*** WORLD EXCLUSIVE IN 2020 ***
‘INTO THE ELECTRIC CASTLE – A Space Opera’ LIVE ON STAGE
AYREON is a progressive rock project by Dutch songwriter, singer, multi-instrumentalist and producer Arjen Anthony Lucassen. Ayreon’s albums contain complex storylines featuring a lot of different characters. Their concept albums are critically acclaimed and very popular among fans. The music brings together classic progressive rock instruments with more classical or folk instruments.
The album ‘Into the Electric Castle’, originally released in 1998, has made a big impact in the progressive and symphonic rock/metal scene and is considered by many to be a classic album in the genre. To celebrate the album’s 20th anniversary it’s been completely re-mixed, re-mastered and re-released with exclusive limited edition packaging. The re-release of this classic album made this the perfect moment to create a live show.
Ayreon played four shows at the 013 venue in Tilburg (The Netherlands) in September 2019 and the four shows were sold out within 48 hours and brought fans together from 64 different countries! After Tilburg this year, Ayreon will add another exciting chapter to its live history – headlining the Night Of The Prog Festival 2020!
Arjen Lucassen says: “I’ve been a prog lover my entire life, so headlining Night of the Prog festival with Ayreon feels really special! Many of my favorite bands have played there, and it will be an honor for us to perform on the same stage. Ayreon very rarely performs live, so this will be an exclusive show — your only chance to see Ayreon live in 2020. We’ll be playing the entire Electric Castle album, like we did in September 2019 in Holland. Plus some extras… if you’re up for it!”
Ayreon mastermind Arjen Lucassen and keyboardist Joost van den Broek have gathered nearly the entire original cast of Into the Electric Castle and several special guests to perform Ayreon’s ‘space opera’ in its entirety as a live show on the Loreley at NIGHT OF THE PROG 2020. It will be a world exclusive show in 2020! Visitors can expect a massive, state-of-the-art live production with a unique decor, visuals and stage effects. While the 2017 ’Ayreon Universe’ show was a bombastic, full-tilt rock show, musically the ‘Into the Electric Castle’ show will be more dynamic, atmospheric and versatile, translating the original album in the most authentic way possible. This AYREON show will be the perfect match for the UNSECO world heritage festival site on the Loreley!
Arjen about the chance and challenge to play at Night Of The Prog: “When Night of the Prog first invited us we thought it would be impossible to bring our huge production with no less than 25 musicians to the festival stage. But hey… challenge accepted! Our giant metal castle is too big to take with us, but we will have a big LED screen with amazing visuals. And most of all I’m happy to say we’ll be bringing most of the original musicians from the album! Looking forward to seeing all you Ayreon fans there (and secretly hoping to convert any unbelievers)!”
Alongside Arjen Lucassen himself, who will be singing his original album role of ‘the Hippie’, there will be plenty of singers and instrumentalists sharing the stage:
Original cast: Anneke van Giersbergen (VUUR), Damian Wilson, Thijs van Leer (Focus), Ed Warby (Ayreon), Edward Reekers (ex-Kayak), Edwin Balogh, George Oosthoek (ex-Orphanage).
Special guests: Simone Simons (Epica), Mark Jansen (Mayan), John Jaycee Cuijpers (Praying Mantis), Marcela Bovio (Mayan), Dianne van Giersbergen (Ex Libris), Jan Willem Ketelaars (Knight Area) …plus an extra special guest ‘to be announced’.
Instrumentalists: Johan van Stratum (VUUR), Joost van den Broek (After Forever), Marcel Singor (Kayak), Ferry Duijsens (VUUR), Bob Wijtsma (Ex Libris), Ben Mathot, Jurriaan Westerveld.
“It’s a huge challenge, both with respect to the music and the production”, says lead producer Joost van den Broek, “but with the experience we’ve gathered by doing the Universe and festival shows and the amazing team we have, I’m sure we’re ready to take this next step in bringing ‘Into the Electric Castle’ to the stage. We are aiming for the most authentic and very detailed translation of the entire album, staying true to the original vibe, dynamics and sound, plus adding some extras here and there. It will be a big pleasure to share the stage with all these excellent musicians, playing this classic prog-rock opus live for Ayreon’s fans!”
AYREON will headline and perform in the later evening on Saturday, 18th July 2020. We offer special Hotel & Shuttle services. Check this link for details.
OFFICIAL WEBSITES & SOCIAL MEDIA
Website: https://www.arjenlucassen.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ArjenLucassenOfficial/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/arjenlucassen
20th Anniversary Edition of „Into The Electric Castle“
Amazon DE: https://amzn.to/2tcOoBZ
Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/38Clqf3
JPC: http://bit.ly/2rNTCE2