Top Of The World Tour 2023

[cramx3]

The downside is a strict speed limit getting to the 013 (I went there last year while in Amsterdam for work).  I guess that's one thing I remember most about going to the 013 (as an American).  Nice venue though, although the show I saw was in the small, not main, hall.

[crystalstars17]

Watching the Break the Fourth Wall video tonight. In a way that is the birth of the DT that exists today. It's nuts how energetic and locked in the band sounds on this. The View tour is excellent too, but this show was just next level. Anyone agree?

YES !!!!

Perfection ✨ And James was on fire 🔥🔥🔥

[tuto]

Damn...it's painful watching James' attempt to sing the "Try to push me round..." section. If he can't do it anymore (as it's obviously the case, and that's fine)  then they should just retire those types of songs from the set.

https://youtube.com/shorts/EuxBsqGveL0?feature=share

[DreamerTV]

Damn...it's painful watching James' attempt to sing the "Try to push me round..." section. If he can't do it anymore (as it's obviously the case, and that's fine)  then they should just retire those types of songs from the set.

https://youtube.com/shorts/EuxBsqGveL0?feature=share

He didn't attempt to sing it in as it was, he's intentionally changing melodies of sections he thinks is going to struggle with.
CIAW is the one he's changing the most, the thing is that some of those alternate melodies are a bit odd.

[Schurftkut]

i sent my father(not a fan) some videos of JLB in the 90s and some more recent stuff to prepare him for the vocals live, but during CIAW he asked me why the singer can't sing.. 

[Wim Kruithof]

It's not the high notes he's struggling with these days if you ask me, but it's the tempo. Fast lines like in Caught In a Web are difficult and then he can't spit out the words correctly, especially on the higher notes. But when the song is much slower, it isn't that much of a problem.

[EPIC Outro]

I would love to have a crack at reworking some of those vocal melodies for James. I was once in a band where our new singer was better at low, gravelly vocals than high stuff. So I reworked a bunch of older songs to suit him and he was much happier for it, and you could hear the comfort and confidence in his performance when the melodies were tailored to his actual abilities. It was a fun challenge.

[TheBarstoolWarrior]

It's not the high notes he's struggling with these days if you ask me, but it's the tempo. Fast lines like in Caught In a Web are difficult and then he can't spit out the words correctly, especially on the higher notes. But when the song is much slower, it isn't that much of a problem.

I actually agree with this. The high notes aren't especially problematic.

[Schurftkut]

he was singing off key plenty times. I've seen the cameo video of him singing Innocence Faded perfectly fine, but indeed slower. In the live environment they really have to rethink which songs they keep performing live for JLB to come out a bit better for his capabilities these days. Caught in a Web and Bridges were a step too high even with the changed melodies.

[gzarruk]

In the live environment they really have to rethink which songs they keep performing live for JLB to come out a bit better for his capabilities these days. Caught in a Web and Bridges were a step too high even with the changed melodies.

This is what I don't understand about their current setlists, they have such a big catalog, there's no need to play their most vocally challenging songs just because they're "classics". Play to your singer's strengths.

[TheBarstoolWarrior]

In the live environment they really have to rethink which songs they keep performing live for JLB to come out a bit better for his capabilities these days. Caught in a Web and Bridges were a step too high even with the changed melodies.

This is what I don't understand about their current setlists, they have such a big catalog, there's no need to play their most vocally challenging songs just because they're "classics". Play to your singer's strengths.

Fans want to hear the classics and they need to maximize attendance for the tour to pay off. Obviously the band is satisfied by the song performance, too.

[crystalstars17]

It's not the high notes he's struggling with these days if you ask me, but it's the tempo. Fast lines like in Caught In a Web are difficult and then he can't spit out the words correctly, especially on the higher notes. But when the song is much slower, it isn't that much of a problem.

I actually agree with this. The high notes aren't especially problematic.

Agreeing 💯 His is a light lyric tenor voice. Light lyric voices have all the bell-like ping and sparkle of coloratura voices, but unlike coloraturas they don't live and thrive in the utmost stratosphere. Light lyric voices "with extension" (which is what I'd call James) also have all the high notes, but their most comfortable tessitura is still that of a standard medium lyric voice, whereas a true coloratura voice can just live way up above the staff for days and never get tired (think Marc Hudson). James' best tessitura is more medium-high, with the ability to fling one up there now and again. As a light lyric soprano who tried to sing coloratura rep for years I know what it's like - the female equivalent would be Kathleen Battle vs Natalie Dessay. One is Pamina, while the other is Queen of the Night.

I think what James is doing now with the alternative melodies is just fine. It may be not what our ears are accustomed to, but if it's protecting the health and longevity of that stellar golden instrument, then I'm fine with it. 💖✨

[TheBarstoolWarrior]

It's not the high notes he's struggling with these days if you ask me, but it's the tempo. Fast lines like in Caught In a Web are difficult and then he can't spit out the words correctly, especially on the higher notes. But when the song is much slower, it isn't that much of a problem.

I actually agree with this. The high notes aren't especially problematic.

Agreeing 💯 His is a light lyric tenor voice. Light lyric voices have all the bell-like ping and sparkle of coloratura voices, but unlike coloraturas they don't live and thrive in the utmost stratosphere. Light lyric voices "with extension" (which is what I'd call James) also have all the high notes, but their most comfortable tessitura is still that of a standard medium lyric voice, whereas a true coloratura voice can just live way up above the staff for days and never get tired (think Marc Hudson). James' best tessitura is more medium-high, with the ability to fling one up there now and again. As a light lyric soprano who tried to sing coloratura rep for years I know what it's like - the female equivalent would be Kathleen Battle vs Natalie Dessay. One is Pamina, while the other is Queen of the Night.

I think what James is doing now with the alternative melodies is just fine. It may be not what our ears are accustomed to, but if it's protecting the health and longevity of that stellar golden instrument, then I'm fine with it. 💖✨

Sort of difficult to compare since we are talking about two totally different voices (a male vs. female), ranges, no? Not to mention 'coloratura' refers to a specific style and way of singing - for women exclusively - that has no similarities to the Prog Metal that DT is known for.

[crystalstars17]

Sort of difficult to compare since we are talking about two totally different voices (a male vs. female), ranges, no? Not to mention 'coloratura' refers to a specific style and way of singing - for women exclusively - that has no similarities to the Prog Metal that DT is known for.

There are coloratura tenors, they typically sing Handel and Rossini. Coloratura as a style is not exclusive to women, it's simply a voice with a lot of facility to sing fast passages. When you think of a "coloratura soprano" it's a woman who specializes in this repertoire as well as very high notes. How it relates to James' singing comes down to the fact that the human voice only works one way. Whether you're singing opera, Broadway, pop, jazz, or Prog metal, there's an optimal way that it works, across all styles. I think what we're hearing in the new clips reflects an awareness of what's best for his voice at this time.

*Adding that the reason I mentioned voice types is that voices who are born to sing coloratura can sing a lot higher for a lot longer because their voices are literally built differently from lyric voices. A lyric with high notes (whether soprano or tenor) is not the same as a voice that literally is built to switch over into head voice almost a third higher. What he's doing now by staying closer to middle voice is more appropriate for the health of his voice type. To your point, though, outside of classical the types within types are less important because they don't need to be heard over an orchestra. Still it explains why certain voices live more naturally in certain ranges even within a type.

[TheBarstoolWarrior]

Sort of difficult to compare since we are talking about two totally different voices (a male vs. female), ranges, no? Not to mention 'coloratura' refers to a specific style and way of singing - for women exclusively - that has no similarities to the Prog Metal that DT is known for.

There are coloratura tenors, they typically sing Handel and Rossini. Coloratura as a style is not exclusive to women, it's simply a voice with a lot of facility to sing fast passages. When you think of a "coloratura soprano" it's a woman who specializes in this repertoire as well as very high notes. How it relates to James' singing comes down to the fact that the human voice only works one way. Whether you're singing opera, Broadway, pop, jazz, or Prog metal, there's an optimal way that it works, across all styles. I think what we're hearing in the new clips reflects an awareness of what's best for his voice at this time.

*Adding that the reason I mentioned voice types is that voices who are born to sing coloratura can sing a lot higher for a lot longer because their voices are literally built differently from lyric voices. A lyric with high notes (whether soprano or tenor) is not the same as a voice that literally is built to switch over into head voice almost a third higher. What he's doing now by staying closer to middle voice is more appropriate for the health of his voice type. To your point, though, outside of classical the types within types are less important because they don't need to be heard over an orchestra. Still it explains why certain voices live more naturally in certain ranges even within a type.

Still not sure I get the coloratura reference to JLB and the style he's known for in Dream Theater, but I hope this provoked curiosity in someone to look up the term and maybe check out some coloratura musical passages on YouTube lol. It's pretty nuts what these singers do with their voices.

I have never once heard the term used in reference to a man or really anyone who wasn't a soprano singing a lead role in an opera - neither in class nor from other singers. But hey, I guess it makes sense given there is indeed a lot of ornamentation, fast passages, leaps etc required of male voices in Handel.

[EPIC Outro]

I learned a lot of words today. Should be a fun YouTube rabbit hole to go down when I get bored at work.

[TAC]

I learned a lot of words today.

[crystalstars17]

I learned a lot of words today. Should be a fun YouTube rabbit hole to go down when I get bored at work.

Enjoy that.

Maybe, summer tours only just started being announced recently, but are they even hinting at US tour dates coming soon?

This is what I'm waiting for too. I also hope we get the setlist that Europe is getting because Answering the Call is in it now.

This is what I don't understand about their current setlists, they have such a big catalog, there's no need to play their most vocally challenging songs just because they're "classics". Play to your singer's strengths.

There are many songs that could be considered classics that would be right in the zone for his voice now. Wither, Forsaken, These Walls, immediately come to mind.

[MirrorMask]

Where do I have to sign up for a show with Wither, Forsaken and These Walls? I must have heard only the latter, and only once.

[pg1067]

Where do I have to sign up for a show with Wither, Forsaken and These Walls? I must have heard only the latter, and only once.

All of those songs got some frequent play on European tour dates over the years, and Forsaken and TW were also played pretty extensively in the states.  Unfortunately, Wither was only played twice in the U.S.  It's very high on my list of songs I haven't seen live.

[crystalstars17]

Unfortunately, Wither was only played twice in the U.S.  It's very high on my list of songs I haven't seen live.

Same here. It's one of my favorites.

[pg1067]

Unfortunately, Wither was only played twice in the U.S.  It's very high on my list of songs I haven't seen live.

Same here. It's one of my favorites.

And my list of songs I haven't seen that I really want to see is pretty short:

- Light Fuse and Get Away
- Anna Lee
- SDOIT in its entirety (I've seen ATC, SS, ATCR and LT/GF)
- Wither
- Behind the Veil
- Surrender to Reason
- S2N
- Transcending Time

[EPIC Outro]

It would be great if they played the piano version of Wither from the EP

[nobloodyname]

So I, too, looked up coloratura and came across this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wg_wzbpgp8k Oh my days... what a voice.

[TheBarstoolWarrior]

So I, too, looked up coloratura and came across this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wg_wzbpgp8k Oh my days... what a voice.

very cool stuff. Here's a coloratura example from an actual piece of music:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9CzZjIK6iA

[Mullmuzzler]

Saw the group in Belfast last April - great show!

Heading over from the 'Emerald Isle' on Saturday for the Birmingham gig.

Will probably incur wrath here for this but, I would love to hear 'Power Down'
and 'Astonishing' as the final toons of the night/encore.

Hoping I might pick up a European tour poster this time instead of an American
one, which is what I was sold in Belfast(!), but didn't spot until I opened it the
next day - D'OH!

\m/

[Architeuthis]

Will probably incur wrath here for this but, I would love to hear 'Power Down'
and 'Astonishing' as the final toons of the night/encore.


\m/

I just listened to Disc 2 of TA while driving after work.  I would love to hear those songs live again! 

[Dani Helios]

Saw the group in Belfast last April - great show!

Heading over from the 'Emerald Isle' on Saturday for the Birmingham gig.

Will probably incur wrath here for this but, I would love to hear 'Power Down'
and 'Astonishing' as the final toons of the night/encore.

Hoping I might pick up a European tour poster this time instead of an American
one, which is what I was sold in Belfast(!), but didn't spot until I opened it the
next day - D'OH!

\m/

I had this happen as well. Thought it might have been an error with my specific poster and everyone else got an EU one... certainly an odd decision

[Mullmuzzler]

Saw the group in Belfast last April - great show!

Heading over from the 'Emerald Isle' on Saturday for the Birmingham gig.

Will probably incur wrath here for this but, I would love to hear 'Power Down'
and 'Astonishing' as the final toons of the night/encore.

Hoping I might pick up a European tour poster this time instead of an American
one, which is what I was sold in Belfast(!), but didn't spot until I opened it the
next day - D'OH!

\m/

I had this happen as well. Thought it might have been an error with my specific poster and everyone else got an EU one... certainly an odd decision

Sorry to read that 'James Mypetgiress'.

It was suggested to me by a prominent member on this Forum that these USA
posters were leftovers - they certainly weren't the ones advertised behind the
merchandise counter in Belfast, and I particularly wanted the Belfast version as
it's only 45 miles up the road from home (it was also DT's first time playing here).

Very disappointing.

\m/

[TAC]

If US dates aren't until the fall, and the band isn't going into the studio until early 2024, that means 3 years between albums.. 

[Logain Ablar]

It was suggested to me by a prominent member on this Forum that these USA
posters were leftovers - they certainly weren't the ones advertised behind the
merchandise counter in Belfast, and I particularly wanted the Belfast version as
it's only 45 miles up the road from home (it was also DT's first time playing here).

Very disappointing.

\m/

I was at the Belfast show (only 12 miles away for me). It was great to see them on home turf, but tbh I don't think the sectioned off arena really suits them for a venue. I'm heading to Glasgow on Sun to see them there in the Armadillo. IMO the theatre (!) style venue creates a far better vibe.

I didn't get a poster back last year, but the merch counter was pretty sparse. They had no M T-shirts, so I had to get an L, and I'm doing my best to fit into it! 

The T-shirt definitely did have the right European tour dates on it though..

[TheBarstoolWarrior]

Is it possible that there actually is not a US 2nd leg at all?

[TAC]

Is it possible that there actually is not a US 2nd leg at all?

A 2nd US leg in the fall is literally TWO years since the release of the album. The first leg was a year ago.

I'm kind of confused, honestly.

[jonny108]

Going to the Manchester show tomorrow (or tonight rather). Quite enjoying the setlist actually! Anyone else going tomorrow? Beer?!

Last show I saw was the Distant Memories concert in London so rather looking forward to it.

[cramx3]

Is it possible that there actually is not a US 2nd leg at all?

A 2nd US leg in the fall is literally TWO years since the release of the album. The first leg was a year ago.

I'm kind of confused, honestly.

I don't really see the confusion?