Moondance

Well, the travel to two shows by train wasn't cheap whatsoever, even in 2017.

When I was talking to Troy, I asked him if he knew about Kate Bush's music. He told me that he did, and that he got to end up meeting her after one of her shows. (I believe this was the Before the Dawn performances Kate Bush did in 2014.) I told him that when I was listening to one of her songs, The Sensual World and its remake, Flower of the Mountain, that the pipes in the song(s) reminded me of his playing and felt similar.

I did end up going to see Xandria twice back in 2017, four months before their vocalist Dianne van Giersbergen left. Saw them in both Montreal and Toronto, as it was the first show that I travelled to see them in concert as I hadn't seen them at the time, but knew about their music. The merch options were so small, but the VIP benefits that I got from the Meet and Greet tickets on both shows were, I was able to get one free shirt, as they only had two shirts available at merch, as well as two pieces of jewelry that Dianne made. I still have those shirts and got two sets of the jewelry - which came with a free card signed by Dianne. When I was at the Meet and Greet in Toronto and approached the band for the picture, they said when they saw me that I must be a mega fan.

Looks like Xandria is making a return after their last show in 2019.

Found a review for the May 4, 2022 show in Toronto from Spill Magazine: SPILL LIVE REVIEW: NIGHTWISH w/ BEAST IN BLACK @ HISTORY, TORONTO - The Spill Magazine

Shortly after I arrived at the venue, there was. I started with me, and then two others appeared. And then there was three, and then six people. One guy who was there from Costa Rica had a customized flag that he really badly wanted to get signed. He didn't get all the signatures, but he is going to the Montreal show so hopefully he will be able to get all of them. When Kai was going off to Harvey's for lunch, I was talking to him as I was going to get lunch from there as well. Then I saw five of the fans coming to ask Kai for photos and autographs, he was like "Oh boy" with a smile on his face and he was cool about it. Jukka Koskinen also came out to talk with us and have photos and signatures from the Harvey's restaurant he was about to get food from. Emppu ended up walking out, but was really quickly walking as people begged for his autograph. He waved to us, so it is a good enough gesture - as he was in a hurry. As we lined up, a couple more people showed up. Eventually later in the day, more people. Then the YouTube reviewers A&P Reacts appeared, both of them who have known me for a while as I was attending the shows. They were talking to both Jukka and Yannis Papadopoulos from the opening act Beast in Black. (They have an interview with Yannis coming up soon.) So yes, there were a few of us at first which surprised me a lot as I wasn't expecting that.

The Toronto show tonight was amazing like every other show I went to. I woke up at 6:15 this morning and had breakfast - then caught the train down to Toronto and arrived very early to the venue at 9pm. At 12-1pm, the tour buses arrived behind the venue and Troy came out, coming over to me in which I had a picture with him and gave him a cupcake cake that I got for the band as well as giving me one of his guitar picks. I ended up later meeting Jukka Koskinen, Kai Hahto and Floor Jansen as they went going about - also having pictures with them. For quite a small venue, the acoustics sounded amazing and it was a big stage. The audience was loud as I was when the band first stepped onto the stage. The setlist is identical to the previous shows on this tour - but nevertheless... I loved it.

They did have some stuff. They had signed vinyls, and a signed drum head - though it is quite expensive.

They even have a limited edition of drumsticks that Kai Hahto uses.

I'm debating if I should bring a cake for the band (though it probably won't be allowed). I was thinking that it would be a chocolate cake with writing on top saying "Toronto - First show of the North American tour".

I am currently playing on the PC. It is how I am playing the Pixel Remasters of the first 6 Final Fantasy games. I do own an Xbox One as well, though I play Red Dead Redemption 2's single player from time to time.

Mario Kart counts, so yes. 🙂 Yep, I went as far back as that - and I haven't even gone to the very first game yet. It's not that hard though when you are grinding in game for leveling up the characters and to get the extra gil for the upgrade to the armor and weapons. It does take time to level-grind though.

I discovered that band before Nightwish too! I remember seeing the music video for "Going Under" on MuchMusic back when I was a kid and thought it was the most interesting out of all the music videos they aired. Lucky me got to see them perform in 2017 when they had the orchestra with them. Floor did say in an interview recently that she isn't going to leave Nightwish. But if the band does have a few years left, there's always a chance they could go out with a huge 'hoorah!' (one more album and a farewell tour). I do agree though, the three mentioned are rare.

Other than New York City from what I last remember, they haven't offered it for Toronto. I think it was the changes from the pandemic or the EnterTheVault scandal that is the reason why they have stopped. Though, I do assume it is because of new management decisions.

It sounds like you had a great time! 🤘 You just about sum up how I feel at a Nightwish concert when I go to one each and every time they come around to Toronto. Glad you had a lot of fun, and I look forward to seeing them on May 4.

I am very curious on what video games everyone plays here whether it is single-player or online. I am currently going through the Final Fantasy series, which I am enjoying a lot - as well the music notably composed by Nobuo Uematsu. I have already completed FF4, FF7, FF8, FF9 and FFX. I currently am playing through FF5, and am really enjoying the characters in that one. My favorite so far from the Final Fantasy games is FF9.

I have seen Epica twice in two years, and have had the opportunity to meet the band, including Simone Simons. I still have my picture with her as she left the tour bus and I asked for a photo with her back in 2016. I later had a group photo with the band in 2017, and was joined with a friend who is also a huge fan of Epica.

I remember going to see Avantasia in concert back in 2016, though it would have limited tour dates. I got really excited once I saw that Jorn Lande was performing with them, as he entered during "The Scarecrow".

I can officially confirm that I will be at the Toronto show this May. Already can't wait, and will for old times' sake - be doing a Nightwish binge of listening to their music and getting ready to see them in concert. Hope I will be at the front row for the show like I have been for the past two tours.

An incredible setlist. I hope they will perform "Pan" when they come to Toronto this May.