To DVD or not to DVD??

[Jinx]

This is waaay too early I realise but seeing as this is THE album "which represents Dream Theater" (as well as being self titled), will we or will we not see a DVD filmed of one of the shows?

I've read a lot about DT bringing out too many filmings of concerts over the years but I disagree. I mean, first you can see the evolution of the band over the years - the hair on Live in Tokyo, the heaviness of TOT on LAB, JPs ever increasing biceps on Score...

Then of course the music. To an extent there are very few repeats of the catalogue on these releases, and especially if they bring back songs like The Glass Prison this time around, these NEED to be seen! As well as the new songs from DT13 of course.

While we wait for Live at Luna Park then, let me ask you what your thoughts are on the various releases and whether they ought to release one for this tour?

The floor is yours...

[goo-goo]

Hopefully the "Let's see what Rush does" comment that JP said brings more DT live DVDs.

[Meatrose]

I actually think that we will be seeing a Blu-ray for this upcoming tour. The last album-tour-cycle was pretty much like the first page of a new chapter for the band. They didn't really reinvent themselves but they took a step back to where their roots are, in my opinion I should add. What they showed us on stage was essentially the Dream Theater we already know and love but the budget must have been higher this time around. I'm far from an expert when it comes to the touring part of the music industry but that would be my amateur assessment at least.

This last album came with a Grammy nomination, which is kind of huge considering what genre they're operating within. I truly believe that Roadrunner has realized, after them being nominated for a Grammy but more importantly; after witnessing the almost insane level of dedication from Dream Theater fans across the globe, that investing in a high-end live Blu-ray for this upcoming tour in support of their first ever self-titled album is a good decision. Especially so since they are returning (at least for now) to the "An Evening With" format. We've got a bigger set list, we've got an album that they are so confident about that they make it a self-titled one which should mean that there's a good chance they'll be playing most of it live during the tour and we've got a track like The Count Of Tuscany that has not yet been released as a live performance on a visual medium.

I could of course be wrong about all this but I'm definitely optimistic.

[Elite]

Regarding your last sentence, I sincerely don't want them to bring The Count of Tuscany back to their live shows. I saw it on the BC&SL tour, I saw it on the first European Leg of the 2011 tour and in my opinion it's too long for a live concert (in addition to me not really liking the song). Especially since the second time I saw them they cut off Learning to Live from the setlist due to unfortunate time restrictions, in favour of the fucking count, which I saw before.

[bosk1]

I've read a lot about DT bringing out too many filmings of concerts over the years...

Not sure where you might have read that, because I can't remember ever having read any such thing. 

But as for whether we will get a live DVD from the upcoming album/tour cycle, it is hard to say.  Part of me says absolutely.  They will be doing evening with shows again for the first time since Score, and they will have two full albums that are completely unrepresented on any live release (Black Clouds and DT12). 

On the other hand, I wouldn't be shocked if the band said something along the lines of, "We just did our most ambitious video release ever last tour.  This time around, we just want to focus on delivering a great show night after night and that's it.  Maybe a live video next time."  And keep in mind that outside of Maiden, it would be hard to come up with a band that has provided nearly as much live coverage through such a long period of time as Dream Theater has.

So I guess that while I lean toward "yes," I would not be the least bit surprised if the answer ended up being "no."

[senecadawg2]

There is a lot you can do in 20 minutes, and several options preferable to the Cunt of Tuscany.

Even as a big fan of the song, I agree with Elite in that it's too long. In fact, ACOS is the only epic I would love to see in full despite taking significant time from the set.

[bosk1]

Regarding your last sentence, I sincerely don't want them to bring The Count of Tuscany back to their live shows. I saw it on the BC&SL tour, I saw it on the first European Leg of the 2011 tour and in my opinion it's too long for a live concert (in addition to me not really liking the song). Especially since the second time I saw them they cut off Learning to Live from the setlist due to unfortunate time restrictions, in favour of the fucking count, which I saw before.

Yes, but remember--they are doing evening with sets again, so it's not as difficult to work in a 19 minute song when they have that much time to play.  Plus, I could see them not doing it on most European dates since you guys got it last time around, and them making it more part of the main set over here in the U.S.

Personally, I really hope they feature a few BCSL songs, including TCOT.  And if they don't do that one, it would be a great time to bring Octavarium back. 

[wolven74]

Plus, don't forget they'll be on the European leg of the Along For the Ride tour before the blue ray for last years tour comes out. Might be difficult to get another production team to film again so soon.

[jonnybaxy]

Personally I think there should be a DVD every time and should have been originally so each step in DT career is shown.. I mean, who here wouldn't but every tour on DVD's (Bar WDADU)

[JayOctavarium]

I'd buy a WDADU live dvd

[fadetoblackdude7]

I agree with everything that Bosk said.

I'd like to throw out that even though they'll most definitely be playing the 20+ minute epic from DT12 (Illumination Theory I'm assuming), I would like to see A Change Of Seasons and/or Octavarium make a return on this tour.

Like I said in another thread, it would be cool to see an A set and B set with ACOS and 8vm being swapped out in the encore, even if it means a lot of rehearsing.

[senecadawg2]

I agree with everything that Bosk said.

I'd like to throw out that even though they'll most definitely be playing the 20+ minute epic from DT12 (Illumination Theory I'm assuming), I would like to see A Change Of Seasons and/or Octavarium make a return on this tour.

Like I said in another thread, it would be cool to see an A set and B set with ACOS and 8vm being swapped out in the encore, even if it means a lot of rehearsing.

Ah, I didn't think about that. What are the chances they'll play 2 epics in a single set? Even with the Evening With format, that's got to be pretty hard on the band.

[Fiery Winds]

Personally, I really hope they feature a few BCSL songs, including TCOT.  And if they don't do that one, it would be a great time to bring Octavarium ACOS back since it was cut from the San Francisco encore due to technical difficulties that delayed the start time.

[bosk1]

Personally, I really hope they feature a few BCSL songs, including TCOT.  And if they don't do that one, it would be a great time to bring Octavarium ACOS back since it was cut from the San Francisco encore due to technical difficulties that delayed the start time.

  True.  It's just that Octavarium has gotten much less play than A Change Of Seasons.  But I wouldn't mind either.

That being said, I also forgot about the 20-minute epic on the new album.  If they play that, which is likely, I can't see either ACOS or 8VM.  Maybe TCOT since it's a few minutes shorter.  But from Black Clouds, I'm happy if they throw ANTR in the set.

[fadetoblackdude7]

I agree with everything that Bosk said.

I'd like to throw out that even though they'll most definitely be playing the 20+ minute epic from DT12 (Illumination Theory I'm assuming), I would like to see A Change Of Seasons and/or Octavarium make a return on this tour.

Like I said in another thread, it would be cool to see an A set and B set with ACOS and 8vm being swapped out in the encore, even if it means a lot of rehearsing.

Ah, I didn't think about that. What are the chances they'll play 2 epics in a single set? Even with the Evening With format, that's got to be pretty hard on the band.

Not if they balance out the set well enough.

[hefdaddy42]

This is waaay too early I realise

Yes

[BlobVanDam]

Considering how delayed the Luna Park DVD has been, I can't see them recording and releasing one from this tour.
But my preference is the more the merrier, so I'd like them to do one, because they missed so many opportunities for songs to record for Luna Park.

[DarkLord_Lalinc]

Maybe not an official DVD, but I'd love a Ytse Jam release nonetheless. It would be extremely nice to see Ytse Jam bootlegs come back.

[Rhayader]

Why does this album "represents" Dream Theater? Just because of the self-titled album? Could you say the same about every band with a self-titled album?

[BlobVanDam]

Why does this album "represents" Dream Theater? Just because of the self-titled album? Could you say the same about every band with a self-titled album?

That's actually just a quote from the band, where they said they self titled it because they felt it represented everything about DT.

[theseoafs]

^Not that they haven't voiced that sentiment about other albums already.  If I'm not mistaken, it was on the Score documentary that they said Octavarium was the album that more or less "defined" the band -- that is, if someone asked "what's DT all about", you could just hand them a copy of Octavarium. 

[DarkLord_Lalinc]

Well, it was true back then. Like it or not, Octavarium is the DT album that probably showcases most of DT's musical faces.

[?]

I'd buy a WDADU live dvd

Me too

[Rob801]

Plus, don't forget they'll be on the European leg of the Along For the Ride tour before the blue ray for last years tour comes out. Might be difficult to get another production team to film again so soon.

I hope not... The new tour kicks off in january and the last thing I read about the blu ray pointed to a November release ("It will be abundantly clear why the extra time was needed come November."). Did I miss something since that press release?

[wolven74]

You're right. What I meant to say was that I don't know if they'd have another crew together (or the same crew) for a show on this tour so soon after the last one. Logistically it could be difficult. I hope for another blu ray, but with all the time and extras they've put into Live at Luna Park, it's conceivable they could wait a tour for another dvd/blu ray.

[Rob801]

Yeah, it does seem too close logistically (and maybe financially as well) unfortunately. I would love to see them put one out but I'm really lousy at predicting that sort of thing (will they/won't they). In any case they'd probably wait till another leg of the tour at the very least if it were to happen.

[Jinx]

Well I predict that there will be a 2nd European leg. There's time to prepare.

[serrano]

  Live at Luna Park not yet released and we are speculating about a new DVD and its contents, wow. But actually i think it's likely to happen. Unsure about what i would want in the new DVD, since it depends on the new material and how older songs would flow around it.

[The Curious Orange]

There should be a live album and DVD from every tour.  Or given their set rotation, every leg of every tour. Hell, I wouldn't complain if they did a Pearl Jam and released every show.

Oh, by the way -
Count of Tuscany Live in 2009 - Ponderously boring.
Count of Tuscany Live in 2011 - Kicked ass. 

[Another_Won]

To the question . . . absolutely!  I don't think that the Luna DVD is a reason not to do more.  It is a lesson learned.  I'm sure they'll be able to get the next DVD out without a hitch.

I still want to see some BC&SL songs but I'd be happy with them being some extras on Luna or a YtseJam release.  I too would prefer 2011 versions to 2009.

[Cyclopssss]

Well, you know me, I´m a greedy bastard....

[aprilethereal]

But from Black Clouds, I'm happy if they throw ANTR in the set.

Agreed, and I can really see them doing that.

I also forgot about the 20-minute epic on the new album.  If they play that, which is likely, I can't see either ACOS or 8VM.

I guess you're right. Unfortunately. I'd really like to see 8VM live

Like it or not, Octavarium is the DT album that probably showcases most of DT's musical faces.

I like it

[JPX]

Someone might have complied this already - but after Luna comes out - what would be the list of songs in their catalogue that haven't seen a VHS/DVD release?

[Frank]

Oh, by the way -
Count of Tuscany Live in 2009 - Ponderously boring.
Count of Tuscany Live in 2011 - Kicked ass. 

Why? And if they performed Count of Tuscany like 2011 on this upcoming tour, would you still be happy?

[DarkLord_Lalinc]

Someone might have complied this already - but after Luna comes out - what would be the list of songs in their catalogue that haven't seen a VHS/DVD release?

All of BC&SL