Gigantour
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Gigantour is the name of an annual six-week traveling heavy metal music festival organized by Megadeth's Dave Mustaine. The tour was founded in 2005 with dates across North America, and the 2006 and 2007 line-ups also travelled to Australia. The bands appearing at the festival were chosen by Mustaine because he wanted to "put together a festival that consisted of positive bands that play heavy music in a high energy environment." The tour is set as an alternative to tours such as Ozzfest.[citation needed]
Among the stated goals of the tour are to cater to fans of many different styles of metal, as well as to introduce fans to less familiar acts. This is accomplished through the second stage, which hosts less-well-known metal bands.
The name Gigantour was inspired by the classic 1960s Anime "Gigantor". The Gigantour logo was inspired by The Terminator logo. The logo was conceived and designed by Dave Mustaine and Megadeth.com webmaster Dave McRobb.
The Festival
 | This article may be written from a fan's point of view, rather than a neutral point of view. (May 2008) |
Since the formation of Megadeth in 1983, they have toured with some of the biggest names in metal — from Iron Maiden to Anthrax — and are in fact one of the biggest names themselves. However, they have also performed with several highly respected bands that are not quite as popular.[citation needed] Each of the bands that were picked for Gigantour was chosen because Dave Mustaine believed it was among the best of the bands that he had played with or heard in his career with Megadeth, regardless of how many albums it had sold.[citation needed] Such bands as Dream Theater, Nevermore and Overkill are all highly respected by members of many other big-name bands and have strong followings in the metal world, but they are not nearly as commercially successful as big-name metal bands.[citation needed] Gigantour is an event that brings bands together for no other reason than the fact that they put on a great show.
Furthermore, the tour was devised as a way to cater to fans of many different styles of metal in the one package.[citation needed] There is much cross-over appeal in each of the bands on the bill, but they normally would not appear on a bill together unless it was another mainstream festival.[citation needed] Gigantour is a chance for fans of all styles of metal to see the best of many different styles in one place, with the music solely focused on great heavy metal, and not on current trends and fashions.
The First Gigantour (2005)
Line-Up and Tour Dates
Main Stage: Megadeth, Dream Theater (Jul 21 - Sep 3), Anthrax (Sep 6 - Sep 11), Fear Factory, The Dillinger Escape Plan, Nevermore
Second Stage: Life of Agony, Symphony X, Dry Kill Logic, Bobaflex
July
21 Fresno, CA - Selland Arena
22 Las Vegas, NV - Thomas and Mack Center
23 Phoenix, AZ - Cricket Pavilion
24 Irvine, CA - Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
26 Sacramento, CA - The Cove
28 San Diego, CA - SDSU Open Air Theater
29 Tucson, AZ - Casino Del Sol
30 Albuquerque, NM - Journal Pavilion
August
01 San Antonio, TX - Lonestar Pavilion
02 Dallas, TX - Nokia Live
03 Corpus Christi, TX - Concrete Street Amphitheater
05 Atlanta(Duluth), GA - Arena at Gwinnett Center
06 Orlando, FL - Hard Rock Live (see picture on right)
07 West Palm Beach, FL - Sound Advice Amphitheater
08 Tampa, FL - St. Pete Times Forum
10 Detroit(Clarkston), MI - DTE Energy Music Theatre
11 Ft. Wayne, IN - Coliseum Expo
12 Chicago, IL - Tweeter Center
13 Milwaukee, WI - Eagles Ballroom Complex
14 Cleveland, OH - Tower City Amphitheater
16 Cincinnati, OH - Annie's Outdoor Pavilion
17 Pittsburgh, PA - Chevrolet Amphitheater
19 Portland, ME - Civic Center
20 Manchester, NH - Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
21 Poughkeepsie, NY - Mid-Hudson Civic Center
23 Wantagh, NY - Jones Beach Amphitheater
24 Holmdel, NJ - PNC Bank Arts Center
26 Boston, MA - Bank Of America Pavilion
27 Reading, PA - Sovereign Center
28 Atlantic City, NJ - House Of Blues
30 Buffalo, NY - Darien Lake Amphitheater
31 Huntington, WV - Big Sandy Superstore Arena
September
02 Montreal, QC - Bell Centre
03 Toronto, ON - Molson Amphitheatre
06 Edmonton, AB - Shaw Conference Center
07 Calgary, AB - Stampede Corral
09 Vancouver, BC - PNE Coliseum
10 Seattle, WA - White River Amphitheater
11 Portland, OR - Clark County Amphitheater
Notes and Highlights
Lack of a second stage on some tour stops
July 28, 2005 - San Diego, CA
For the San Diego show there was no space for a second stage at the venue, and so many bands were left off the bill. As a result only four bands played that day, with Nevermore opening, followed by Fear Factory, Dream Theater, and Megadeth closing the show. To compensate for the glaring lack of advertised bands, however, each band performed extended sets, with Dream Theater and Megadeth playing (approximately) an hour and a half each.[citation needed]
August 7, 2005 - West Palm Beach, FL
The only second stage band that got to play this show was Bobaflex, with the rest of the bands being unable to play due to inclement weather. The first stage, being covered, was unaffected. All the bands still participated in their Meet 'N' Greet sessions.[citation needed]
"Cemetery Gates" Tribute to Dimebag Darrell
August 2, 2005 - Dallas, TX
Special Tribute to Dimebag Darrell by Dream Theater, Dave Mustaine of Megadeth, Burton C. Bell of Fear Factory, and Russell Allen of Symphony X performing "Cemetery Gates". This performance is included on the bonus disc of the DVD.
Mike Portnoy joined by Richard Christy on stage
August 23 and 24, 2005
During Dream Theater's set, Mike Portnoy brought Richard Christy of Death on stage for a long drum solo. The two got on the huge drum kit and exchanged parts of famous heavy metal favorites such as "Hot For Teacher" (Van Halen), "YYZ" (Rush), "Run To The Hills" and "Where Eagles Dare" (Iron Maiden), "Raining Blood" (Slayer) and many others — some of which featured accompaniment from John Petrucci on guitar.
The Dillinger Escape Plan were forced to cancel the tour
August 30, 2005
The Dillinger Escape Plan were forced to pull out of their remaining Gigantour live dates because of an injury to guitarist Ben Weinman. Weinman severely re-injured his arm at the House Of Blues in Atlantic City and was told by a specialist that he would be unable to perform until further notice.[citation needed] His arm had previously injured several months before.
Mike Portnoy jams with Megadeth
September 3, 2005 - Toronto
Dream Theater played their last Gigantour date in Toronto. As a surprise, Mike Portnoy joined Dave Mustaine, James MacDonough, Shawn Drover, and Glen Drover performing "Peace Sells". Portnoy played the drums while Shawn Drover picked up a guitar and was the third guitar player on the stage. Drover did one of the solos and surprised everyone in the crowd.[citation needed] Unfortunately, his guitar was unplugged for a fair bit of the song. According to Megadeth bassist James Macdonough, Portnoy pulled a prank on Drover by dumping baby powder on the snare drum when he was getting off the drum kit. As soon as Megadeth ripped into "Holy Wars", Shawn's snare drum turned into a "smoke" machine. Portnoy admitted to the prank on the DVD. This is one example of many pranks done towards the end of Gigantour shows.[citation needed]
"Peace Sells" featuring Gigantour bands and tour managers
September 10, 2005 - Seattle, WA
Scott Ian, Charlie Benante, and Joey Belladonna of Anthrax, along with Burton C. Bell of Fear Factory, members from Bobaflex, tour managers from Fear Factory and Anthrax, and others, joined Megadeth on stage to sing "Peace Sells".
"Back In The Day" and happy birthday wish to Mustaine
September 11, 2005 - Portland, OR
The Portland show (which was actually played in Vancouver, Washington) marked the end of Gigantour's inaugural year. As a special farewell, members from all the bands and crew of Gigantour sang together the Megadeth song "Back In The Day." The show was wrapped up with a surprise happy birthday song to Dave Mustaine, whose birthday is September 13.
Gigantour 2 North America (2006)
Line-Up and Tour Dates
Main Stage: Megadeth, Lamb of God, Opeth, Arch Enemy
Second Stage: Overkill, Into Eternity, Sanctity, The SmashUp
September
06 Boise, ID - Idaho Center
08 Oakland, CA - Oakland Coliseum
09 San Diego, CA - Cox Arena
10 San Bernardino, CA - Hyundai Pavilion
12 Las Vegas, NV - House Of Blues
13 Phoenix, AZ - Dodge Theatre
15 Salt Lake City, UT - E Center
16 Denver, CO - Coors Amphitheatre
17 Albuquerque, NM - Journal Pavilion
19 Oklahoma City, OK - Zoo Amphitheatre
21 Milwaukee, WI - Eagles Ballroom
22 Chicago, IL - Congress Theatre
23 Columbus, OH - Nationwide Arena
24 Detroit(Clarkston), MI - DTE Energy Music Theatre
25 Toronto, ON - Molson Amphitheatre
27 Montreal, QC - Bell Centre
28 Uniondale, NY - Nassau Coliseum
29 Boston, MA - Bank Of America Pavilion(no second stage, Overkill opening)
30 Holmdel, NJ - PNC Bank Arts Center
October
01 Atlantic City, NJ - House Of Blues
03 Portsmouth, VA - Ntelos Pavilion Harbor Center
04 Charleston, SC - The Plex
06 Tampa, FL - St. Pete Times Forum
07 Sunrise, FL - Bank Atlantic Center
08 Orlando, FL - Hard Rock Live
Notes and Highlights
Guest Singers
At the September 23 show in Columbus, Angela Gossow joined Megadeth onstage during the second half of "Peace Sells". Earlier in the show, during Overkill's final song, two members of Lamb of God joined them onstage.[citation needed]
Lack of a second stage on some tour stops
At the September 9th show in San Diego, and September 29th show in Boston, there was no second stage. The bands that performed were, in order of appearance, Overkill, Arch Enemy, Opeth, Lamb of God, and Megadeth.
Mike Portnoy jams with Overkill
September 30, 2006 - Holmdel, NJ
Mike Portnoy from Dream Theater joined Overkill on stage for their song "Elimination".
Gigantour 2 Australia (2006)
Line-Up and Tour Dates
Megadeth, Soulfly, Arch Enemy, Caliban
October
21 Brisbane - Riverstage
22 Sydney - Hordern Pavilion
24 Melbourne - Festival Hall
28 *date canceled*
Gigantour 3 Australia (2007)
Line-Up and Tour Dates
Megadeth, Static-X, Lacuna Coil, DevilDriver, Bring Me The Horizon*
November
10 Perth - Metro City
12 Adelaide - Thebarton Theatre
13 Melbourne - Festival Hall
15 Sydney - Luna Park Big Top*
16 Sydney - Luna Park Big Top*
18 Brisbane - Riverstage*
Gigantour U.K. (2008)
Line-Up and Tour Dates
Megadeth, Job For A Cowboy, Evile
February
17 Norwich - UEA
18 Nottingham - Nottingham Rock City
19 Glasgow - Carling Academy Glasgow
20 Newcastle - Carling Academy Newcastle
22 Birmingham - Carling Academy Birmingham
23 Manchester - Manchester Academy
24 London - Brixton Academy
Gigantour 3 North America (2008)
Line-Up & Tour Dates
Megadeth, In Flames, Children Of Bodom, Job For A Cowboy, High On Fire.
Dave Mustaine wanted a shorter lineup so each band has a good chance to put on a show.
April
Sat 12 - Denver, CO - The Fillmore
Sun 13 - Albuquerque, NM - Journal Pavilion
Tue 15 - Dallas, TX - Nokia Theatre at Grand Prairie
Wed 16 - Corpus Christi, TX - Concrete Street Pavilion
Thu 17 - Houston, TX - Verizon Wireless Ampitheater
Sat 19 - Louisville, KY - Louisville Gardens
Sun 20 - Atlanta, GA - Masquerade Music Park
Tue 22 - New York, NY - Hammerstein Ballroom
Wed 23 - New York, NY - Hammerstein Ballroom (2nd show added)
Fri 25 - Worcester, MA - Palladium (WILL TAKE PLACE WITH New England Metal and Hardcore Festival)
Sat 26 - Columbia, MD - Merriweather Post Pavilion
Mon 28 - Quebec City, QC - Pavilion De La Jeunesse
Tue 29 - Montreal, QC - Bell Centre
Wed 30 - Toronto, ON - Arrow Hall
May
Thu 1 - London, ON - John Labatt Centre
Sat 3 - Detroit(Clarkston), MI - DTE Energy Music Theatre
Sun 4 - Cleveland, OH - Time Warner Cable Amphitheater
Tue 6 - Chicago, IL - Aragon Ballroom (Chicago)
Wed 7 - Milwaukee, WI - Eagles Ballroom
Fri 9 - Minneapolis, MN - Myth
Sat 10 - Winnipeg, MB - Convention Center
Sun 11 - Saskatoon, SK - Prairieland Exhibition Hall
Mon 12 - Edmonton, AB - Shaw Conference Center
Wed 14 - Calgary, AB - The Corral
Fri 16 - Vancouver, BC - Pacific Coliseum
Sat 17 - Salem, OR - Salem Armory
Mon 19 - San Jose, CA - Event Center @ San Jose State
Tue 20 - San Diego, CA - Cox Arena
Wed 21 - Los Angeles, CA - Long Beach Arena
Thu 22 - Phoenix, AZ - Mesa Amphitheatre
Notes and Highlights
Louisville, Ky - During the Children of Bodom performance, the barricades broke and the show was stopped for 30 minutes to repair them. Megadeth allowed Children of Bodom to finish their set and allowed In Flames to perform fully.
Edmonton, AB - A drink was thrown onto the sound board before Megadeth took the stage, and as a result Megadeth's performance was delayed significantly and the show was nearly cancelled. Later, during Megadeth's performance of À Tout le Monde, two people from the crowd got up on the stage and ran over to Mustaine. After the song was finished, Megadeth left the stage, and the show appeared to be over because of this incident. After approximately ten minutes, a very displeased Mustaine came back on stage and addressed the crowd. Megadeth then finished the set.[2]
Gigantour history summary
| Year | Months | Dates | Region toured | Bands |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | July-September | 39 | USA/Canada | Mainstage:Megadeth, Dream Theater (34 dates), Anthrax (5 dates), Fear Factory, The Dillinger Escape Plan (31 dates), Nevermore
|
| 2006 | September-October | 25 | USA/Canada | Mainstage:Megadeth, Lamb of God, Opeth, Arch Enemy
|
| 2006 | October | 4 | Australia | Mainstage: Megadeth, Soulfly, Arch Enemy, Caliban |
| 2007 | November | 6 | Australia | Mainstage:Megadeth, Static-X, Lacuna Coil, DevilDriver, Bring Me The Horizon (3 dates) |
| 2008 | February | 7 | UK | Mainstage: Megadeth, Job For A Cowboy, Evile |
| 2008 | April-May | 30 | USA/Canada | Mainstage: Megadeth, In Flames, Children Of Bodom, Job For A Cowboy, High On Fire |
Compilations
Mentioned on a few sites, including Arch Enemy singer Angela Gossow's MySpace blog, and the Music Video blog Video Static, was that the 10/07/2006 date in Sunrise, Florida was filmed by director Michael Serna (also the director of the 2005 Gigantour DVD) for a possible DVD, though with no mention of a CD (but probable due to the formats of last year's release).[1]
Notes
External links
- Gigantour official website
- Gigantour 2006 at MySpace
- Megadeth official website
- Interview with Dave Mustaine, The Sydney Morning Herald, 2006-10-13
