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itaymm View Drop Down
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Points: 2 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: Progressive scene in Canada and the USA
    Posted: October 05 2015 at 14:42
Hi!

I'm considering moving to Canada or the USA.
There are a lot of considerations I'm taking, and I think the local music scene should be an important one.

I was wondering where in the US and Canada (which region/state), one could attend many prog concerts, or generally, prog-related music. Anything you'd say is interesting.

I'm talking about both tours of big bands like Dream Theater, Opeth, Haken, etc...
but also about small bands, whom I probably haven't even heard of.

So, Canadians and US citizens, please help :)
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Points: 66205 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: October 05 2015 at 14:51
Not Michigan.  Big bands Yes.  Small bands mostly No. 
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JD View Drop Down
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Points: 18446 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: October 05 2015 at 15:27
In Canada it's mostly Montreal that leans progressive. There is a music scene in Toronto and Vancouver, most "Big" names play there due to population density, but from a local point of view I'd say Quebec is your best bet. Locally in the other regions it's more "Urban", folk or hard rock. Don't get me wrong, there is a thriving Blues, Jazz and Indie scene, but the best of these genres are expensive to see and not necessarily plentiful on the music circuits.

Just one Canuck's opinion mind you.
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Points: 16849 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: October 05 2015 at 15:34
Originally posted by itaymm itaymm wrote:

I was wondering where in the US and Canada (which region/state), one could attend many prog concerts, or generally, prog-related music. Anything you'd say is interesting.

I'm talking about both tours of big bands like Dream Theater, Opeth, Haken, etc...
but also about small bands, whom I probably haven't even heard of.
 
If you want to move to the US and see lots of prog shows on a regular or semi-regular basis, my guess is the east coast is probably your best bet – specifically the New England area. You should be able to catch a lot of bands within a one-hour or two-hour radius.
 
Of course, somebody who actually lives there is better qualified to answer your question. Smile
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Padraic View Drop Down
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Points: 31169 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: October 05 2015 at 15:42
Originally posted by itaymm itaymm wrote:

Hi!

I'm considering moving to Canada or the USA.
There are a lot of considerations I'm taking, and I think the local music scene should be an important one.

I was wondering where in the US and Canada (which region/state), one could attend many prog concerts, or generally, prog-related music. Anything you'd say is interesting.

I'm talking about both tours of big bands like Dream Theater, Opeth, Haken, etc...
but also about small bands, whom I probably haven't even heard of.

So, Canadians and US citizens, please help :)


Eastern USA:  as close to New York City as possible is probably your best bet.

However, I'm not as familiar with the west coast prog scene, so others might be more helpful.
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Points: 8667 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: October 05 2015 at 18:44
Bay Area California has a pretty good scene with a bunch of interesting band and a lot of bands stop in San Fran when they get the chance.
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Points: 17817 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: October 05 2015 at 19:33
West coast would be LA first, San Fran 2nd and Seattle 3rd. It can be very expensive for prog bands from across the pond to travel to the US and play. Number one, visas can be difficult and the expense of traveling within the US is not cheap. So when they come they tend to stay on the east coast, flying from the UK to LA or San Fran or Seattle is expensive and far.

Bands like Dream Theater play all over the US......Steven Wilson plays all over too, he has been to Seattle many times. I would love to see Haken but they have yet to make it to the west coast, but I am not sure, maybe they have played LA. I have yet to see Marillion in Seattle, they have played LA. But yet in Seattle we have seen PT, Steven Wilson, Dream Theater, Neal Morse, Transatlantic, Aristocrats, TFK, it can always be better though........

From a move perspective there are many, many reasons to consider where to live than just live shows.
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Points: 1127 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: October 05 2015 at 20:47
Originally posted by itaymm itaymm wrote:

Hi!

I'm considering moving to Canada or the USA.
There are a lot of considerations I'm taking, and I think the local music scene should be an important one.

I was wondering where in the US and Canada (which region/state), one could attend many prog concerts, or generally, prog-related music. Anything you'd say is interesting.

I'm talking about both tours of big bands like Dream Theater, Opeth, Haken, etc...
but also about small bands, whom I probably haven't even heard of.

So, Canadians and US citizens, please help :)

Hi.
I am curious,if you don't mind?
Which country are you in now ?

I am in Toronto.Great music scene,but maybe not too much for prog.
I hear Montreal is good for that.
But you may have to learn French.
Shake & bake.
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Points: 20738 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: October 05 2015 at 21:41
East Coast has to be New York, Boston and Phillie don't seem to be too bad
Ian

Host of the Post-Avant Jazzcore Happy Hour on Progrock.com

https://podcasts.progrock.com/post-avant-jazzcore-happy-hour/
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kenethlevine View Drop Down
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Points: 8940 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: October 05 2015 at 21:54
I'm Canadian born and now live in the US northeast (Boston).  For prog, this (anywhere from Washington DC up to Boston) is the place to be.  

Back in the 1970s, there was no place like Montreal, and, as others have suggested, it's probably still pretty good.  They suffered a blow in the late 1970s when the main prog station completely abandoned all but the biggest names, having previously supported a lively scene in which bands little known elsewhere could flourish.  Both Ottawa and Toronto were kinder to prog in the 1980s and 1990s, and are probably still pretty good.  Montreal has had a revival in recent years, with several prog festivals.  

But if you look at the US Northeast, you've got the population density of major urban centers in close proximity, allowing for more economical touring for an audience that tends to be fairly urban (or at least suburban) anyway.

Now, if you liked the outdoors and wilderness, then I would recommend California, New Mexico, Colorado, and the Pacific Northwest (Oregon, Washington state, or British Columbia province).  They've got it all!


Edited by kenethlevine - October 05 2015 at 21:59
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Points: 3167 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: October 05 2015 at 21:55
I would recommend Philly as you can live cheaply and still travel to NYC for the best shows. NYC is an expensive jerkwad to live within. Or you could try Rhode Island or Connecticut and hit up both Boston and NYC. That would be the best place to be hitting up the underground prog.

Edited by Smurph - October 05 2015 at 21:56
http://pseudosentai.bandcamp.com/



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The Rock View Drop Down
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Points: 746 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: October 05 2015 at 22:36
Quebec province.Montreal and Quebec city are a fine axis for all things prog.Big names,smaller ones and locals too.We recently had Three Friends for a few shows in the area.Saga and PFM are coming soon.King Crimson will play Montreal in February....
What's gonna come out of my mouth is gonna come out of my soul."Skip Prokop"
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Atavachron View Drop Down
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Points: 65152 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: October 05 2015 at 22:54
Bay Area is great for tours but NY is better.





Edited by Atavachron - October 05 2015 at 22:55
"Too often we enjoy the comfort of opinion without the discomfort of thought."   -- John F. Kennedy
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Points: 5262 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: October 06 2015 at 03:36
Originally posted by gr8dane gr8dane wrote:


I am curious,if you don't mind?
Which country are you in now ?

I am in Toronto.Great music scene,but maybe not too much for prog.
I hear Montreal is good for that.
But you may have to learn French.


You have to learn French in Quebec, but it's best to learn English in Montreal...
Music is the refuge of souls ulcerated by happiness.

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Points: 8940 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: October 06 2015 at 11:03
here is a link to progmontreal that should give you a sense of the scene

http://progmontreal.com/eng/main_eng.html
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Points: 8146 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: October 16 2015 at 11:42
I'm on the Mississippi--Wisconsin/Iowa/Minnesota. Not much here. Chicago gets them and has a little alternative scene. Milwaukee, Madison and Minneapolis also get some bands on tour. If you like cows, horses, and the music of corn and soy growing, this might be your place. Having Swedish, Norwegian, German or Swiss background also gives you a bit of an advantage here.

I would agree that it seems that the East Coast megalopolis (Boston down to D.C.) would be your best bet. 
Drew Fisher
https://progisaliveandwell.blogspot.com/
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