PROG AHOI! Progressive Nation at Sea

PROG AHOI! Progressive Nation at Sea

Tuesday, 18 February, 5 p.m.: On the huge pool deck and along the higher parapet of the luxury liner Norwegian Pearl off the coast of Miami, around one thousand progfans from all over the world cheer for the multinational supergroup TRANSATLANTIC. The artificial palm trees all around symbolize the wonderful weather, which brings sunny 26 degrees Celsius. The mood couldn't be better. The hymn-like sounds of Transatlantic's current album "Kaleidoscope" unfold their very own greatness within this framework. This can be seen from the faces of everyone involved. The blue of the sky and the blue of the Atlantic Ocean, which pushes into Biscayne Bay, form the perfect setting for the longtrack "Into The Blue". Minor teething troubles - Mike Portnoy gets messed up once, Roine Stolt generates unwanted feedback - don't interest me. Again and again the audience stretches their hands into the air, mostly led by the radiant Neal Morse. Fans and musicians in unison. "I can't believe what I'm seeing," Portnoy says.

Arrival and exciting first day

Let's turn the clock back a little. Miami, with the world's largest cruise port, is a primeval American city. But once you arrive at "PortMiami", this impression quickly puts itself into perspective. The proud Norwegian Pearl, almost three hundred metres long, greets visitors with its friendly and powerful face. The check-in process runs absolutely smoothly, without the hysteria of terror so characteristic of the Americans. Sixthman, the company that takes care of the entire organisation on board, is professional and cosmopolitan. A glance at the group shows that typical festival and rock fans have opened their wallets wide to be there. Everywhere on the ship the finest prog material is sparkling discreetly from the loudspeakers. On fourteen decks with three elevators one finally approaches one's cabin on almost endless corridors. Wonderfully functional, beautifully furnished, often even with a balcony. The on-board TV reports everything that is important, for example you learn that there are 67 German passengers on the pot. It is a novelty for almost everyone involved - fans as well as musicians: a big music festival in a small floating city.

Lesen Sie mehr im eclipsed Nr. 159 (April 2014).