NASHVILLE |DATE: JUNE 16, 2008
FROM: TODD BRODGINSKI/KRISTINE ASHTON-MAGNUSON/MITCH SCHNEIDER
GIGANTOUR 2008 WRAPS UP SUCCESSFUL NORTH AMERICAN RUN
WITH HEADLINER MEGADETH, IN FLAMES, CHILDREN OF BODOM, JOB FOR A COWBOY AND HIGH ON FIRE
Another GIGANTOUR is in the history books and plans for GIGANTOUR 2009 are already underway. Founded by MEGADETH frontman DAVE MUSTAINE as a forum for heavy, guitar-oriented bands, the third installment of the traveling “mother of all shred fests” (Revolver magazine) recently wrapped up the 29-date trek.
This year’s GIGANTOUR–the acclaimed traveling heavy music festival launched in 2005 by MUSTAINE–kicked off April 12 in Denver, CO with headliner MEGADETH, Scandinavian death metal band IN FLAMES, Finland’s CHILDREN OF BODOM, Arizona’s modern extreme JOB FOR A COWBOY and Oakland, CA heavy power trio HIGH ON FIRE. The 29-date trek criss-crossed North America and wrapped May 22 in Phoenix, AZ, and included many sell-outs. “Having a reasonable ticket price makes the audience feel respected," Mustaine told Billboard.Biz in a Q&A with him (4/11/08). "I want them to see great bands and be able to walk away with money in their pocket."
GIGANTOUR features bands hand-picked by MUSTAINE with a sharp eye on true musicianship and a heavy focus on top-notch guitarists. The first incarnation in 2005 included Dream Theater, Fear Factory, Nevermore, Life of Agony, Symphony X, Dry Kill Logic and Bobaflex, while the 2006 trek included Lamb of God, Opeth, Arch Enemy, Overkill, Into Eternity, Sanctity and The Smashup. Both of those GIGANTOURs were captured on film and released as DVD/CD sets by Image Entertainment.
“Our ultimate goal was to have bands that have guitar players in them that were guitarists that do solos,” Mustaine explained to Billboard.Biz. “So we got this together and we wanted it to be a guitar player's festival — positive and encouraging for kids to go to so they're safe. Their mom's aren't going to say, ‘You know what? This isn't cool for you to go to. You have to wait until you're older. Any age can come to these concerts.”
Summing it up, Mustaine told Revolver in an April cover story on the tour which always offers a strong connection between fans and musicians: “Gigantour is about celebration. When you enjoy what do you, it becomes effortless.”
Here’s some of the critical acclaim that GIGANTOUR 2008 received from the media:
–Mike Ross, Edmonton Sun, May 13, 2008
“Mr. Mustaine plays fast, but there’s a grinding-gears aggression in his sound, consistent with his distinction as a great composer of abrasive thrash-metal riffs.”
–Ben Ratliff, New York Times, April 24, 2008
“Megadeth and a killer lineup of bands brought the metal to Chicago and thrilled”
–Neil Miller, UR Chicago, May 13, 2008
“Gigantour…showed how metal has maintained its infinite vitality.”
–Deena Dasien, Illinois Entertainer, May 14, 2008
“With the quick transitions between sets, interactions with fans and excellent musical performances, the bands composing of this year’s Gigantour put on a thunderous show.”
–Matthew Lambert, Lumino (Chicago), May 22, 2008
“Shred is still alive and continues to thrive as…Gigantour unleashed the demons of heavy metal at the storied Long Beach Arena.”
–Andrew Youssef, OC Weekly, May 22, 2008
“GIGANTOUR is to thrash metal what air is to life, something you can’t live without.“
–Mike Nikolic, ClevelandOnStage.com, May 30, 2008
Promoters were also excited about the tour’s performance:
"The Gigantour featuring Megadeth was a great success, selling out our venue weeks in advance. We look forward to promoting the show again next year"
–John Peters, MassConcerts
"Gigantour was an extremely productive experience for both of my clients (Children of Bodom and Job For a Cowboy). For Children of Bodom, it was the perfect launching point for their new record, and their #22 Billboard debut backed that up. For Job For a Cowboy, it was the ideal opportunity to cross-over to a diverse metal audience a year after their record was released. The record and merch sales for both reflected selling to a new audience. The wide range of age and music tastes within the hard rock/heavy metal world of the Gigantour attendee makes it the ideal artist development tool. Record and merch sales aside, the entire Megadeth camp made all of the bands feel extremely comfortable on the road, as if they were one big family. I look forward to having my clients involved with Gigantour for many years to come."
Paul Conroy, artist manager
“Gigantour was a highlight of the spring. Great crew and line up. Gigantour has fast turned into a trusted brand that keeps fans coming back for the top bands in metal.”
Adam Cohen, Live Nation
"Single handedly the most brutal tour of the spring, great package and amazing show"
Christian Larson, Live Nation
“We were really happy to present Gigantour this year in Quebec. One sold out show in Quebec City and 7000 tickets sold in Montreal, we look forward to doing it again next year.”
D. Glick, Gillett Entertainment Group
For developing information about GIGANTOUR 2009, go to www.gigantour.com and www.megadeth.com.
MSO Press Contacts:
(818) 380-0400
Todd Brodginski ext. 239, toddb@msopr.com
Kristine Ashton-Magnuson ext. 233, kashton@msopr.com
Bari Lieberman (tour press) ext. 222, blieberman@msopr.com
Mitch Schneider ext. 235, mschneider@msopr.com
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GIGANTOUR 2008 WRAPS UP SUCCESSFUL NORTH AMERICAN RUN WITH HEADLINER MEGADETH, IN FLAMES, CHILDREN OF BODOM, JOB FOR A COWBOY AND HIGH ON FIRE
