NASHVILLE |DT: AUGUST 8, 2005
FM: TODD BRODGINSKI/KRISTINE ASHTON-MAGNUSON
GIGANTOUR IN FULL SWING:
ROCK PACKAGE TOUR FEATURING
MEGADETH, DREAM THEATER, FEAR FACTORY, NEVERMORE
AND OTHERS PRAISED BY CRITICS;
ANTHRAX ADDED TO SEPTEMBER DATES;
ALL-STAR TRIBUTE TO “DIMEBAG” DARRELL AT TEXAS SHOW
The first annual GIGANTOUR is in full swing, tearing through major venues across North America, much to the delight of discerning heavy rock fans. GIGANTOUR is the brainchild of MEGADETH singer/guitarist DAVE MUSTAINE and features like-minded bands including DREAM THEATER, FEAR FACTORY, DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN and NEVERMORE on the main stage. Gracing the second stage are LIFE OF AGONY, SYMPHONY X, DRY KILL LOGIC and BOBAFLEX. The recently-reunited ANTHRAX will replace DREAM THEATER for the September 6-11 shows.
The six-week GIGANTOUR trek launched July 21 in Fresno, CA and wraps September 11 in Portland, OR. Ticket prices for the daylong festival are being kept fan-friendly, with tickets for most shows costing $35. “I wanted to put together a festival that consisted of positive bands that play heavy music in a high-energy environment,” MUSTAINE said in the July Guitar World. “I think the variety of playing styles and the credibility of the different players is really exciting.”
Critics seem to agree. The Miami Herald said (6/10) “…this tour features only bands whose musicianship matches their ability to melt faces with sheer volume and power.” In an Orange County Register live review (7/26/05), Erik Hamilton called it a “…100 MPH barrage of speed metal that never, ever let up” and said “Megadeth proved that speed metal is alive and well with old fans and, surprisingly, a number of younger ones…Sunday’s concert had some refreshing surprises: There was no rude behavior, the crowd was very respectful and not one thing was thrown on the stage.”
A major highlight of GIGANTOUR was the recent show in Dallas, TX (8/2), where the groups paid tribute to local hero “Dimebag” Darrell Abbott, the Pantera guitarist who was shot while performing in Columbus, OH last year. At the end of Dream Theater’s set, the group performed Pantera’s “Cemetery Gates” with MUSTAINE on guitar and members of Fear Factory and Symphony X on vocals. Watching this moving on-stage collaboration was Pantera drummer (and “Dimebag’s” brother) Vinnie Abbott and Abbott’s widow Rita. NationalNoise magazine editor Tim Taylor said, “It was possibly the most intense concert moment I’ve ever experienced. The people in the crowd were falling to pieces, screaming and crying their eyes out.”
Check out www.gigantour.com for all the latest news. Tour dates are as follows:
Date: City: Venue:
Mon 8/8 Tampa, FL St Pete Times Forum
Wed 8/10 Detroit, MI DTE Energy Amphitheatre
Thurs 8/11 Ft. Wayne, IN Coliseum Expo
Fri 8/12 Chicago, IL Tweeter Center
Sat 8/13 Milwaukee, WI Eagles Ballroom Complex
Sun 8/14 Cleveland, OH Tower City Amphitheatre
Tues 8/16 Cincinnati, OH Annie’s
Wed 8/17 Pittsburgh, PA Chevrolet Amphitheatre
Fri 8/19 Portland, ME Civic Center
Sat 8/20 Manchester, NH Verizon Wireless Amp
Sun 8/21 Poughkeepsie, NY Mid-Hudson Civic
Tues 8/23 Wantagh, NY Jones Beach
Wed 8/24 Holmdel, NJ PNC
Fri 8/26 Boston, MA Bank of American Pavilion
Sat 8/27 Reading, PA Sovereign Center
Sun 8/28 Atlantic City, NJ HOB
Tues 8/30 Buffalo, NY Darien Lakes Amphitheatre
Wed 8/31 Huntington, WV Big Sandy Superstore Arena
Fri 9/2 Montreal, PQ Bell Centre
Sat 9/3 Toronto, ONT Molson Amphitheatre
Tue 9/6 Edmonton, AB Shaw Conference Centre
Wed 9/7 Calgary, AB Stampede Corral
Fri 9/9 Vancouver, BC PNE Coliseum
Sat 9/10 Seattle, WA White River Amphitheatre
Sun 9/11 Portland, OR Clark County Amphitheatre
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