Some quick notes on last night's Raleigh show:
- PNC Arena now charges $40 to park, even for events like Disney on Ice and hockey games. Who are they kidding? You can pre pay online for $30. Make that $33 - don't forget those fees! You can also park across the street at a school for free but it is too damn cold for all that walking. So I started off on a sour note since I hate being gouged for parking.
- Once again, the sound is so shitty. Low, no balls, no bass, no crunch. I don't know if it is just this arena but it ruins the show.
- I am mostly there for Savatage stuff, being a lifelong fan. There were a few 'tage moments but it's never enough.
- No meet and greet. I think they stopped doing it during Covid and it never returned.
- It was great to hear Queen of the Winter Night live again which has to be very challenging to sing. Cool new visual too which I will not spoil.
- There was also a new visual on the back of the floor. Something new to burn but I am not sure where it fits in. Will not spoil!
- My girlfriend and I were the only two losers with Savatage shirts. Very light crowd. Lots of grandparents and grandkids.
- We saw lots of people leaving early. I think many left during singer intros thinking this was the end of the show. Checking Reddit's TSO page, this is apparently common.
- Based on the charity check, they sold less than 11,000 tickets. PNC claims to hold 20,000. Assume 1/3 is closed off since it is behind the stage, it does not sound like a sell out. Most seats filled up eventually except for the ones on the extreme sides of the stage. If I go again, I will sit there. More breathing room and a fresh perspective.
- This show was centered around that terrible Hallmark movie which makes me cringe.
- The huge nutcrackers with TSO hats were cool but they should sell them at the merch table. Lost opportunity.
- They started at 7:15 and ended at 9:30, perfectly choreographed to the second.
- I feel like a spoiled asshole being bored with these shows but... I am. They really invest in the visuals while the sound and setlist is flat.