Distant Memories - New live release

[cramx3]

I much prefer the more "traditional" setup of standing area in front, and seats in back and/or on the sides.  But another hidden "benefit" of seating for the band is probably the extra money seated venue tickets generate.  Although they do not see direct revenue from tickets, seated venues tend to charge more for tickets, and can charge even higher premium prices for tickets in the front, which translates to higher guarantees for the band.  And if some of those premium seats are sold as part of VIP packages, the band might have it structured in such a way that they do possibly see direct revenue from those sales. 

Speaking of which, I wonder why more bands that tend to play standing venues haven't experimented with VIP areas down in front.  I mean, I know Metallica basically did that with their snake pit stage setup.  But I think there are probably far less elaborate ways bands could do that.  For instance, they could have the venue just cordon off a barricade area center stage in front for VIPs.  I guess it might get too difficult to police people stealthily climbing the barricades.  But I'm sure some great minds out there could put their heads together and come up with something not to complicated that could work. 

Yea, the seats will get a nice pay check due to what you are saying.  Iron Maiden tried out the VIP GA thing for awhile and then stopped, not sure why though.  I liked it because I could guarantee myself a closer experience with a little more cash, which I didn't mind doing for my favorite band.  I wonder if it's a venue related thing though, like that requires extra barriers and security to enforce it.  I also wonder if for most smaller GA pits, it just doesnt make sense and would mean less tickets sold and less of an active crowd having a barrier on the floor.  Might also rub people the wrong way of a band trying to milk the fans.  Just some random thoughts on that idea.

[bosk1]

Yeah, I think all of that is valid.  It's always hard to say how fans will react to something like that.  I would think it would be a net positive.  But you never know--it could backfire if it rubs fans the wrong way.

Going back to some of the previous posts, watching the band through a couple of songs in the first set, like ANTR and Fall Into the Light, I don't see a lack of energy.  I mean, they're no Maiden.  But they never really have been that either, at least not for a VERY long time.  Again, maybe I'm just used to how they are onstage.  But although more "energy" might be nice, I don't feel there is anything really "lacking."

[cramx3]

I sense it in their facial expressions, JLB and JR the most.  MM always looks like he's having a blast and a big reason why I've always enjoyed watching him.  Maybe it's just me and my personal preferences and the way I'm perceiving things.

[Stadler]

I much prefer the more "traditional" setup of standing area in front, and seats in back and/or on the sides.  But another hidden "benefit" of seating for the band is probably the extra money seated venue tickets generate.  Although they do not see direct revenue from tickets, seated venues tend to charge more for tickets, and can charge even higher premium prices for tickets in the front, which translates to higher guarantees for the band.  And if some of those premium seats are sold as part of VIP packages, the band might have it structured in such a way that they do possibly see direct revenue from those sales. 

Speaking of which, I wonder why more bands that tend to play standing venues haven't experimented with VIP areas down in front.  I mean, I know Metallica basically did that with their snake pit stage setup.  But I think there are probably far less elaborate ways bands could do that.  For instance, they could have the venue just cordon off a barricade area center stage in front for VIPs.  I guess it might get too difficult to police people stealthily climbing the barricades.  But I'm sure some great minds out there could put their heads together and come up with something not to complicated that could work. 

Yea, the seats will get a nice pay check due to what you are saying.  Iron Maiden tried out the VIP GA thing for awhile and then stopped, not sure why though.  I liked it because I could guarantee myself a closer experience with a little more cash, which I didn't mind doing for my favorite band.  I wonder if it's a venue related thing though, like that requires extra barriers and security to enforce it.  I also wonder if for most smaller GA pits, it just doesnt make sense and would mean less tickets sold and less of an active crowd having a barrier on the floor.  Might also rub people the wrong way of a band trying to milk the fans.  Just some random thoughts on that idea.

I generally get pit tickets when I go see Keith Urban (my wife's favorite) and it's fun. We're usually in the front row or two, we've (not me, I defer to the girls) gotten photos and autographs from him (my Xmas present to my wife one year was a photo with him and her blown up and framed; for one show, he held my daughter's hand while he signed a bunch of other tickets for people).    here's the thing, though: they're steeper at the box office (+/- $125 or so) and they generally hover around $400 on Stubhub before the show.  You can usually get one for $150 out front if the opening act is on (meaning, you're not getting at the barrier).   But the back half of the pit is sometimes wasted space.   At Mohegan, the local casino where he's played his last three or four shows (find his interview with Dan Rather; they shot it on the floor at Mohegan Sun the afternoon of the last show), there's anywhere from 25 to 50 feet of space before the floor seats start. I don't know that Maiden is all that interested in that sort of set up.  I was second row after the pit for Maiden at the amphitheater in Hartford, and I was still pretty close (closer than the guy that shot that video linked here somewhere).

[kirksnosehair]

Dang dude,  Jimmy Buffett puts on a good show. Much better than any Office episode ever made. You must have been a lame date for her that night.. 💤🤦‍♀️

And an expensive one.  Jimmy Buffet tickets aren't cheap.

$25 each.  They were lawn "seats" at an outdoor venue.  Far enough away from the stage that you need binoculars to see anything in detail.  It was a tough show for me because I had just recently quit drinking too and Buffet concerts are all about getting sloshed.

[Ben_Jamin]

I sense it in their facial expressions, JLB and JR the most.  MM always looks like he's having a blast and a big reason why I've always enjoyed watching him.  Maybe it's just me and my personal preferences and the way I'm perceiving things.

Are you finding yourself becoming bored with a Dream Theater show? 

It's funny because I have felt this exact thing at other shows. I used to like Korn, and Slipknot, but I personally got bored with them. I will still see them if they are touring with a band I really want to see, like Babymetal, but I won't go out of my way to buy a front row seat or pit ticket anymore.

I much prefer the more "traditional" setup of standing area in front, and seats in back and/or on the sides.  But another hidden "benefit" of seating for the band is probably the extra money seated venue tickets generate.  Although they do not see direct revenue from tickets, seated venues tend to charge more for tickets, and can charge even higher premium prices for tickets in the front, which translates to higher guarantees for the band.  And if some of those premium seats are sold as part of VIP packages, the band might have it structured in such a way that they do possibly see direct revenue from those sales. 

Speaking of which, I wonder why more bands that tend to play standing venues haven't experimented with VIP areas down in front.  I mean, I know Metallica basically did that with their snake pit stage setup.  But I think there are probably far less elaborate ways bands could do that.  For instance, they could have the venue just cordon off a barricade area center stage in front for VIPs.  I guess it might get too difficult to police people stealthily climbing the barricades.  But I'm sure some great minds out there could put their heads together and come up with something not to complicated that could work. 

Yea, the seats will get a nice pay check due to what you are saying.  Iron Maiden tried out the VIP GA thing for awhile and then stopped, not sure why though.  I liked it because I could guarantee myself a closer experience with a little more cash, which I didn't mind doing for my favorite band.  I wonder if it's a venue related thing though, like that requires extra barriers and security to enforce it.  I also wonder if for most smaller GA pits, it just doesnt make sense and would mean less tickets sold and less of an active crowd having a barrier on the floor.  Might also rub people the wrong way of a band trying to milk the fans.  Just some random thoughts on that idea.

I generally get pit tickets when I go see Keith Urban (my wife's favorite) and it's fun. We're usually in the front row or two, we've (not me, I defer to the girls) gotten photos and autographs from him (my Xmas present to my wife one year was a photo with him and her blown up and framed; for one show, he held my daughter's hand while he signed a bunch of other tickets for people).    here's the thing, though: they're steeper at the box office (+/- $125 or so) and they generally hover around $400 on Stubhub before the show.  You can usually get one for $150 out front if the opening act is on (meaning, you're not getting at the barrier).   But the back half of the pit is sometimes wasted space.  At Mohegan, the local casino where he's played his last three or four shows (find his interview with Dan Rather; they shot it on the floor at Mohegan Sun the afternoon of the last show), there's anywhere from 25 to 50 feet of space before the floor seats start. I don't know that Maiden is all that interested in that sort of set up.  I was second row after the pit for Maiden at the amphitheater in Hartford, and I was still pretty close (closer than the guy that shot that video linked here somewhere).

This is how the pit was at the Nightwish show I went to, and this wasn't VIP. I was behind the mixer, which had two rows behind it closed off. So I was two rows behind the mixer. While the pit, was halfway full. I asked if it could be possible, If I can get down there, and they said, No.

I have gone to shows where the expectation didn't meet the actual sales. And they offered, seats in the lower bowl, at the venue itself on the day of the show and inside had a tent to go to, to pay about $30 for the upgrade, and that included if you bought Lawn. Our biggest venue did that with Mary J. Blige, and Heart. I got some great seats that way.

But being in the pit has helped me get some cool stuff...like a drumstick thrown out by Mario Duplantier of Gojira. Shown at the end of this video....And at this venue, the only way to get into the pit was to get VIP tickets. Until the cut-off time for the VIP packages, then that venue, if the tickets haven't been all sold, will sell those pit tickets, and they go quick. I didn't buy the ticket, my cousin got the VIP package for me and him, so we got to go into the Slipknot Museum Trailer, that was actually pretty cool and neat to see all their old stuff, and it was a lot of stuff.

[cramx3]

I sense it in their facial expressions, JLB and JR the most.  MM always looks like he's having a blast and a big reason why I've always enjoyed watching him.  Maybe it's just me and my personal preferences and the way I'm perceiving things.

Are you finding yourself becoming bored with a Dream Theater show? 

It's funny because I have felt this exact thing at other shows. I used to like Korn, and Slipknot, but I personally got bored with them. I will still see them if they are touring with a band I really want to see, like Babymetal, but I won't go out of my way to buy a front row seat or pit ticket anymore.

I'm not bored with DT or their music, but I guess I could be becoming bored with their live presentation.  However, I think I figured out from the last tour that I get the most out of their shows by being in the back and standing and enjoying it the way I like to vs. being up front and annoyed with the people around me.  The last DT show I went to from this tour in NYC was actually one of my favorite shows of theirs because my friend and I just stood in the empty space behind the last row.  Got a few other people to join us and rock out in the back where we weren't bothering all the people sitting idly.  If I were forced to sit like at TA show, I probably would start cutting back on going or maybe not even go to their shows at all anymore. 

Ive also been pretty vocal for awhile on this board wishing they'd go back to being more of a traditional metal band.  Bring a good opener and play venues with a GA pit and seats in the back/sides.  I really feel like that would bring in new fans and help get DT away from catering to their aging fanbase by bringing in younger people.

Dang dude,  Jimmy Buffett puts on a good show. Much better than any Office episode ever made. You must have been a lame date for her that night.. 💤🤦‍♀️

And an expensive one.  Jimmy Buffet tickets aren't cheap.

$25 each.  They were lawn "seats" at an outdoor venue.  Far enough away from the stage that you need binoculars to see anything in detail.  It was a tough show for me because I had just recently quit drinking too and Buffet concerts are all about getting sloshed.

Oh that's not bad.  His last time coming through here, the lawn tickets were $75 before fees, and the whole place was sold out so second hand were over $100.  I'm not a huge buffet fan but I totally would have gone to check it out if it was in my price range for such a band.  But your last bit about the booze actually makes a lot more sense in terms of being disinterested, that must have been difficult.

[Cool Chris]

Just thought of the Budokan release (the 2004 one). I have not seen it in a long time, but I honestly cannot recall there being a significant number audience shots. I feel the camera work was 99% focused on the band. Maybe this is what Distant Memories needed? You cannot complain about a seated, uninspired audience if you cannot see them.

Again, of course the SFAM set, which is a huge chunk of the product, is going to suffer in comparison to LSFNY. 

How does it "suffer in comparison?" I ask not owning the release. Is this a general consensus?

[Lax]

I'm kind of split about it :

Sitting at a DT show at nearly 40 years old =
PROS :
-You focus on the music and performance (as a musician it's very important to me)
-Overall, knowing the show is 3 hours, I prefer to sit down rather than agonize (which happened to me and my wife after the 2 hours mark lol)

CONS :
-You're not in the heat, move, sometimes violence of the thing (thanks to covid it's not happening again anytime soon anyway)
-Big con is that you're often on the side of the venue, leading to a less immersive experience (and not the full sound experience as designed), but if you're a JP or JR fanboy, you can focus like a stalker !

Etc

[CodyWanKenobi]

It's probably been discussed already somewhere in these 30 thread pages, but I think the DVD/BluRay's main menu concept (getting to hear the crew's walkie talkie audio in real time over the footage of the venue as the show is gearing up to start/come back from intermission) is so frickin cool!

[DarkLord_Lalinc]

I finally got to order this in Mexico.

I'm really happy with this show in every aspect. It's very releasing to just sit back and enjoy something without having the need to nitpick every single thing.

[KevShmev]

Regarding sitting vs standings at concerts, at my age (47), I prefer to have seats, but always like the option to stand so I can pick my spots as to when I can stand and rock out.  Of course, I am never that guy who will stand when everyone else in the section is sitting.  Being able to conserve my energy for the handful of standing moments is nice, and if it ends up being a show where people stand for most of it, I can usually take it and if I have to sit for a few songs when many around me are standing, that is okay, too, especially if I know the set list going in and can sort of plan as to what songs I don't mind sitting down for.

[Stadler]

Regarding sitting vs standings at concerts, at my age (47), I prefer to have seats, but always like the option to stand so I can pick my spots as to when I can stand and rock out.  Of course, I am never that guy who will stand when everyone else in the section is sitting.  Being able to conserve my energy for the handful of standing moments is nice, and if it ends up being a show where people stand for most of it, I can usually take it and if I have to sit for a few songs when many around me are standing, that is okay, too, especially if I know the set list going in and can sort of plan as to what songs I don't mind sitting down for.

That's me, especially the bolded.  I was front row for Squeeze, right in front of Chris Difford, and he was actually exhorting me to stand up, but I wasn't going to be the ONE GUY standing, especially in the front row.  I actually felt bad.

[kirksnosehair]

heh, the only show I ever sat in the front row for was The Flower Kings at the Regent Theater in Arlington, MA.  That had to be around 12 years ago now.  I think they were touring The Sum of No Evil album.  I was close enough to Hasse that he dripped sweat on me a number of times 


I've seen them 10 times, the only band I've seen more is Iron Maiden.  The Flower Kings concerts are always seated shows.  At least the ones I went to were.  There might have been a few people in the back who were standing, but the bulk of those audiences sat quietly and watched.  We almost always gave them a standing ovation between songs, but then everyone sits down again.  Perfect concerts, for me anyway.


Going all the way back to 2002 for my first Dream Theater show ever -Orpheum Theater Boston- up in the balcony where I sat in the front row everyone behind me was seated so I stayed seated.  Everyone down on the floor level was standing.  They were touring the SDOIT album, band firing on all cylinders. That, at least for me, was the best Dream Theater concert I've ever seen.  The volume and the mix were perfect.  These days they play far, far too loud for me.  I doubt I'll ever go see them live again, I had to leave early the last 3 times I saw them because the volume was killing me, even with ear plugs.

[nattmorker]

I finally got to order this in Mexico.

I'm really happy with this show in every aspect. It's very releasing to just sit back and enjoy something without having the need to nitpick every single thing.

Great! Where do you order this from? I'm also looking to get this in Mexico. 

[DarkLord_Lalinc]

I finally got to order this in Mexico.

I'm really happy with this show in every aspect. It's very releasing to just sit back and enjoy something without having the need to nitpick every single thing.

Great! Where do you order this from? I'm also looking to get this in Mexico. 

Amazon México 

[faizoff]

I completed a full listen to the new live album on CD first. The mix is sooo good, not sure what parts are fixed up but honestly won't bother me much.
Also great to hear At Wit's End, the solo tag at the end is what JP really excels at.

I also watched the 1st half of the concert and the video and audio mix is fantastic. I love everything about it, this is IMO the Budokan of the Mangini era. Flawless pretty much start to finish.

I do have a question for those who play guitar or are familiar with JP's setup. When you hear him play the intro riffs or standalone riffs in tracks eg the beginning of Falling Into The Light, you hear his guitar riff to the right and then when the band kicks in it pans to the left, is that a pedal setting or just how the mix is done? Because in the past and even here you can see when he's doing the solos the guitar stream changes to a more central 'lane' or channel if you will. Is that just a mix thing or an output through some pedal control?

[kirksnosehair]

I think that's specific to that song and it would be something done by the sound guy in real time most likely

[Chino]

I completed a full listen to the new live album on CD first. The mix is sooo good, not sure what parts are fixed up but honestly won't bother me much.
Also great to hear At Wit's End, the solo tag at the end is what JP really excels at.

I also watched the 1st half of the concert and the video and audio mix is fantastic. I love everything about it, this is IMO the Budokan of the Mangini era. Flawless pretty much start to finish.

I do have a question for those who play guitar or are familiar with JP's setup. When you hear him play the intro riffs or standalone riffs in tracks eg the beginning of Falling Into The Light, you hear his guitar riff to the right and then when the band kicks in it pans to the left, is that a pedal setting or just how the mix is done? Because in the past and even here you can see when he's doing the solos the guitar stream changes to a more central 'lane' or channel if you will. Is that just a mix thing or an output through some pedal control?

I'm 99.9% that's the mix. I don't know of any musician that controls the level of their L/R output while performing.

[faizoff]

I too think it's related to the mix, only reason I ask is because of how different the tone and location of the guitar is when it's time for a solo. So I figured it might be a similar thing on certain sections when playing rhythms/riffs.

[nattmorker]

I finally got to order this in Mexico.

I'm really happy with this show in every aspect. It's very releasing to just sit back and enjoy something without having the need to nitpick every single thing.

Great! Where do you order this from? I'm also looking to get this in Mexico. 

Amazon México 

Thanks for the info!

[Pettor]

At Wit's End is really amazing on this one. Such a good song and I think they really nailed it live there! However why didn't they extend that outro for another 13 minutes or so?!

[geeeemo]

I just listened again. Didn't watch, just listened. Scenes is just fantastic! I listen to a lot of live DT when biking, running etc.. This really sounds great and James sounds better than the other live versions of Scenes to me. The crowd may be sitting  , but they are very interactive and the sing along parts are fantastic. Finally Free gave me goosebumps. I definately would never want them to do Scenes again, but it never, ever disappoints. It is perfect and perfect for James voice.

[Dublagent66]

Love James' scream at the end of "by the grace of God above everyone survived"   

[wolfking]

I finally got around to having a bit of a listen to this.  Only listened to the first set but I love James and always have, but jeez, he's getting harder and harder to listen to.

[geeeemo]

Scenes is better. He sounds really good in Scenes.

[wolfking]

Scenes is better. He sounds really good in Scenes.

Okay, I'll reserve judgement. 

[TAC]

Scenes is better. He sounds really good in Scenes.

Okay, I'll reserve judgement.

I think she means Live Scenes From New York.

[geeeemo]

No. I mean Live in London. I like it better

[wolfking]

No. I mean Live in London. I like it better

Based on the first set, this opinion is mindblowing to me.

[WilliamMunny]

Inspired by this thread, I re-visited this album yesterday, and am still blown away by how good the band sounds.

There are a handful of definitive James moments for me here—Nightmare to Remember, and most of the D/T stuff.

While I'm not sure I like this version of Scenes better than Live Scenes, it's very much on par for me in terms of performance. My biggest issue is that I just like the mix so much on Live Scenes.

That being said, unlike the previous 2 releases, I have listened to this album a ton, and given his age, this is James at or near the top of his game for most of the set. Very impressed.

[Ben_Jamin]

My issue with James live and with Dream Theater, is how he changes the vocals and it doesn't great. Beyond This Life, "Our Deeds Have Travelled Farrr.....arrr" is the best example of this.

It's the way he does those fluctuations with his voice to compensate for the melodies he can't do anymore. Or wanted to try something different but this one didn't work at all.

[geeeemo]

My issue with James live and with Dream Theater, is how he changes the vocals and it doesn't great. Beyond This Life, "Our Deeds Have Travelled Farrr.....arrr" is the best example of this.

It's the way he does those fluctuations with his voice to compensate for the melodies he can't do anymore. Or wanted to try something different but this one didn't work at all.

Sometimes you are right about his change of melody. But this specific part he could actually do and did in the third chorus. In this case I find it interesting and fitting. Live is fun because of the little differences that are played or sung. Why listen otherwise? This little part is fun and then makes it more enjoyable when he sings the orignal way later. And what about the great scream on ...love a wayward .... maaan!! So good.

[PetFish]

I finally got around to having a bit of a listen to this.  Only listened to the first set but I love James and always have, but jeez, he's getting harder and harder to listen to.

I've said this as well and there's two things that stand out to me:

1)  He always seems out of breath, taking many mid-sentence and mid-word pauses.
2)  The way he goes "wwwwww" before a lot of words.

I think #2 has been around for quite a while now but #1 I feel has only been happening recently.

[Ben_Jamin]

Found this footage of the ending to At Wit's End from Tuscon, AZ.

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

JLB was on fire this night, and I liked the ending solo to this one. I think it was way better than the Live In London Solo. Glad I found a video of it.