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

[Lethean]

I actually prefer Paralyzed, but I think it's sad if they're not switching anything at all.  I know it's never going to be like it used to be, but I keep hoping there will be at least a small amount of variety in their sets.

[porcacultor]

It looks like Fall Into the Light has completely replaced Paralyzed.

If I had to guess, part of the reason (besides audience reaction, possibly) is that Paralyzed was the only song in the setlist requiring a guitar change to a baritone tuned to B-flat. With FITL, JP can switch from the C-tuned baritone from UA/ANTR to a standard tuned regular guitar for FITL, BW and ITPOE, switching back to a 7-string for PBD only (in the first set). Logistically, it leads to less hiccups -- like the technical difficulties in Paralyzed witnessed a while back.

[Lethean]

Forgive the possibly stupid question, but why would that lead to more technical difficulties?  There were Rush shows where it seemed like Alex was changing guitars after every song.  If you're just taking one off and putting a new one on..  ?

[cramx3]

It looks like Fall Into the Light has completely replaced Paralyzed.

[TheFrozenInferno]

Saw them in Toronto too, and man, did they crush it!!! It was my first time seeing SFAM live in full, and this made me appreciate the album even more, if that's even possible. James sang REALLY well, and nailed even the toughest vocal moments of the set. Mangini was simply amazing, and did all the Scenes material justice while leaving his mark on those songs. The negative comment goes for the Toronto crowd, which was seriously disengaged, at least where I was sitting. Good attendance, but I noticed people checking Facebook during the show...come on, people, you're seeing the best band on the planet and you chose to check out Facebook?

I was up on the balcony and the crowd was pretty timid during the first set, but was noticeably more engaged during SFAM and PMU.

[cramx3]

Not sure if anyone saw this pre show warm up video from last night 

https://twitter.com/dreamtheaternet/status/1114687978423631872

[TAC]

That's funny!

[porcacultor]

Forgive the possibly stupid question, but why would that lead to more technical difficulties?  There were Rush shows where it seemed like Alex was changing guitars after every song.  If you're just taking one off and putting a new one on..  ?

This isn't a stupid question! I'm mostly guessing anyway 

This tour, JP went from cables to wireless and from physical amps and cabinets to an axe fx II unit (or so it seems, I'll gladly be corrected by more technically minded users!), so maybe the moment of fitting each guitar with the wireless setup introduces the possibility of a hiccup. Less guitar changes, less hiccups!

I may be way off mark here though!

[gzarruk]

Forgive the possibly stupid question, but why would that lead to more technical difficulties?  There were Rush shows where it seemed like Alex was changing guitars after every song.  If you're just taking one off and putting a new one on..  ?

This isn't a stupid question! I'm mostly guessing anyway 

This tour, JP went from cables to wireless and from physical amps and cabinets to an axe fx II unit (or so it seems, I'll gladly be corrected by more technically minded users!), so maybe the moment of fitting each guitar with the wireless setup introduces the possibility of a hiccup. Less guitar changes, less hiccups!

I may be way off mark here though!

He's been using the Axe FX for years, and he only uses it for effects, not amp modeling. Also, the cabinets that were onstage were just empty shells for the looks only. He always has a couple cabs at HIGH volume somewhere off the stage.

As for the guitar changes, yes, it's easier/better to play a show with less guitar changes, as you can run smoother transitions between songs, instead of going to your tech every time a new song starts. That's why on the CIM bonus footage we see JP's tech (not Maddi) thanking Portnoy for having two drop D guitar songs back to back on the set, so they don't have to change guitars more times during the set.

[GandL]

I was at the Montreal show with my daughter , and it was simply awsome. À truly great performance from each member. This was the 5th time I saw them, and the best one. Great crowd also.

[mikeyd23]

Forgive the possibly stupid question, but why would that lead to more technical difficulties?  There were Rush shows where it seemed like Alex was changing guitars after every song.  If you're just taking one off and putting a new one on..  ?

This isn't a stupid question! I'm mostly guessing anyway 

This tour, JP went from cables to wireless and from physical amps and cabinets to an axe fx II unit (or so it seems, I'll gladly be corrected by more technically minded users!), so maybe the moment of fitting each guitar with the wireless setup introduces the possibility of a hiccup. Less guitar changes, less hiccups!

I may be way off mark here though!

He's been using the Axe FX for years, and he only uses it for effects, not amp modeling. Also, the cabinets that were onstage were just empty shells for the looks only. He always has a couple cabs at HIGH volume somewhere off the stage.

As for the guitar changes, yes, it's easier/better to play a show with less guitar changes, as you can run smoother transitions between songs, instead of going to your tech every time a new song starts. That's why on the CIM bonus footage we see JP's tech (not Maddi) thanking Portnoy for having two drop D guitar songs back to back on the set, so they don't have to change guitars more times during the set.

As to his rig, I'd assume he's using his signature amps still, and just using the Axe Fx for effects, which is basically the setup he's been using for a long time. Like gzarruk mentioned, even when he had cabs on stage, they were dummies, so I'm assuming he's still micing cabs off stage. So really, the big difference is wireless instead of a cable.

I'd love to see a detailed rig rundown of his gear on this tour.

[MasterLomaxus]

A little late here, but the show was awesome (Chicago). After seeing them 4 times now with Mangini, I must say that his cymbals sound like shit, or perhaps trashcan lids. But again I fucking loved it. There were a couple of epic surprises in the setlist for sure.

[cramx3]

For those who have seen them this tour, do they hit the stage at 8pm sharp like they've been doing?  My ticket for Red Bank just says 8pm, doesn't say when doors are but I am guessing doors at 7 and show at 8.

[bosk1]

For those who have seen them this tour, do they hit the stage at 8pm sharp like they've been doing? 

Yes.

[geeeemo]

Except for that concert that started at 7 in Milwaukee that I went to - after seeing them at 8 the previous week.....

[cramx3]

For those who have seen them this tour, do they hit the stage at 8pm sharp like they've been doing? 

Yes.

Thanks, figured that but just making sure

[axeman90210]

And what time are they typically finishing up a show when they start at 8. Wondering if I can double dip on Friday and still catch Thank You Scientist's set later on that night.

[King Postwhore]

Got the Paralyzed set in Boston tonight.

[Lethean]

Got the Paralyzed set in Boston tonight.

[Lethean]

And what time are they typically finishing up a show when they start at 8. Wondering if I can double dip on Friday and still catch Thank You Scientist's set later on that night.

Around 11 - probably 10:50 or so but close to 11 by the time they finish saying bye to the crowd and stuff.

[Architeuthis]

Got the Paralyzed set in Boston tonight.

I'd prefer the FITL set!   

[geeeemo]

I got to see both!! 

[Mladen]

I would love to hear Paralyzed. FITL turned out to be my least favorite song on the album, so it would be a bummer for me to get that set. 

[Architeuthis]

I would love to hear Paralyzed. FITL turned out to be my least favorite song on the album, so it would be a bummer for me to get that set. 

I don't get to see either set since they skipped the Northwest.. 

[Chino]

What are the differences between the two sets?

[Dream Team]

What are the differences between the two sets?

[cramx3]

What are the differences between the two sets?

Paralyzed or FitL

[RodrigoAltaf]

I'd love to get some clarity on why bringing back A Nightmare to Remember. It eats up 16 minutes of the set, and it was never perceived as a fan favorite. I can think of a bunch of other songs that would be a better fit in that spot: Sacrificed Sons, In the name of God, Voices, Ministry of Lost Souls...all with similar length and which would be a much better fit.

[Chino]

I'm excited as shit to see ANTR

[bosk1]

I'd love to get some clarity on why bringing back A Nightmare to Remember.

I'll try to help:  It's a really cool song, and the band digs it a lot.

[cramx3]

I'd love to get some clarity on why bringing back A Nightmare to Remember. It eats up 16 minutes of the set, and it was never perceived as a fan favorite. I can think of a bunch of other songs that would be a better fit in that spot: Sacrificed Sons, In the name of God, Voices, Ministry of Lost Souls...all with similar length and which would be a much better fit.

Voices was played more recently so I think only ITNOG would have been a better choice, but I wonder if MM having played this for the tryout was a reason to play it so it's less for him to learn.  But I'm OK with it, I think the part that stinks is it takes up a lot of set time, but it's an awesome song.

[fadetoblackdude7]

I think the band probably wanted to tip their hats to BC&SL for its 10th anniversary, and since ANTR hadn't been played in a hot minute they figured why not?

[KevShmev]

Got the Paralyzed set in Boston tonight.

That's a bad beat.

I'd love to get some clarity on why bringing back A Nightmare to Remember. It eats up 16 minutes of the set, and it was never perceived as a fan favorite. I can think of a bunch of other songs that would be a better fit in that spot: Sacrificed Sons, In the name of God, Voices, Ministry of Lost Souls...all with similar length and which would be a much better fit.

Ugh, I would hope The Ministry of Lost Souls will stay on the shelf when it comes to the live sets.  The ending is great, but it is a major chore to get through that song, and I remember seeing live footage of when they played in on the SC tour and thinking, "I have never seen a long Dream Theater look and sound so boring before in the live setting."

A Nightmare to Remember wouldn't have been near the top of choices for me either, but for all its fault, it is still a fun tune and it rocks.  The first half is still pretty awesome and that alone would be cool to see.

[erciccio]

I'd love to get some clarity on why bringing back A Nightmare to Remember.

I'll try to help:  It's a really cool song, and   the band digs it a lot.

Fixed

[deslock]

Went on media blackout so I wouldn't know the first set at the Boston show last night.

They played well and I enjoyed the show but I'm disappointed that we got only 4 new songs, and they didn't play any of my top 3 (At Wits End, S2N, Fall into the Light).

A Nightmare to Remember is an OK song, and I respect artists for playing what they want, and for pulling out long deep cuts, but they could've replaced it with both S2N and At Wits End. To me that was a missed opportunity.

In the Presence of Enemies Part 1 (a fantastic surprise), Pale Blue Dot, Home, and Dance of Eternity were the highlights of the show, in my opinion.

Seeing them again in CT. I got tickets to two shows to increase the chances of seeing more new songs (had a feeling they'd rotate at least two this tour given that they're playing all of Scenes from a Memory). I see they sometimes play Fall into the Light instead of Paralyzed. Hope that happens tonight.