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- What is your name?
Gary Porteous - Which country are you from?
New Zealand - What do you do in your daily life?
I am a teacher at Aranui High School in Christchurch. I mainly teach hospitality/cooking. I have been doing this for 13 years now. Prior to that I was a chef in the New Zealand Army for 20 years. - When did you visit PP Europe for the first time?
2010 - What was the main reason to visit PP Europe for the first time?
I just love progressive metal music. I have always been very envious of the bands that have played in previous editions of the festival and always promised myself that I would one day attend. My 2 children had both finished school and are now working so the expense of travelling to Europe was a little more affordable. Also it was a slightly early 50th birthday present for me. Additionally, it was a great way to send some time with my very good German friend Christoph. He and I are on the same level in regards to music, so after he visited me in New Zealand in 2005, it was time for me to return the favour. I spent some time with him at his place in Germany and then we both travelled to Baarlo. - How many times have you visited PP Europe so far?
Twice....2010 and then again in 2012. After my first visit, I just had to return. I made that decision when they announced that Vanden Plas were to be one of the headliners. You have to understand that New Zealand is a desert in regards to bands that play progressive metal. Also very few interesting international bands (of any genre) play live here in Christchurch, so to see 15 or so progressive/power bands in 3 days is amazing. - What was your first impression of PP Europe at your first visit?
I was amazed that the venue was quite small! I had an impression that it was going to be quite a big place, where you would struggle to get a proper view of the bands. How wrong I was! Last year, every band that I wanted to see, I was right up at the front of the stage. Just excellent. 
- What is your overall impression of PP Europe?
PP Europe is a festival that is run by fans for fans! It is very well organised and everything that happens is for the benefit of the music and the people attending. Every person that I met both times I was there, were generous with their time in talking to me and making me feel very welcome. - Why should people visit PP Europe?
If you like progressive/power metal with a sprinkling of other genres thrown in, enjoy having an amazing time with like-minded people from around the world, like having to pay a reasonable amount of money to attend and stay at the castle (if you wish), be able to get up and close with bands that you love listening to, then it is a "no-brainer' that you should attend PPE at least once. - Tell us in 1 sentence what PP Europe means to you?
It is the preeminent progressive/power festival in the world so to have had the experience of attending twice now, I can cross off number 1 and 2 on my bucket list...and hope to cross of 3-15 in the next years!! - The last words are yours....
After an amazing performance from A Liquid Landscape last year, I met the band outside. We got to chatting and Coen (the drummer), told me that he was visiting New Zealand with his girlfriend for 6 weeks in December/January. So I invited him and his girlfriend to sample my cooking and for them to stay at my house. So they did and I had a fantastic time hosting them. So...you reading this......if you are ever over this side of the world.........look me up. 
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