The North East Art Rock Festival , or NEARfest for short, was a multi-day event celebrating the resurgence of progressive and eclectic music in the United States and around the world. The event was held annually in early summer in Bethlehem , Pennsylvania , approximately one hour north of Philadelphia and less than two hours west of New York City . The festival was founded in the spring of 1998 by Robert LaDuca and Chad Hutchinson, with the first event occurring in 1999. NEARfest quickly grew to become "the most prestigious progressive music festival in the world."
36-513: On October 17, 2011, founders Hutchinson and LaDuca, and production manager Kevin Feeley announced that the final edition of the festival, entitled NEARfest Apocalypse , would take place on the weekend of June 22, 23, and 24, 2012 in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. The lineup for NEARfest Apocalypse was announced live on the long-running Gagliarchives Radio Program on Saturday, October 29, 2011. On May 24, 2012, it
72-856: A great crossover record. A track like 'Last Man Last Round' will fit into many Pendulum fans' heads, whereas their progressive elements are still prevalent in 'Open Insurrection'". The album was co-written and co-produced by Courtney and Tom Bellamy . The band played a series of live shows in London, Germany and the Netherlands during summer 2010, a short tour in Europe and the UK in November and December, and another mini-tour in Germany in February 2011. A one-off concert at London Scala marked
108-526: A hastily arranged gig at Leicester (the Square) 9 April 2007, and just one more full UK date on 15 October at Southampton University. The band released a 4-track EP of "Victorious Cupid" on ORG Records on 14 April 2008, accompanied by a one-off London show on 12 April 2008. The band played another one-off show at the Camden Barfly on 31 July 2008 which was followed by a ten-date mini-tour of Europe. This included
144-539: A large following in Germany, the band never gained popularity in the United States . The name Eloy is based on the futurist race of humans from the book The Time Machine by H. G. Wells (there spelled "Eloi"). Bornemann described the origin of the name of the band thus: "Wells describes in his book the situation of mankind about 800,000 years later, and 'Eloy' is a human race in his story. The Eloy in Wells' story have made
180-608: A national chart). Signing to SonyBMG in autumn 2004, the following year saw the band releasing two singles – the 12-minute-long Bright Ambassadors of Morning (the title is from a line in Pink Floyd 's Echoes on the Meddle album), and The Intention Craft – plus one mini-album, Cautionary Tales for the Brave . This was released to make up for delays in recording that meant the band would miss its original launch window. The use of so many of
216-461: A new start with the help of the time traveler. In a way, it was a new beginning for the human race. German rock bands in the late 1960s played mainly covers from other bands instead of playing their own compositions. Record deals for German bands were absolutely rare and German bands generally were considered to be second class bands in their own country. At that time it was a strong effort for a German band to come out with only their own compositions. It
252-575: A number of videos and television recordings from all periods of the band, as well as a documentary of the band's history. The band played at festivals in Germany and Switzerland in July 2011 with largely the same personnel as those on the 1994–1995 tour. The band was booked to headline the North East Art Rock Festival in June 2012 – its first North American concert – but had to cancel after Bornemann
288-511: A set in Bonn, Germany, which was recorded for German TV network WDR and will be broadcast in February 2009. Shows are also scheduled for the Eclipsed Magazine festival at Colos-Saal, Germany on 22 November 2008 and at London's Cargo on 26 November 2008. A live album entitled Live at NEARfest 2007 was released on 20 June 2008. In April 2008 the band signed to German label Superball Music for
324-509: Is a British rock group formed at the University of Westminster in 2003. Their music incorporates elements of progressive rock and electronic . Members have a shared appreciation for the work of bands such as Pink Floyd , Porcupine Tree , Nirvana , Justice , Kraftwerk and Fleetwood Mac . Pure Reason Revolution began as a band named The Sunset Sound in Reading, Berkshire , which featured
360-425: Is a comprehensive list by festival year. Availability may vary. NEARfest 1999 NEARfest 2000 NEARfest 2001 NEARfest 2002 NEARfest 2003 NEARfest 2004 NEARfest 2005 NEARfest 2006 Eloy (band) Eloy is a German rock band. Founded in 1969 by guitarist Frank Bornemann , the band is best known for their progressive rock music. Founded in 1969 by guitarist Frank Bornemann ,
396-492: Is darker and less spacey, whilst remaining surreal and symbolic. The band completed its third studio album, entitled Hammer and Anvil , released via Superball Music on 15 October 2010 in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, and 18 October in the rest of Europe. The new music continued the dark, electronic themes of Amor Vincit Omnia , and was partially inspired by themes of World War I and II . According to Rock Sound , "the band have retained most of their heavy hooks to create
SECTION 10
#1733086327626432-493: The NEARfest Facebook page .) From 2001 to 2008, the ever-changing festival logo was designed by British artist Roger Dean , famous for his work with Yes and Asia . Starting in 2009, Mark Wilkinson ( Marillion and Fish album covers) took over the logo duties for the show. For the final edition of the festival in 2012, NEARfest Apocalypse, both Roger Dean and Mark Wilkinson provided artwork. Both artists also attended
468-528: The Courtney brothers, Chloë Alper and, for a short while, Jim Dobson. The Courtney brothers had previously played with pop punk guitar band Gel, which was scouted and signed by Seymour Stein , the founder of Sire . Alper used to front Period Pains , who scored a hit with an anti- Spice Girls song in 1997. The band was completed by Tom Leathes ( vocals , guitar ) and Bob Cooper ( bass guitar ). Debut single "Moving" picked up radio airplay on BBC Radio 1 (where
504-665: The EP, Valour . On 12 October 2018, Pure Reason Revolution were announced as co-headliners of the Midsummer Prog Festival to be held in June 2019 at the Openluchtheater, Valkenburg, Netherlands. Jon Courtney and Chloe Alper were the only members of the band to return. They released a new album, Eupnea , in April 2020 on InsideOut, which was stylistically closer to their first release. The band were also scheduled to appear at "Prog in
540-472: The European version was released under licence to InsideOut Music . Pure Reason Revolution supported Blackfield on their European tour in February 2007. This was their first support tour with new drummer Paul Glover. Their live set had few changes, one of which was a reworked reprise of the album bonus track "Golden Clothes", in which all band members played synthesizers and end singing a cappella . Following
576-897: The Mesozoic , Under the Sun, White Willow , Deus Ex Machina , Porcupine Tree Day 2: The Underground Railroad , Djam Karet , California Guitar Trio with Tony Levin , After Crying , Banco del Mutuo Soccorso Independent pre-show: Land of Chocolate , The Red Masque , Electric Sheepdog, Wine of Nails NEARfest 2000 Day 1: North Star, D.F.A. , Iluvatar, Anekdoten , Happy the Man Day 2: Nexus , Thinking Plague , Il Balletto di Bronzo , Pär Lindh Project , Transatlantic Official pre-show: echolyn , Priam NEARfest 1999 Day 1: Alaska, Scott McGill's Hand Farm, Larry Fast , Mastermind , IQ Day 2: Nathan Mahl , Ice Age , Crucible, Solaris , Spock's Beard (Setlists and personnel can be found on
612-1144: The North , The Tony Levin Band NEARfest 2005 Day 1: Wobbler , Frogg Cafe, Steve Roach , Present , IQ Day 2: Knight Area, The Muffins , Matthew Parmenter, Kenso, Le Orme Progressive Arts Preshow: PFM , Proto-Kaw NEARfest 2004 Day 1: Yezda Urfa , Pallas , Richard Pinhas , Mike Keneally Band , Univers Zero Day 2: Hidria Spacefolk , Metamorfosi , Sean Malone , Planet X , Strawbs Progressive Arts Preshow: The Musical Box NEARfest 2003 Day 1: High Wheel, Alamaailman Vasarat , Tunnels , The Flower Kings , Magma Day 2: Sleepytime Gorilla Museum , Glass Hammer , Kraan , Änglagård , Camel The Laser's Edge/Cuneiform Records Preshow: Miriodor , Woodenhead , IZZ NEARfest 2002 Day 1: La Torre dell'Alchimista, Miriodor , Isildurs Bane, echolyn , Nektar Day 2: Spaced Out, Gerard , Enchant , Caravan , Steve Hackett The Laser's Edge/Cuneiform Records Preshow: McGill/Manring/Stevens, Doctor Nerve , Dysrhythmia NEARfest 2001 Day 1: Birdsongs of
648-649: The States , Secret Machines , and Oceansize , as well as headlining their own gigs and recorded sessions for Mark Radcliffe 's Radio Two show and XFM . In spring 2005, Jong left the band, to be replaced by another Westminster pal Jamie Willcox, though it is Jong's work featured on recorded output up to, and including, The Dark Third . Both Jong and Willcox receive credits on the album The Dark Third . The band sometimes allowed fans to listen to streaming material via its MySpace website, including works in progress and exclusive Christmas tracks. The first album, The Dark Third
684-516: The band began their most extensive tour to date, comprising about 12 concerts in the UK and approximately 22 in mainland Europe. The band were track of the week on Kerrang! Radio and track of the day in Classic Rock Magazine – which also featured a double-page spread on the band in their quarterly prog-rock issue. A single from the album, "Deus Ex Machina", was released as a download only on 24 March 2009. Promo-CDs with three versions of
720-430: The band has endured several line-up changes, with Bornemann being the only consistent member of the group. In the 1980s, after a series of major splits in the group, Bornemann pursued a more commercial direction. However, in later years, former members of the band re-joined, and in 1998 released the album Ocean 2 , a return to the classic symphonic progressive rock genre for which the band was well known. Despite attracting
756-487: The band was championed by alternative-music guru Steve Lamacq ), XFM and LA's KROQ. Courtney J, Dobson and Greg Jong met at the University of Westminster 2000–2003 and went through a number of name changes before settling on Pure Reason Revolution (PRR), including The Wow and Pendulum Dawn. The band signed to Alan McGee 's Poptones label for a one-off release of "Apprentice of the Universe" (peaking at No. 74 in
SECTION 20
#1733086327626792-401: The band's biggest headline gig to date, and included contributions from Tom Bellamy and the string section of Clean Bandit , as well as one of the first performances of "Bullitts Dominae" (a fan favourite which had previously not been played live). On 9 August 2011, the band announced that they were splitting up, with final shows in the UK in November 2011. On 5 November 2011, the band released
828-485: The band. He was replaced by Paul Glover, formerly of the band Wire Jesus. Jim Dobson then left the band in November 2006. Although there was no formal announcement regarding his departure, a notice on the band's forum explained that nothing more could be said, for "legal reasons". With sales from The Dark Third being significantly less than expected, the band were dropped from Sony/BMG in December 2006. On 16 February 2007,
864-1732: The management announced that 2011 edition had been cancelled. On October 13, 2011, Hutchinson and LaDuca returned to the helm and, along with Feeley, announced that NEARfest would return in 2012. Additionally, on October 17, 2011, a subsequent announcement indicated that NEARfest Apocalypse , held the weekend of June 22, 23, and 24th, 2012, would be the final edition of the festival. NEARfest Apocalypse (2012) Day 0: Aranis , Van der Graaf Generator Day 1: Helmet of Gnats, Twelfth Night , Änglagård , Renaissance Day 2: Gösta Berlings Saga, Il Tempio delle Clessidre, Mike Keneally Band , U.K. NEARfest 2011 (cancelled) NEARfest 2010 Day 0: Riverside , Steve Hackett Day 1: Astra , Forgas Band Phenomena , Iona , Three Friends Day 2: Moraine, Pineapple Thief , The Enid , Eddie Jobson 's Ultimate Zero Project NEARfest 2009 Day 0: Van der Graaf Generator , Steve Hillage Band Day 1: Cabezas de Cera, Oblivion Sun, D.F.A. , Gong Day 2: Quantum Fantay, Beardfish , Trettioåriga Kriget , PFM NEARfest X (2008) Day 0: Synergy , Fish Day 1: Koenji Hyakkei , Discipline , Peter Hammill , Liquid Tension Experiment Day 2: Mörglbl, Radio Massacre International , echolyn , Banco del Mutuo Soccorso NEARfest 2007 Day 1: IZZ , NeBeLNeST, Bob Drake , Magenta , Hawkwind Day 2: Indukti , La Maschera di Cera, Robert Rich , Pure Reason Revolution , Magma Progressive Arts Preshow: Allan Holdsworth , Secret Oyster, One Shot NEARfest 2006 Day 1: KBB, Riverside , Richard Leo Johnson, FM , Ozric Tentacles Day 2: Guapo , Michael Manring , Ange , Niacin , Keith Emerson Progressive Arts Preshow: Hatfield and
900-586: The proposed album tracks on a mini-album led the band to develop some new material for the album, including "The Twyncyn/Trembling Willows". Releases were on the band's own Holograph imprint, via SonyBMG. In March 2005, the band played the South by Southwest festival in Austin, Texas, before playing several North American dates, and they regularly played on the British club circuit. During this time, PRR supported Mew , Hope of
936-479: The release of their next album, about which manager Jonathan Cooke made the following statement: "It was refreshing to find a situation that combines the artist commitment and enthusiasm of an indie with the ambition of a major. Signing a longer-term deal with Superball Music for album 2 onwards was an easy decision to make". On 28 November 2008 they confirmed their second album would be titled Amor Vincit Omnia and would be released on 9 March 2009. On 5 March 2009,
972-495: The show. Prior to Roger's and Mark's involvement, there were two other logos for the show. The NEARfest 2000 logo was designed by Paul Whitehead , who is known for his album artwork for Van der Graaf Generator , Genesis , and Italian prog-rock band Le Orme . The inaugural NEARfest logo was designed by co-founder Chad Hutchinson in 1999. In addition to Roger Dean and Mark Wilkinson, Annie Haslam of Renaissance has attended several NEARfests to display her oil paintings. Annie
1008-626: The single were distributed at gigs on the 2009 tour. Recent material was considerably more electronic, a departure from their more dreamy, classic-prog style of The Dark Third . According to Organ magazine, "Pure Reason Revolution are such a strange band...they're a mating of angelic prog rock harmony in the style of Yes, and old school Man Parrish hip hop style stripped down Justice electro funk. This actually works." The change of style has been reflected in Amor Vincit Omnia ' s artwork, designed entirely by bassist/vocalist Chloe Alper, which
1044-541: The tour, the band began recording the follow-up to The Dark Third . In June, the band journeyed to the US again to play at the 2007 edition of the renowned progressive/art rock festival NEARfest , as well as at three other clubs. These shows saw the debut of a new song called "Deus Ex Machina". Pure Reason Revolution also opened for Porcupine Tree on their 'Tour of a Blank Planet' European tour in June/July 2007. The band also played
1080-429: Was a start into an unknown future, and from this point of view, comparable to the human race in Wells' story. That is why I got the idea to name the band 'Eloy'." Bornemann reunited Eloy for its 40th anniversary in 2009. After a break of eleven years, the band released a new album called Visionary , aiming to recapture the spirit of the early years. A double DVD The Legacy Box was released in December 2010 and contains
1116-544: Was announced that Eloy had to cancel due to medical issues. On May 29, 2012, it was revealed that U.K. would take their place as the Sunday night headliner. The May 2008 issue of SPIN Magazine listed NEARfest as one of the top 72 festivals in the United States. NEARfest was operated as a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization . The name "NEARfest" is a registered trademark held by co-founder Chad Hutchinson. NEARfest
NEARfest - Misplaced Pages Continue
1152-675: Was held in Trenton, New Jersey at the Patriots Theater in the Trenton War Memorial, which has a capacity of 1,850 seats. All NEARfests were complete sellouts, outside of the 2011 cancellation. In 2008, the festival celebrated its 10th anniversary with NEARfest X and marked the last event organized by Hutchinson and LaDuca until 2012. NEARfest and New Jersey ProgHouse veterans Jim Robinson, Ray Loboda and Kevin Feeley were their successors. On March 25, 2011, due to insufficient ticket sales,
1188-631: Was held in Baker Hall, at the Zoellner Arts Center which is located on the campus of Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania (2000–2001, 2004–2012). Baker Hall has a capacity of 1,002 seats in acoustically superior conditions. However, in its inaugural year, NEARfest was held in Foy Hall at Moravian College in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania which has a capacity of 428 seats. In 2002 and 2003, NEARfest
1224-746: Was in attendance at NEARfest 2004, 2005, 2007, 2009 and 2012. NEARfest Records was launched in 2003 to release select live performances from NEARfest. The one and only compilation DVD, "NEARfest 2005: Rising to the Surface," was released on April 10, 2007. Other releases include live CDs of Steve Hackett, Djam Karet, Nathan Mahl, Thinking Plague, Birdsongs of the Mesozoic, Glass Hammer, Steve Roach, Pure Reason Revolution (out of print) and Hidria Spacefolk (out of print). NEARfest Records officially ceased operations in January 2017. A number of artists have officially released their NEARfest performances on CD and/or DVD. Below
1260-584: Was injured in road accident in March. In 2017 and 2019 two new CDs based on the legend of Jeanne d'Arc were released. Although Eloy was a German rock band that debuted during the same time period as the introduction of krautrock , they are not a part of that music scene. Initially a hard rock band with blues rock influences, Eloy subsequently shifted into a different sound, which has been classified as progressive rock , symphonic rock and space rock . Pure Reason Revolution Pure Reason Revolution
1296-410: Was released in the UK on 10 April 2006, and was produced by Paul Northfield ( Rush , Porcupine Tree , Gentle Giant , Dream Theater ). A US version of the album containing the original, pre- Cautionary Tales mooted track listing and amended artwork was released in the U.S. on 25 July 2006. In summer 2006, with his wife, Susanne Courtney , being pregnant with their first child, Andrew Courtney left
#625374