The setlist so far... (DT-Side Tour Thread)

[CodyWanKenobi]

For a band like Dream Theater, that's not really about "stage presence" anyway, I think that makes a lot of sense.

I think Helicopter James would like to have a word with you.

[?]

For a band like Dream Theater, that's not really about "stage presence" anyway, I think that makes a lot of sense.

Yeah, but wouldn't it be awesome if James started doing the court jester dance and aerobics on stage again?

[Shadow Ninja 2.0]

I'd prefer him not to hurt himself.

[wolven74]

I think the set list is pretty well rounded, but also odd. What is the point of writing your own intro music if you're not playing it? Why use an intro tape? I haven't seen the show, so how does that work? Are they not playing FAS or the easter egg?

[BlobVanDam]

I think the set list is pretty well rounded, but also odd. What is the point of writing your own intro music if you're not playing it? Why use an intro tape? I haven't seen the show, so how does that work? Are they not playing FAS or the easter egg?

It was written to fit as intro music for the show, not ever intended to be something they played as far as I know.
It takes the role of music they've used for the intro (and video) in the past that for copyright reasons haven't been able to include on their DVD releases. It's there to build up for the audience before the curtain drops and the band starts playing, like an overture of sorts. If the band were to play it live, they'd still need a song before it for that role, which would kind of defeat the purpose.
I haven't seen clips of it, but from what I've read, it sounds like the easter egg is used like "credits" music, to give the show a more theatrical closing, which I think is a nice idea.

[erwinrafael]

I think the set list is pretty well rounded, but also odd. What is the point of writing your own intro music if you're not playing it? Why use an intro tape? I haven't seen the show, so how does that work? Are they not playing FAS or the easter egg?

I don't think that intro music is meant to be played live. it is meant as an entrance music, like the music played when a boxer enters the ring.

[OctavariumElite]

He nailed IT yesterday !

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3jJ2jRmFWE

Max

[The Stray Seed]

It says video was removed by JLB haters.

[wolfking]

He nailed IT yesterday !

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3jJ2jRmFWE

Max

Video removed.

[wasteland]

Again, I'm not getting this pissed-off face thing about James. He was smiling all the time in Florence, and TSSeed can confirm this. 

[wolfking]

I think people need to give the guy a bit of a break.

[erwinrafael]

He nailed IT yesterday !

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3jJ2jRmFWE

Max

Video removed.

Good thing I was able to watch it before it was removed.

[Zydar]

Probably removed due to copyright with the video visuals.

[cramx3]

Will FAS join the very small list of songs DT has never played live if in fact it was never meant to be played live?

[OctavariumElite]

Here it is, enjoy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9oK6MQPBdw

Max

[Perpetual Change]

Here it is, enjoy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9oK6MQPBdw

Max

Thanks dude. It's definitely good to hear JLB get it done like that.

He sounds like he's working his tail off to do it, too, though.

[mikeyd23]

Here it is, enjoy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9oK6MQPBdw

Max

Yeah thanks man, that was a real solid performance from James!

[mikeyd23]

I think not having a rotating setlist makes sense in this age where concerts have become a full multi-media experience with snchronicity in the lights, backing tracks and videos. It would be hell for any production to have rotating setlists in a tour especially with a multimedia setup as elaborate as DT.

I agree completely. The rotating setlist thing (as awesome and as was hard for the band to pull off) was far more likely back when DT's stage setup wasn't 50% of what it is today. I like Rudess' interpretation of things, saying that they feel that this show is like a theater play. People know what they're gonna get, but they're gonna get an incredibly rehearsed and solid version of what they know is coming to them. Their times, video cues, lightning cues, etc. are far more precise now that they're playing to a click track and a constant set, and these elements make this show the most professional they've put out so far.

Great post, totally agree with everything you said!

[cyberdrummer]

Will FAS join the very small list of songs DT has never played live if in fact it was never meant to be played live?

Until the Boston show perhaps?

[Elite]

Scarred is a bit of an oddball choice to me since (1) it has been played fairly recently, (2) JP has said he doesn't think it gets a good crowd response, and (3) it is long and takes up a lot of set time.  Either somebody in the band really likes it, or they felt the flow of having it in there really worked.

James LaBrie once stated in an interview that Scarred is one of his favourite songs to play live, so that could indeed be the case.

[Laughingplace56]

Will FAS join the very small list of songs DT has never played live if in fact it was never meant to be played live?

Until the Boston show perhaps?

I have no doubt  they 'll open the second set with the orchestra playing that song. It'd be such a waste for them not too. But with the full band? I hope so.

[Setlist Scotty]

I think not having a rotating setlist makes sense in this age where concerts have become a full multi-media experience with snchronicity in the lights, backing tracks and videos. It would be hell for any production to have rotating setlists in a tour especially with a multimedia setup as elaborate as DT.

I agree completely. The rotating setlist thing (as awesome and as was hard for the band to pull off) was far more likely back when DT's stage setup wasn't 50% of what it is today. I like Rudess' interpretation of things, saying that they feel that this show is like a theater play. People know what they're gonna get, but they're gonna get an incredibly rehearsed and solid version of what they know is coming to them. Their times, video cues, lightning cues, etc. are far more precise now that they're playing to a click track and a constant set, and these elements make this show the most professional they've put out so far.

I beg to differ regarding the stage set up (lighting and video) being a problem with rotating setlists. With everything being computerized these days (aside from the individual spotlight cues), it wouldn't take any more effort for those responsible to put the correct songs/settings in order than it did for JR to do so with his keyboard rig. Regarding being well-rehearsed, that is true, but it can also cause the band to fall into a routine leading to performances on autopilot, whereas rotating setlists keep them on their toes.

While I loved the rotating setlists, I can understand why the band may opt not to do them so much. However, I do think that at least having an "A" and "B" setlist to switch out from night to night is still a fair compromise. I don't have a problem with the current setlist at all, but I think it would be nice for them to perform the Awake block of songs one night, and the SFaM the other night, besides rotating a couple of the new songs and one other older one.

[The Stray Seed]

Again, I'm not getting this pissed-off face thing about James. He was smiling all the time in Florence, and TSSeed can confirm this. 

And I do!!! He was definitely happy and self confident =) Also, he was wearing a supercool black coat he borrowed from Neo!!!

[serrano]

Great performance! He seems to be able to nail it now.

[cramx3]

Scarred is a bit of an oddball choice to me since (1) it has been played fairly recently, (2) JP has said he doesn't think it gets a good crowd response, and (3) it is long and takes up a lot of set time.  Either somebody in the band really likes it, or they felt the flow of having it in there really worked.

James LaBrie once stated in an interview that Scarred is one of his favourite songs to play live, so that could indeed be the case.

And well it is set up that they are doing the second half of Awake in order so skipping Scarred would seem odd.

[wolfking]

Here it is, enjoy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9oK6MQPBdw

Max

Yeah thanks man, that was a real solid performance from James!

Yeah, this is pretty good.  JP still has a few parts to iron out though.

[TAC]

I think people need to give the guy a bit of a break.

This.

[Perpetual Change]

I'm all for giving him a break, but for me, I think it's more like, give him a break in the writing department. He obviously struggles with those really high parts, like in Illumination Theory. Even when he nails it, he looks like he's working so hard for it, I wonder if it's healthy for him to be singing that way? I am just a bit worried that he might blow out his voice again. And, at the risk of being a little overly critical, right from the very beginning DT vocal melodies relied way too much on those soaring moments to make an impact. Around Scenes and Six Degrees they got away from that, but it seems like lately they're veering back.

James doesn't need to hit an F#5 or G5 to make the melody impactful, in my opinion. If the lyrics and melody need to go the powerhouse route to work, and it's going to be a constant struggle for James to sing it right, then maybe it's the wrong melody for James? I think fans would be willing to accept that soaring vocals are just not part of the DT sound anymore, and would be cool with it. The fact James sings a different, more limited but just as impactful way on his solo records is pretty telling, too. I'd love to see JP go more in that direction with James, if he's gonna continue as the primary songwriter.

[Sycsa]

For me, hearing the "Mothers for their children" section on DT12 was an incredible experience and an extremely pleasant surprise. I did not expect to hear anything like that after ADTOE, which I perceived to be too safe and uninteresting at places, from a JLB viewpoint (otherwise it's a prime album). I understand and expect that they would tone things down, but damn, those powerhouse moments send shivers down my spine. I'm confident that his technique is refined enough at this point that he isn't putting his voice in harm's way.

[Tis BOOLsheet]

I'm all for giving him a break, but for me, I think it's more like, give him a break in the writing department. He obviously struggles with those really high parts, like in Illumination Theory. Even when he nails it, he looks like he's working so hard for it, I wonder if it's healthy for him to be singing that way? I am just a bit worried that he might blow out his voice again. And, at the risk of being a little overly critical, right from the very beginning DT vocal melodies relied way too much on those soaring moments to make an impact. Around Scenes and Six Degrees they got away from that, but it seems like lately they're veering back.

James doesn't need to hit an F#5 or G5 to make the melody impactful, in my opinion. If the lyrics and melody need to go the powerhouse route to work, and it's going to be a constant struggle for James to sing it right, then maybe it's the wrong melody for James? I think fans would be willing to accept that soaring vocals are just not part of the DT sound anymore, and would be cool with it. The fact James sings a different, more limited but just as impactful way on his solo records is pretty telling, too. I'd love to see JP go more in that direction with James, if he's gonna continue as the primary songwriter.

I can't say I agree that if the band has a vision for a melody over their song that they should scrap it in order to give a guy a "break." I don't believe the vocal lines they prescribe are unreasonable. At all.

That is not what artists do. They don't change their vision because they think "well, this guy's having some problems doing this; maybe we should give him a break."  If someone writes a song and brings in somebody to play or sing what he's written and it isn't working out, does he say "well, maybe I should change it because this isn't the part for him"?

They aren't asking him to paint the Sistine Chapel perfectly every night. They're asking him to sing simple melodies that they believe are within his capabilities. They obviously ARE within his capabilities, otherwise they wouldn't be on the album. Plus, I think that last link was pretty decent except the outro. That last part of IT is a fantastic and powerful moment. That is what DT envisioned when they wrote it. I think JLB totally delivered it on the album. It's probably one of his best moments EVER in my opinion. DT should not have settled for less.

[Shadow Ninja 2.0]

So, if, hypothetically speaking, their "vision" was for JLB to sing melodies extremely far from his comfortable range, that would probably adversely affect his voice in the process, he should just man up and deal with it?

Also, a lot of the stuff he sings can't really be characterized as "simple".

[Tis BOOLsheet]

So, if, hypothetically speaking, their "vision" was for JLB to sing melodies extremely far from his comfortable range, that would probably adversely affect his voice in the process, he should just man up and deal with it?

Also, a lot of the stuff he sings can't really be characterized as "simple".

What is the point of that hypothetical? Has that ever happened? No. Will that ever happen? No.

If DT wanted those melodies in a totally different range they would have gone with a different vocalist, or have gotten a new one.

[Shadow Ninja 2.0]

The point of the hypothetical is that, at James' age, it is entirely possible that the super high stuff is going to take a serious toll on him.

[Tis BOOLsheet]

The point of the hypothetical is that, at James' age, it is entirely possible that the super high stuff is going to take a serious toll on him.

So if the notes are so high that it's likely to produce physical damage to him, why doesn't he sing it down an octave?

[Shadow Ninja 2.0]

Wait, so you're okay with that? That seems to clearly conflict with this.

I can't say I agree that if the band has a vision for a melody over their song that they should scrap it in order to give a guy a "break." I don't believe the vocal lines they prescribe are unreasonable. At all.