Blu Ray / DVD of The Astonishing tour

[Peter1960]

There have been two recent live chats with JR and JP, during which they answered fans questions. Unless I missed it, I did not see either of them address any questions regarding a Blu Ray or DVD of the current tour.

In his live chat, JP stated that there will be no more full shows of The Astonishing after the current run, so this is their only chance to film a show.

Has anyone met any of the band during the current tour and specifically asked if there will be a Blu Ray or DVD ? I seem to recall that the filming of the Boston Opera House show for BTFW was not announced in advance, so perhaps they have something up their sleeve for us ?

There are 18 shows remaining - which venue might be good for a DVD shoot ?

I sincerely hope that they do film one of the remaining shows, otherwise it will be a lost opportunity.

[Skeever]

Don't think we're getting one. Maybe if TA had a bigger production, like The Theater Equation, I could see it happening. But idk when/if it could get to that point.

[TAC]

  I seem to recall that the filming of the Boston Opera House show for BTFW was not announced in advance,

Yes, it was.

[jonny108]

They have announced they will be touring Asia and Australia sometime in the New Year.

My guess is they will film one of those shows.

[MirrorMask]

I had a theory that the first legs were meant to scout for the best theatre in terms of sounds and location, but I guess I was wrong...

I also remember when the italian date of Trieste was cancelled, the press release (from the promoters) said something about them trying to work out with the band a date in October / November, but evidently no second european leg has ever materialized.

[goo-goo]

I was thinking this morning that they could choose to perform a one-night only to record TA later this year with the full orchestra, the virtual production stuff that they were talking and maybe different guests for each role. Not sure if it will happen though.

[Chino]

In his live chat, JP stated that there will be no more full shows of The Astonishing after the current run, so this is their only chance to film a show.

If that's the case, I'm going to go out on a limb and say they'll film it over two shows. They'll play two shows in one city. On night one they'll play the first half of TA and then a bunch of random songs. On night two they'll play the second half of TA and play a bunch of other random songs. They'll use both halves of TA to make the filmed version.

[jonny108]

In his live chat, JP stated that there will be no more full shows of The Astonishing after the current run, so this is their only chance to film a show.

I believe that was referring to North America only.

[cramx3]

I seem to recall that the filming of the Boston Opera House show for BTFW was not announced in advance

I believe it was well known that show was being filmed with the orchestra.

If any show was already filmed, my guess would be it was in europe since they shot the music video for Our New World there.  However, I doubt this is the scenario and my feeling of a live release of this show is fading every day.  I think the lack of fan support may be the reason why.  I still would love to get a blu ray of the show though.

[bosk1]

Has anyone met any of the band during the current tour and specifically asked if there will be a Blu Ray or DVD ?

I asked JP earlier.  I can't remember whether it was after the show I saw them at on the first leg or whether we were discussing it via email when the first leg was wrapping up and they were getting ready to launch the second leg.  The response was that they were definitely planning to do so.  For reasons that should be obvious, I did not dig any deeper.  But they have (or at least had at that time) every intention of filming for a live release.

I think I am going to see them again next month.  If so, I will try to remember to ask again. 

[DarkLord_Lalinc]

Maybe if TA had a bigger production, like The Theater Equation

wat

[IDontNotDoThings]

They have announced they will be touring Asia and Australia sometime in the New Year.

[PetFish]

Maybe if TA had a bigger production, like The Theater Equation

wat

I know, right?  The The Astonishing tour has had the biggest production of any Dream Theater show in their history so no soup for you.

       

[Cyclopssss]

Yeah, I'm not holding my breath either. Hard to believe it hasn't been a year since release.

[goo-goo]

They have announced they will be touring Asia and Australia sometime in the New Year.

Would be cool if they filmed TA at the Sydney Opera House.

[rumborak]

Maybe if TA had a bigger production, like The Theater Equation

wat

I know, right?  The The Astonishing tour has had the biggest production of any Dream Theater show in their history so no soup for you.

       

In what way? The DT12 DVD had full-fledged animation videos (The opener video, or Enigma Machine, anyone?) and a live orchestra. A TA DVD almost certainly would be a smaller production, unless they add something.

[Cable]

While I do not feel DT needs to put out a live DVD every tour (although another revenue stream in this tough era), I would really be bummed if they didn't film TA. The album still hasn't stuck with me, albeit I haven't gone back to it in awhile. But I feel a live DVD would help me further get into the album. It worked for SFAM for me.

[TheCountOfNYC]

They have announced they will be touring Asia and Australia sometime in the New Year.

Would be cool if they filmed TA at the Sydney Opera House.

This would be the perfect place. It's such a legendary venue and filming a full performance of this incredible album there would be amazing.

[cramx3]

They have announced they will be touring Asia and Australia sometime in the New Year.

Would be cool if they filmed TA at the Sydney Opera House.

This would be the perfect place. It's such a legendary venue and filming a full performance of this incredible album there would be amazing.

Yea, I think that would be a great spot to film a potential DVD.  It fits, it's historic, it's a location they haven't filmed in, and it's actually possible they will be playing there.

[Zook]

Maybe if TA had a bigger production, like The Theater Equation

wat

I know, right?  The The Astonishing tour has had the biggest production of any Dream Theater show in their history so no soup for you.

       

I think he means casting the different roles. I really don't think a live Astonishing DVD would be necessary otherwise.

"But Live Scenes!"

They weren't playing to a click then. If we don't get different singers, the show would feature nothing different from the album.

[bosk1]

They weren't playing to a click then. If we don't get different singers, the show would feature nothing different from the album.

...except for:
-A live presentation
-Video
-The amazing visuals
-The crowd interaction
-Extended solo on A New Beginning
-Likely, the only chance ever to have a live presentation of this album in its entirety
Etc.

[Chino]

They weren't playing to a click then. If we don't get different singers, the show would feature nothing different from the album.

...except for:
-A live presentation
-Video
-The amazing visuals
-The crowd interaction
-Extended solo on A New Beginning
-Likely, the only chance ever to have a live presentation of this album in its entirety
Etc.

That alone is worth it IMO.

[Zook]

They weren't playing to a click then. If we don't get different singers, the show would feature nothing different from the album.

...except for:
-A live presentation
-Video
-The amazing visuals
-The crowd interaction
-Extended solo on A New Beginning
-Likely, the only chance ever to have a live presentation of this album in its entirety
Etc.

- Not knocking them, but they aren't exactly Iron Maiden when it comes to presentation.
- Motion pictures aren't my thing
- They aren't that amazing, but at least they aren't LSFNY visuals
- Crowd's been almost muted for years. They're more audible on BTFW atleast.
- Hurray?
- Meh, I'd rather just listen to the album.

I love Dream Theater and The Astonishing is great, but if they don't do something really special like have other singers for the roles, then I'm not interested.

I had a blast watching Dream Theater live the 3 times I did, but the concert is a bit standard. Even the one time I saw them with Portnoy opening for Maiden. Great show, loved it, but nothing "OH MY GOD AMAZING" about it.

I guess I should also point out that I listen to live shows way more than watch them.

[bosk1]

And that's all fine.  But it not bringing anything to the table that you are interested in isn't the same thing as it "featur[ing] nothing different from the album."

[KevShmev]

I love The Astonishing, but I have to admit that it won't bother me at all if they don't record a show to release on DVD or Blu-ray.  I rarely watch concert videos anymore, except the truly special ones, and from what I have read, this one wouldn't be.

[rumborak]

These days DT is also putting a rather heavy hand on their dubbing process. I have honestly listened to the bootleg of the Boston show more often than the official DVD, because on the bootleg I know I'm listening to the orchestra, not an overdub. Remember when they released the teaser video of the show and the audio totally didn't match up with JP's visuals because they had overdubbed big parts of his solo for the DVD? That stuff sticks with me, and drags down my enjoyment of it. .

[TAC]

I agree totally. They should of kept in the fact that James forgot Erin's name and when he thanked the Boston College orchestra!

[rumborak]

When the RCMH video had the guitar overdubbed because the amp crapped out during the show, that didn't bother me too much. But when JP, or the orchestra, flubs I want to hear it. Because it makes it real. For a band that's already struggling with sounding mechanical, I feel they should stay away from overdubs as much as possible.

[Adami]

When the RCMH video had the guitar overdubbed because the amp crapped out during the show, that didn't bother me too much. But when JP, or the orchestra, flubs I want to hear it. Because it makes it real. For a band that's already struggling with sounding mechanical, I feel they should stay away from overdubs as much as possible.

I think it would be interesting if they released a DVD of The Astonishing live, but literally replaced 100% of the audio with the studio album and see if people argue that they didn't do it.

[Bertielee]

When the RCMH video had the guitar overdubbed because the amp crapped out during the show, that didn't bother me too much. But when JP, or the orchestra, flubs I want to hear it. Because it makes it real. For a band that's already struggling with sounding mechanical, I feel they should stay away from overdubs as much as possible.

I totally agree with you, Rumby. Make a mistake? Keep it! A live album/DVD doesn't have to sound like it's in the studio or I'll just listen to the studio album.

B.Lee

[Architeuthis]

I like when bands have flubs/mistakes, it keeps it real and shows that they're only human. Most of the time the audience laughs with them, not at them. 
I remember seeing YES a few years back, they had a train wreck a little ways into a song and stopped playing to start the song over. Everybody started cheering!! 

[Kotowboy]

Overdubbing on a live album is like doing a painting - then scanning it into photoshop and adjusting it digitally then printing it out.

[cramx3]

I like when bands have flubs/mistakes, it keeps it real and shows that they're only human. Most of the time the audience laughs with them, not at them. 

Agreed, although it depends on how bad it is if I would want to include it on the DVD.  The RCMH edit made sense, but small mistakes/accidents are fine for live releases IMO.

[MirrorMask]

As someone who doesn't play instruments, I wouldn't even recognize mistakes, unless they're major clusterfucks.

You're at a concert, you're caught in the moment, the sound is what it is and always LOUD, how can you notice a minor mistake unless you're paying attention to a specific instrument that youreself you're familiar with? I could only realize how bad a singer is singing if that's the case, and that's it.

[cramx3]

As someone who doesn't play instruments, I wouldn't even recognize mistakes, unless they're major clusterfucks.

You're at a concert, you're caught in the moment, the sound is what it is and always LOUD, how can you notice a minor mistake unless you're paying attention to a specific instrument that youreself you're familiar with? I could only realize how bad a singer is singing if that's the case, and that's it.

I'm not a musician either, but depends on how well you know the band/music and how good the sound is at the concert to notice the mistakes for me.  Regardless, if it's on a release it will be much more easily discovered and probably ridiculed and is a good reason why the band (or any band) wouldn't do that.