album "Angherr Shisspa", their first domestic release in the USA (on Skin Graft Records). It has been compared to Stereolab, Yes, Queen, Melt-Banana and "something so far off-Broadway it's on the moon". Koenji Hyakkei explodes with glittery keyboard lines, speedy bass/drum workouts, emotive reed respites, and operatic female vocals that take the listener from sheer exuberance to absolute apocalypse. All of this music is performed with superhuman technique in extremely catchy, complex arrangements, with an insane amount of passion and energy. Is it prog-punk? Is it zeuhl-fusion? Be sure not to miss Koenji Hyakkei’s opening set of unclassifiable, energetic music at NEARfest X!
Posted: 07.26 | More information |

 

Echolyn returns to help celebrate NEARfest X

We are very happy to announce that echolyn will be returning to the NEARfest stage to help us celebrate our 10th anniversary. echolyn combines superb musicianship and songwriting with dynamic arrangements and dense multipart vocal harmonies making them a favorite across the vast progressive rock fanbase. Formed in 1991, the band self-released two studio albums and one EP before being picked up my a major label for 1995's "as the world." The band split in the fall of 1995 only to reform in 2000, returning with the excellent "Cowboy Poems Free" and a blazing (in more ways than one) performance at the NEARfest 2000 preshow in Allentown, PA. In 2002, the band was invited to play NEARfest-proper and debuted their masterpiece, the 49-minute "mei", to an audience of 1,850 people in Trenton, NJ. Since then, the band released the highly-acclaimed "The End is Beautiful" (2005), toured Europe for the first time, and was featured at the 2006 edition of FMPM in Quebec. In 2007, echolyn plans to continue writing a new studio album which will be ready for release by the time NEARfest X is upon us. NEARfest is very proud to welcome back one of America's all-time elite progressive rock band in echolyn!
Posted: 07.23 | More information |

 

 

Discipline reforms to play NEARfest X

Michigan-based favorites Discipline have reformed and will be performing with the original lineup for the first time in over 10 years at NEARfest X. Matthew Parmenter (vocals, keyboards), Jon Preston Bouda (guitar), Mathew Kennedy (bass), and Paul Dzendzel (drums) will once again bring their unique brand of dramatic symphonic rock to the stage, playing favorites from such modern classics as "Push & Profit" and "Unfolded Like Staircase." Mixing Van der Graaf Generator, UK, mid-70s King Crimson with Parmenter's passionate on-stage theatrics, Discipline is sure to be a highlight of the 10th anniversary show.
Posted: 07.09 | More information |

 

 

NEARfest X, The 10th Anniversary Show

It's hard to believe it's been 10 years, but 2008 will mark just that! NEARfest X will be a celebration of path we have taken and what we have achieved along the way. In doing so, we plan to make a few changes to the schedule and provide some surprises to the lineup. The main change will be that we will have four acts per day (removing the solo spotlight) and extend the performance time of each slot by approximately 15 minutes. This will give more time for the special acts we hope to bring in for the big weekend! Thanks again for the amazing support and stay tuned!
Posted: 07.09 | More information |

 

 

3 more to come!