2019 set list and tour discussion (**KEEP ALL SPOILERS HERE**)

[SystematicThought]

I'll be interested to see the encore. If they do just tracks from the new album, then why bother having us do that "What songs do you want to hear" thing.

Don't get me wrong, I'm pumped to see them next week, that first set just has me kinda shrugging my shoulders.

[DarkLord_Lalinc]

I can only imagine the encore will consist mostly of D/T. At Wit's End would be a fantastic set closer.

[Dedalus]

I'll be interested to see the encore. If they do just tracks from the new album, then why bother having us do that "What songs do you want to hear" thing.

Don't get me wrong, I'm pumped to see them next week, that first set just has me kinda shrugging my shoulders.

I agree.

It would be simpler = act 1 d/t; act 2 SFAM; encore.

[bill1971]

I'll be interested to see the encore. If they do just tracks from the new album, then why bother having us do that "What songs do you want to hear" thing.

Don't get me wrong, I'm pumped to see them next week, that first set just has me kinda shrugging my shoulders.

I agree.

It would be simpler = act 1 d/t; act 2 SFAM; encore.

Agreed. This new album is amazing!!

[The Letter M]

By my calculations, we should be at the encore in about 35-40 minutes. Not sure if my eyes can stay awake that long (it's 1:02am here). I may have to wake up and be surprised tomorrow morning! Argh...

-Marc.

[SystematicThought]

Pull Me Under starts the encore

[The Letter M]

PMU starts the encore...not sure if there's more yet.

-Marc.

[GasparXR]

Wow... I'm surprised given that they played I&W to death last tour. I'm hoping it's the only song from that album to appear again.

[DarkLord_Lalinc]

PMU has been the only "meh" choice for me up to this moment. They could've gone a more interesting route with Under a Glass Moon or something to that extent.

That being said, I'm surprised they played something from I&W. I thought they'd be done with that for a while. Ah, hits will be hits I guess.

[SystematicThought]

I assume because he hasn't tweeted in 15 min. that the show is over

[Volante99]

PMU has been the only "meh" choice for me up to this moment. They could've gone a more interesting route with Under a Glass Moon or something to that extent.

That being said, I'm surprised they played something from I&W. I thought they'd be done with that for a while. Ah, hits will be hits I guess.

Yeah I'm meh on it too, but it's pretty rare for them NOT to play either Metropolis 1 or PMU

[erwinrafael]

Saw the pic of MM's kit. WOW the height of those cymbals! LOLOLOL

And just a single bass drum.

[DarkLord_Lalinc]

I assume because he hasn't tweeted in 15 min. that the show is over

This would be kinda lame lol.

I mean, this is a long 2:30 show and the guys are not 35 anymore but I could've definitely used something cooler as an encore.

[Dedalus]

I assume because he hasn't tweeted in 15 min. that the show is over

Overall, somewhat disappointing.

[SystematicThought]

I've seen some pictures on Instagram and it looks like they do indeed have a giant screen behind them. I was curious if they'd drop the screens like they did on the last tour.

And yeah, I'm kinda underwhelmed by this set. We submitted this giant list of songs directly to the band, and I don't think a single one made it on the set. Still looking forward to Scenes though. Home is one of my favorite songs

[erwinrafael]

My concern is no Surrender To Reason. They might end up never playing it.

[RaiseTheKnife]

Pull Me Under-whelming.

[Volante99]

Yes disappointing.

I get you absolutely cannot please everyone but man...at least there's SFaM

Thoughts:
-Missed an opportunity with not playing At Wit's End. That song is meant to be played live and a clear fan favorite.
-Odd they didn't play FItL - they've hyped the hell out of that song, I'm 99% certain it will show up in other shows
-Feel like Nightmare and Prescence of Enemies were most likely chosen because they are easier on LaBrie's voice. I could probably sing ANtR and get away with it, and I'm no singer...

No Portnoy-centric songs beyond SFaM just as I predicted. Another tour with no Glass Prison.

[erwinrafael]

Isn't ANTR Portnoy-Centric?

[Anguyen92]

^^ Nope, written by JP.  About a car crash in his past.

[Volante99]

Isn't ANTR Portnoy-Centric?

Lyrics were done by Petrucci. I guess by Portnoy-centric I meant either a 12 step song, or a lyrics by Portnoy. I suppose it's Portnoy-ish with the growls and heaviness lol...

[Lowe2005]

I am pleased with ANTR and ITPOE Pt.I (although I don't quite see why you would do only the first part, especially when it's not the opener) but I agree with the sentiment about nothing from the submitted list. FITL missing is really odd. James said in Prog magazine that PMU was one song he was definite they weren't going to do, he said something like no one needs to hear that one again.

[erwinrafael]

^^ Nope, written by JP.  About a car crash in his past.

Yeah, I just thought that Volante99 was talking about songs featuring Portnoy prominently, as he referenced SFAM.

[Volante99]

On a positive note:

Excited that the big screen is back; backdrop looks cool, excited for the visuals.

Also saw a clip of "Home" from the show; LaBrie sounds strong! 

[CaelPetrucci]

Set One - Awesome. Will see that in a heartbeat. Set two - would love to see SFAM. Encore - Ruined it.

Set one's problem is length. Should be a bit longer to fit in some classic songs (didn't they say there'd be "classic" tunes. Kinda count the two songs from pre-D/T as deep cuts.). Another problem, the top two songs on this album after PBD were completely unplayed.

My issue lies in the fact that certain key elements of the shows were cut short. Usually, with the MM shows, you always get the extended guitar solo, a keyboard solo and a drum solo. The only one of these that can be fully accounted for on this setlist is the guitar solo which would be in Through Her Eyes. I don't see the room for a keyboard solo, nor the drum solo outside of being embedded in Pale Blue Dot.
At Wit's End would've been the perfect song for an extended solo for JP. S2N would've been great for a bass solo intro and keyboard solo outro. I don't know where MM really can solo though.

I'm looking forward to seeing what can be brought by the rotating setlists. On to tomorrow's show.

[Infinite Cactus]

I saw the clip too. It was pretty good but ...I felt his pitch was rough on all the high parts. It seems like the power is back  and it's only one clip so we'll see. Excited about this tour though.

[SystematicThought]

https://youtu.be/pffSrUymjqQ

Here is a clip of Home. That stage setup looks cool. The video looks interesting too

[Infinite Cactus]

The screens and animations seem super cool. The stage looks neat.

[Volante99]

I saw the clip too. It was pretty good but ...I felt his pitch was rough on all the high parts. It seems like the power is back  and it's only one clip so we'll see. Excited about this tour though.

I should say it's strong...compared to what I heard during the last I&W anniversary tour. In any event LaBrie takes a few shows to warm up.

[Mladen]

I like the set list, I wouldn't mind seeing this show. Pull me under is a safe choice for the encore, but I get it, they need to throw casual fans the bone. Even though SFAM is a legendary album, some people probably don't listen to it in full religiously. And that first set is all "newer" stuff, so Pull me under is perfect way to close things off.

[Max Kuehnau]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pffSrUymjqQ MM is far too close to Porty here, I was dissappointed. Had to throw up (mentally). He failed. Doesn't suffice at all to me. He failed.

[nobloodyname]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pffSrUymjqQ MM is far too close to Porty here, I was dissappointed. Had to throw up (mentally). He failed. Doesn't suffice at all to me. He failed.

Not necessarily this particular one but some of your comments sail really close to the wind. What was it you said about Portnoy recently? Something about ruining early Dream Theater and you could barely listen to them solely because of him? Now you're 'mentally throwing up' regarding Mangini's performance and telling people "he failed". I think you might need to get a little perspective.

[Max Kuehnau]

You're right I guess. It's just that I always expect more notes to be played. I don't really know why. Probably because I'm focusing on the technical aspects of music only.  (about the perspective quip: Yes, I'm still happy MM plays these pieces. I'm German though, we always complain, it's part of our constution I still don't know if I'm going to attend this tour though) Apart from all that, I do think James does a good job of Home here. (and it's only the first night of the tour)

[erwinrafael]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pffSrUymjqQ MM is far too close to Porty here, I was dissappointed. Had to throw up (mentally). He failed. Doesn't suffice at all to me. He failed.

It's his first time to play the song. Wait when he gets to us here in Asia, it would be miles better already.

[SeRoX]

Why the band always avoiding playing ITPOE pt 2?  It's far better than pt1.

I wouldn't mind if they replace Pull Me Under into ITPOE pt 1 in set 1 and play ITPOE overall as an encore.