Some plebeians think that DT is on the decline (as far as live shows go)

[snapple]

Do people agree with them? Every video I see shows an energetic band (compared to before MM) and an energetic crowd. I think it's still full steam ahead in DT world.

[Kotowboy]

Portnoy fanboyZzzzzzzzz

[ResultsMayVary]

Portnoy fanboyZzzzzzzzz

[Nekov]

I'm seeing them in a couple of months so I'll reserve my judgement.

In general I think a band's energy on stage depends on the crowd to some extent. I saw DT in the last 3 tours they did with MP and I didn't see any lack of energy on their side nor from the crowd. They all seemed happy, they enjoyed being on stage and they responded really well to our cheers.

[PROGdrummer]

All the YouTube videos I've seen of the band's performance since Portnoy's departure have been FULL of energy. The band is lively, and the crowds are INSANE! Dream Theater aren't losing any steam. They're gaining speed.

[TheGreatPretender]

In terms of performance they're better than they had been in a while. Maybe those people are just butthurt that they don't play a different set every night.

[senecadawg2]

I'll decide when I see them live in Richmond in a few weeks.

[snapple]

In terms of performance they're better than they had been in a while. Maybe those people are just butthurt that they don't play a different set every night.

[theseoafs]

Portnoy fanboyZzzzzzzzz

Yep. I've not heard one negative review of the Dramatic Tour of Events that didn't also whine about Portnoy's departure.

[Jaq]

I had no problems with DT's performance when I saw them last year. I think the complaints are coming from MP fans and people who are butthurt over the end of the rotating setlists, because otherwise they're deaf and blind.

[chrisbDTM]

i thought they were more energetic the last US tour than they were when i saw ProgNation2

[BlobVanDam]

Well isn't this lovely? We've all decided that anyone who thinks DT's live shows were at all better with MP must be either raging MP fanboys, "plebeians", or butthurt because of setlists. And apparently you also have to be a raging MP fanboy to not like ADTOE.

*backs out of DT side*

[snapple]

Well isn't this lovely? We've all decided that anyone who thinks DT's live shows were at all better with MP must be either raging MP fanboys, "plebeians", or butthurt because of setlists. And apparently you also have to be a raging MP fanboy to not like ADTOE.

*backs out of DT side*

Might be taking the title of the thread too seriously. FWIW, many of Rome's emperors (30%) were Plebs.

[BlobVanDam]

Well isn't this lovely? We've all decided that anyone who thinks DT's live shows were at all better with MP must be either raging MP fanboys, "plebeians", or butthurt because of setlists. And apparently you also have to be a raging MP fanboy to not like ADTOE.

*backs out of DT side*

Might be taking the title of the thread too seriously. FWIW, many of Rome's emperors (30%) were Plebs.

Oh I know it was a bit of a joke title, but it's still not a welcoming environment for a well rounded discussion when you start off a thread like that.

[Nekov]

Well isn't this lovely? We've all decided that anyone who thinks DT's live shows were at all better with MP must be either raging MP fanboys, "plebeians", or butthurt because of setlists. And apparently you also have to be a raging MP fanboy to not like ADTOE.

*backs out of DT side*

Might be taking the title of the thread too seriously. FWIW, many of Rome's emperors (30%) were Plebs.

They also happened not to like ADTOE which proves Blobs point 

[BlobVanDam]

Well isn't this lovely? We've all decided that anyone who thinks DT's live shows were at all better with MP must be either raging MP fanboys, "plebeians", or butthurt because of setlists. And apparently you also have to be a raging MP fanboy to not like ADTOE.

*backs out of DT side*

Might be taking the title of the thread too seriously. FWIW, many of Rome's emperors (30%) were Plebs.

They also happened not to like ADTOE which proves Blobs point 

To be fair though, the ancient Romans never could quite nail the tickle section on a harp and a flute, so it never sounded very good live.

[Sir GuitarCozmo]

Well isn't this lovely? We've all decided that anyone who thinks DT's live shows were at all better with MP must be either raging MP fanboys, "plebeians", or butthurt because of setlists. And apparently you also have to be a raging MP fanboy to not like ADTOE.

*backs out of DT side*

You saw what happened when that dipshit took the guitar to the priests.  Take that as a lesson.  Conform, citizen.

[DreamTheaterMoreThanMusic]

well i cant comment aboout a live DT show with Portnoy but i went to one of there shows in albany promotiong dtoe and i must say..

WOOOWWW. just an amazing  show all around.

[nikatapi]

I have seen DT live only twice, in 2007 and 2011. I can say with absolute confidence that the 2011 show was way more energetic, people were really into it and both Petrucci and LaBrie were connecting with the crowd so much better than in 2007.

If having the drummer stand up and play a 4/4 rhythm is what made the DT shows better, then yes they lack now. But i can say that i enjoyed DT so much more seeing them in 2011. It was an amazing show.

[KevShmev]

I am curious as to whose these plebeians are that snapple is referring to.  If they are from Portnoy's forum, then the first replies in this thread have some merit.  I think just like some people went in not wanting to like ADTOE, they go in also not wanting to enjoy the live shows as much.  Not sure why someone would want to force less enjoyment on themselves, but fanboy loyalty can be a funny thing.

[Sigz]

I'll know next monday when I see them.

Also, I adore the word plebeian.

[John94]

I have seen DT live only twice, in 2007 and 2011. I can say with absolute confidence that the 2011 show was way more energetic, people were really into it and both Petrucci and LaBrie were connecting with the crowd so much better than in 2007.

If having the drummer stand up and play a 4/4 rhythm is what made the DT shows better, then yes they lack now. But i can say that i enjoyed DT so much more seeing them in 2011. It was an amazing show.

100% agreed. In 2009, I enjoyed it but the 2012 show was just so much better. The band were much more tighter and even with an illness, James was better in the 2012 show.

[El Barto]

Well isn't this lovely? We've all decided that anyone who thinks DT's live shows were at all better with MP must be either raging MP fanboys, "plebeians", or butthurt because of setlists. And apparently you also have to be a raging MP fanboy to not like ADTOE.

*backs out of DT side*

Hear, hear. 

I'm neither a MP fanboy nor a pleb, and I think their live shows have taken a significant hit.  I'd be happy to explain why, but I've already done that, plus in a scant 21 posts this thread has already convinced me that I'd never get past people's preconceived notions of DT's divinity. 

Quite frankly, the rampant fanboyism seems to be coming from the "Dream theater can do no wrong!" side.  Man, they're just five musicians, for fuck's sake.

[Jaffa]

It's because of threads like this that 'butthurt' has become quite possibly my least favorite word in the English language. 

[Scorpion]

Well isn't this lovely? We've all decided that anyone who thinks DT's live shows were at all better with MP must be either raging MP fanboys, "plebeians", or butthurt because of setlists. And apparently you also have to be a raging MP fanboy to not like ADTOE.

*backs out of DT side*

Hear, hear. 

I'm neither a MP fanboy nor a pleb, and I think their live shows have taken a significant hit.  I'd be happy to explain why, but I've already done that, plus in a scant 21 posts this thread has already convinced me that I'd never get past people's preconceived notions of DT's divinity. 

Quite frankly, the rampant fanboyism seems to be coming from the "Dream theater can do no wrong!" side.  Man, they're just five musicians, for fuck's sake.

Barto, I'd be interested in your thoughts on that, actually. You said you already explained them - could you point out where you did that?

[Adami]

I've seen DT like 7 times live. However I have virtually no desire to see them live with MM. I love MM and honestly don't care much for MP. However based off youtube clips (and lots of them) it seems their live shows have become essentially playing the songs identical to the CD with some groovy lights/vids. Honestly, I don't really care to see live bands that strive to sound identical to their CDs.

[Implode]

You know, I never thought I'd be saying this, but I see where you're coming from.

When I just saw them, I feel like I was very removed from the performance. Kind of like I was watching a movie. Maybe that's because I wasn't close enough to really interact with the band; I don't know.

[rumborak]

I've seen DT like 7 times live. However I have virtually no desire to see them live with MM. I love MM and honestly don't care much for MP. However based off youtube clips (and lots of them) it seems their live shows have become essentially playing the songs identical to the CD with some groovy lights/vids. Honestly, I don't really care to see live bands that strive to sound identical to their CDs.

Well, to be honest, that has always been their thing though. I remember in the beginning being super-excited about seeing the songs being executed to perfection, but it has (sadly) little replay value. DT shows have very little unique character (as I think the excitement about JMX kicking a beach ball shows).
I still haven't bought my DT ticket for the 16th because I'm kinda "eh". I will probably cave in and go nonetheless.

rumborak

[Adami]

I've seen DT like 7 times live. However I have virtually no desire to see them live with MM. I love MM and honestly don't care much for MP. However based off youtube clips (and lots of them) it seems their live shows have become essentially playing the songs identical to the CD with some groovy lights/vids. Honestly, I don't really care to see live bands that strive to sound identical to their CDs.

Well, to be honest, that has always been their thing though. I remember in the beginning being super-excited about seeing the songs being executed to perfection, but it has (sadly) little replay value. DT shows have very little unique character (as I think the excitement about JMX kicking a beach ball shows).
I still haven't bought my DT ticket for the 16th because I'm kinda "eh". I will probably cave in and go nonetheless.

rumborak

Well when you're a technical band, you obviously have to play your songs and nailing the technical parts is one of those things. However the band used to change things up, like the warp speed section of Pull Me Under, or the weird medleys they did (not just the instrumedley, but even things like Caught in a New Millennium). Or adding in jam sections from time to time. Obviously I don't expect their live shows to have nothing in common with their recordings, but if their live show is essentially a mix tape played back to you, then it's just not all that fun.

By the way this doesn't just apply to DT. I'm not singling them out. I stopped seeing lots of bands live for the very reason that bands these days seem to want to play it safe and play as identical to the CD as possible, ans for me that's boring.

[JayOctavarium]

Honestly... out of all the tracks I have seen live, the only ones that have left much desire to see again have been ANTR, TCOT, PMU (still doesnt get old), Fatal Tragety and MAYBE Breaking All Illusions and Outcry

[El Barto]

I still haven't bought my DT ticket for the 16th because I'm kinda "eh". I will probably cave in and go nonetheless.

rumborak

They're still worth seeing, and even if it is the same old, same old, Krimson Project will still be a blast.  Hell, I'm probably more excited about them than DT, this time around.

Barto, I'd be interested in your thoughts on that, actually. You said you already explained them - could you point out where you did that?

This thread went on for about 7 pages, and I defended my position off and on throughout.  Mostly I just think they're putting on an identical show every single night, and like others have said, it has no real replay value. 

[Scorpion]

OK, thanks! I'll get back to it when I've read the thread thoroughly, though that'll have to wait 'til tomorrow.

[snapple]

Some of the critiques have been about attendance. Is that true? People are slating DT to fail.

[El Barto]

Some of the critiques have been about attendance. Is that true? People are slating DT to fail.

It certainly wouldn't surprise me if attendance was down this time through.  For one thing it hasn't been that long since the first leg.  They're lucky to sell 2k when they play Dallas every 3 years.  A second show in less than a year, and with a very similar setlist, isn't going to be a huge draw.  Then you've got the fans like me who just don't find them all that interesting anymore.  That's a few less seats for two more shows from a core segment of their fanbase. 

[Nekov]

If the setlist is not rotating anymore then attendance will go down. I don't think there are many people who will pay to see the same show twice.