Speculations: Length of setlists for the next tour w/new drummer

[Jamesman42]

Do you guys think they'll go back to Evening With sets? Or keep the same pattern as before?

Apologies if this has been discussed. Actually, I'm not sorry for anything I do, so deal with it.

[Ħ]

Maybe a 2-hour set, with one opening band.  I don't think they'll do a full-fledged Evening With.

[As I Am]

Maybe a 2-hour set, with one opening band.  I don't think they'll do a full-fledged Evening With.

agreed, I don't think they're going to throw a new drummer into their "Evening with" world. Too much material to digest.

[King Postwhore]

Maybe a 2-hour set, with one opening band.  I don't think they'll do a full-fledged Evening With.

agreed, I don't think they're going to throw a new drummer into their "Evening with" world. Too much material to digest.

I don't agree with the too much to digest part.  I'd love them to go back to an Evening With but if they had a great opening act like POS, I'd be happy also.

[Perpetual Change]

I don't see why they wouldn't do an Evening With simply because they have a new drummer. Any of the drummers they'd consider should easily be able to learn 3-4 hours of music in a couple months. I don't see how that would eve be an issue.

[Ħ]

I don't see why they wouldn't do an Evening With simply because they have a new drummer. Any of the drummers they'd consider should easily be able to learn 3-4 hours of music in a couple months. I don't see how that would eve be an issue.

That assumes a non-rotating setlist.

[King Postwhore]

I don't see why they wouldn't do an Evening With simply because they have a new drummer. Any of the drummers they'd consider should easily be able to learn 3-4 hours of music in a couple months. I don't see how that would eve be an issue.

That assumes a non-rotating setlist.

I think the new drummer will adapt.  It's not like the new drummer will be Phil Rudd.

[Mladen]

Maybe a 2-hour set, with one opening band.  I don't think they'll do a full-fledged Evening With.

Yep.

[Zydar]

I don't see why they wouldn't do an Evening With simply because they have a new drummer. Any of the drummers they'd consider should easily be able to learn 3-4 hours of music in a couple months. I don't see how that would eve be an issue.

That assumes a non-rotating setlist.

I think the new drummer will adapt.  It's not like the new drummer will be Phil Rudd.

You mean he DIDN'T audition?

[King Postwhore]

Sadly....no.

Either way it's all good. I am realy looking foward to seeing them live and how it shakes out.

[Jamesman42]

Seven world class drummers, I think any of them would and should be able to learn ALL of their material. At least what is called for for the tour (rotating sets and all). After all, if they're auditioning, they are interested in joining the band, and should assume to learn the band's entire discography as well as writing new material with them.

[hefdaddy42]

Why would you expect them to learn the entire discography for one tour? 

JR didn't have to learn the whole discography when he joined, and the discography was only half as big then.

[lithium112]

When they stopped doing the Evening With shows, wasn't it because it was too tiring basically? But was it only for Portnoy or for the rest of the guys in general? I mean, they're all in great shape but they're also not getting any younger so if fatigue was a factor before then it would still be one now.

[The Curious Orange]

I sort of assumed the MP was the driving force behind the "Evening With" format, so I'll say no.

[Perpetual Change]

I don't see why they wouldn't do an Evening With simply because they have a new drummer. Any of the drummers they'd consider should easily be able to learn 3-4 hours of music in a couple months. I don't see how that would eve be an issue.

That assumes a non-rotating setlist.

No, that assumes a rotating setlists.

Evening with: 3 hours or so.
Plus rotating songs: another hour or so of material.

So, 3-4 hours. Maybe 5. But, really, the caliber of drummer the guys are auditioning should be able to memorize 3-5 hours of music without a problem. These guys are PROFESSIONALS.

[Jamesman42]

Why would you expect them to learn the entire discography for one tour? 

JR didn't have to learn the whole discography when he joined, and the discography was only half as big then.

At least what is called for for the tour (rotating sets and all).

And I'll amend what I said here:

After all, if they're auditioning, they are interested in joining the band, and should assume to learn the band's entire discography as well as writing new material with them at some point.

[Global Laziness]

Given that they likely won't start touring until late spring or early summer, I don't think it's entirely unreasonable to think that the new drummer could learn an Evening With's worth of material. And I'm pretty sure I remember hearing one or two member of Dream Theater saying (before Portnoy left) that they were looking at the idea of going back to the Evening With format.

[IdoSC]

So, 3-4 hours. Maybe 5. But, really, the caliber of drummer the guys are auditioning should be able to memorize 3-5 hours of music without a problem. These guys are PROFESSIONALS.

+1. The new drummer is absolutely not the reason there will or won't be evening with shows in the next tour imo. If anything, I don't see the remaining members of DT willing to do it. I think they'll prefer playing 2:15 hours shows of progressive, non-rotating sets including some rather long songs. I'm crossing fingers for Take the Time's and Voices' bridges being brought back now that Mike is gone, to be honest, rather than evening with sets.

[rumborak]

<puts flame shield on>

You know, I actually wouldn't mind shorter gigs. DT gigs have a tendency to be too long.

rumborak

[Adami]

<puts flame shield on>

You know, I actually wouldn't mind shorter gigs. DT gigs have a tendency to be too long.

rumborak

I don't care how long the sets are (to an extent), but if they're not 3 hours long, then they really have no need to add things like 10 minute keyboard solos, or 15 minute extended jams in half of the songs. And jesus christ, no more 5 hour intro jam to TSCO. God I hate that almost as much as I hate white people.

[Jamesman42]

And jesus christ, no more 5 hour intro jam to TSCO. God I hate that almost as much as I hate white people.

[Perpetual Change]

<puts flame shield on>

You know, I actually wouldn't mind shorter gigs. DT gigs have a tendency to be too long.

rumborak

They've been short for the past 4 years?

[ReaPsTA]

There will be some kind of rotating setlists.  One of the band members said in an interview they know this is the standard they're expected to live up to.  Like someone else in this thread said, a world class drummer should be expected to know a few hours of the band's material.

The more interesting question is whether or not there will be Evening With Sets.

[Jamesman42]

The more interesting question is whether or not there will be Evening With Sets.

That was more of my point in the OP. What do you think, Reap?

[CrimsonE]

Unfortunately, I will probably not get the chance to see one, but I'm skeptical that they'll bring the 3 hour "Evening with" shows back again.  However, I would like to see them do a proper US tour, and not another PN in which they only do about 90 minutes.  I've seen them three times, and have yet to see them do a complete headlining gig.  Incidently, the three times are:  Gigantour (90 minutes with Megadeth), PN 07  (90 Minutes, with Opeth) as coheadliners, and opening for Maiden (50 minutes).  Let's hope they do a full-on headlining tour, even if it's not "An Evening With". 

[IdoSC]

Unfortunately, I will probably not get the chance to see one, but I'm skeptical that they'll bring the 3 hour "Evening with" shows back again.  However, I would like to see them do a proper US tour, and not another PN in which they only do about 90 minutes.  I've seen them three times, and have yet to see them do a complete headlining gig.  Incidently, the three times are:  Gigantour (90 minutes with Megadeth), PN 07  (90 Minutes, with Opeth) as coheadliners, and opening for Maiden (50 minutes).  Let's hope they do a full-on headlining tour, even if it's not "An Evening With". 

I think we'd all like DT to go out for a tour without ANY kind of too long festivals, such as progressive nation, and honestly, I can't see progressive nation happening once again without Mike. So that's all good.

[Global Laziness]

Unfortunately, I will probably not get the chance to see one, but I'm skeptical that they'll bring the 3 hour "Evening with" shows back again.  However, I would like to see them do a proper US tour, and not another PN in which they only do about 90 minutes.  I've seen them three times, and have yet to see them do a complete headlining gig.  Incidently, the three times are:  Gigantour (90 minutes with Megadeth), PN 07  (90 Minutes, with Opeth) as coheadliners, and opening for Maiden (50 minutes).  Let's hope they do a full-on headlining tour, even if it's not "An Evening With". 

I think we'd all like DT to go out for a tour without ANY kind of too long festivals, such as progressive nation, and honestly, I can't see progressive nation happening once again without Mike. So that's all good.

Even with Mike, I got the impression that they were done with Prog Nation, at least for now.

[ReaPsTA]

The more interesting question is whether or not there will be Evening With Sets.

That was more of my point in the OP. What do you think, Reap?

I have no idea.  I don't know what DT's motivation on this tour is.  Do they want to keep all the money and reestablish their dominance in a big way?  In that case they might go Evening With.  Do they want to do a tour that's just simple?  a 2hour 15minute set with an opening band might be the best way.

I kinda feel like the Evening With is the best career move, but I'm biased.  To me, it just seems like something the band is known for among their fans, and something the fans really want.  By bringing it back now, you're telling the fans you're still willing to deliver at full throttle.

[2Timer]

<puts flame shield on>

You know, I actually wouldn't mind shorter gigs. DT gigs have a tendency to be too long.

rumborak

That's what I thought after a few Evenings With. When they went to having openers I thought it sort of refreshing in a way because I guess it did seem like DT overload after 3+ hours, but I think I'm ready for some more of that.
I don't really think they'll do that for the next tour, and I don't think it's much to do with making the new guy learn all of their stuff (and he may already know 90% of it); I think they'll want to take him out on shorter gigs at first and see how he holds up. I'm sure he'll know most of their stuff, and I'm sure he's played a three hour gig or two in his day, but has he played three hour shows doing this kind of material? That's what the guys need to look at.

[Birch Boy]

I don't think there'll be a change in whatever their planned set list length was gonna be with Mike. As everyone else said, this world-class drummer should have the skills to play/memorize any material needed.

[Fiery Winds]

I don't think the drummer's ability to memorize the songs will be a deciding factor in whether or not they do an Evening With format.  Considering it would be a tour in support of the album, you've gotta factor in that roughly a third of the set will be fresh material the drummer was involved in writing.  So the new material and the extra hour of rotating songs essentially cancel each other out, so only about 3 hours of material to learn.

[John94]

With Mikes time off of doing nothing (unless he joins "the boys") he could go out and promote a Prog Nation tour himself. Maybe do some songs with the bands who are on the bill.

[rumborak]

Considering how JR had already bitched about the brutal concert lengths at some point, I wouldn't be surprised if they use MP's leave to cut down on the lengths. And just have an opening band, just like every other fricking band in this world. They used to have those anyway. I remember seeing them with Spock's Beard, with a band called "Tiles", and other bands.

rumborak

[Mladen]

Now that you mentioned Spock's beard, it would be the best thing ever if Dream Theater made Spock's beard their opening act on their next tour.

[2Timer]

I'd rather see them take Moon Safari out on the road, but with DT's crowd getting heavier I don't know how they'd go over. Plus, DT would have to try to follow them.