Finally!! I’ve been following Dream Theater since last December on their current 25th anniversary tour of the landmark album ‘Images and Words’. And honestly I was beginning to think they weren’t going to be making any stops in the United States. I don’t blame them for spending so much time in Europe though. It’s their biggest market next to South America. The crowds were just insane on this tour, looking to be from 6 to 10,000 in some places. Well, they certainly don’t have that kind of a following in the U.S.. So I can’t exactly say I wouldn’t do the same given similar circumstances.
Either way they’ve finally come around to hitting the U.S.. And I gotta say folks, you’re going to want to catch them on this tour if the set list and stage design is any indicator. The photos and videos I’ve looked up are amazing. Dream Theater have always had great lights and stage design for their shows (Dramatic Tour of Events anyone?!). But this time around they’ve really stepped up the light show. To near Dave Matthews Band status (if you haven’t seen a Dave Matthews stage design look one up!). And of course, the band sounds amazing. With the exception of a few minor vocal flubs from front man James Jabrie. The updated instruments that they’re using brings a new dynamic to ‘Images and Words’ as they play the album in it’s entirety. Mike Mangini found his drum tone on the self titled album and is still using it on this tour. Giving the songs a pinch more thickness. Not that ‘Images and Words’ is poorly produced or anything. In fact, I’d say it’s a landmark record in terms of production. And it’s to be celebrated, which is why DT is going out on the road. Also the band needs to recover from ‘The Astonishing’ tour and reclaim many fans who thought about jumping ship.
Of course, the band isn’t just playing ‘Images and Words’ and walking off stage. They’ve got many more songs in the set list spanning the bands incredible career. Including the amazing instrumental ‘Hell’s Kitchen’ from 1997s ‘Falling into Infinity’. Hence the tour name ‘Images. Words & Beyond’. Set lists will be posted below along with upcoming tour dates. If you haven’t had a chance to see Dream Theater or even are just being introduced to them, this is the tour to see!
Upcoming U.S. tour dates.
10/25 Oakland, CA Fox Theater
10/26 Los Angeles, CA The Wiltern
10/28 Phoenix, AZ Celebrity Theatre
10/29 ABQ, NM Kiva Auditorium
10/31 Denver, CO Paramount Theater
11/2 Wichita, KS Orpheum Theatre
11/3 Chicago, IL Chicago Theater
11/4 Peoria, IL Peoria Civic Center
11/6 Cincinnati, OH Taft Theater
11/8 Pittsburgh, PA Palace Theatre
11/9 Detroit, MI The Fillmore
11/10 Buffalo, NY Rapids Theatre
11/12 Toronto, ONT Sony Centre
11/14 Albany, NY The Palace Theater
11/15 Boston, MA Orpheum Theatre
11/16 New York, NY Beacon Theater
11/18 Asbury, Park, NJ Paramount Theater
11/19 Philadelphia, PA Merriam Theatre
11/27 Baltimore, MD The Lyric
11/28 Raleigh, NC Memorial Auditorium
11/29 Nashville, TN War Memorial Aud.
12/1 Austin, TX Bass Hall
12/2 Dallas, TX The Pavilion
12/3 Houston, TX Cullen PAC
Some teasers from the European legs.
‘Take the Time’ to see this remarkable band.
Catch DT on the European tour!? Would love to hear about the experience.
