Top Of The World Tour 2023

[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.

I don't really see the confusion?

Because I don't understand why there'd be so much time between legs. I feel like at least one person really doesn't want to tour.

[countoftuscany42]

Considering that touring has been a shitshow the last few years, that seems like a stretch to infer in an abnormal situation from how we're used to them touring, since they've had a pretty consistent schedule over the years.

And there's JPs solo tour taking time away from when DT could have been touring

[Mladen]

They toured US in early 2022, then moved on to Europe right away, spent a part of summer touring South America, and then took a break (except for JP, who did his solo tour). Then they kicked of 2023 with the second European leg, after which they're headed to Japan. We assume that there will be other Asian or Australian tour dates before they hit the US again.

I don't see much of an issue here. The order in which they tour the continents isn't a big deal, they might as well flip the coin on that. It would also be a financially smart thing to do, stretch out the time between tour legs, so that they don't come back too soon. That sometimes makes for a better attendance.

I also don't mind that they filled out two entire years playing gigs, since they had two entire years of not doing that. They might as well make as much money as possible touring before they return to the studio to make a new album. A new album makes them less money than touring, obviously. Lets not forget AVFTTOTW didn't even make Billboard top 50.

[hefdaddy42]

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?

Because I don't understand why there'd be so much time between legs. I feel like at least one person really doesn't want to tour.

That's an interesting conclusion.  How did you arrive there?

[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.

I don't really see the confusion?

Because I don't understand why there'd be so much time between legs. I feel like at least one person really doesn't want to tour.

That's an interesting conclusion.  How did you arrive there?

I made it up, but I am confused by the touring schedule for this album cycle.
Right now they only have a handful of dates announced/ on sale.

Most tour dates are released many months in advance. There's just something odd about this. I feel like the promoters are cooling down or someone maybe doesn't want to be out on the road. Who knows, really.

All I know is that this tour cycle appears to be odd.

[hefdaddy42]

If I had to guess, it would be that EVERYONE is out on the road right now, so a band like DT probably has to pick their spots.

If it was just that someone didn't want to be on the road, they wouldn't be in Europe right now, I wouldn't think.

[pg1067]

View Tour
- Leg 1:  32 U.S. dates between February 2 and March 21, 2022
- Leg 2:  29 European dates between April 20 and June 1, 2022
- Leg 3:  One date each in Indonesia and Japan in mid-August and 4 South American dates between August 31 and September 10, 2022
Break for JP solo stuff and holidays
- Leg 5:  21 European (plus Israel) dates between January 14 and February 21, 2023
- Leg 6:  3 Japanese dates from April 30 to May 2, 2023 (more to be added?)


DOT/SFAM 20th Anniversary Tour
- Leg 1:  28 U.S. (plus Mexico) dates between March 20 and May 4, 2019
- Leg 2:  34 European (plus Israel) dates between June 7 and  July 26, 2019
- Leg 3:  30 U.S./Canada dates between September 26 and November 11, 2019
- Leg 4:  7 South American dates between December 4-15, 2019
- Leg 5:  29 European dates between January 11 and February 23, 2020


They don't look all that dissimilar to me, except that the second North American leg is (presumably) getting pushed to the end this time.  It's been their pattern for a while to do about 6-9 weeks and then break for a month or more.  The biggest difference this time is that it's fewer shows over a slightly longer period of time, but that's because of the extended break at the end of 2022.

TA was released on January 26, 2016.  DOT was released on February 22, 2019 (about 37 months later).  View was released on October 22, 2021 (about 32 months later).  Wouldn't surprise me if we see DT16 around June 2024, which would be 32 months after View.  And, keep in mind that the gap between DOT and View probably would have been longer but for the cancelation of the additional touring that was planned after the Euro dates in 2020.

[cramx3]

I just don't see a single thing odd about their touring schedule

If anything, the guys are getting older and would want to spread the tours out a little more?

Their schedule seems pretty similar to other world touring bands on a new album.  2 Euro tours, 2 US tours, South America leg and small asian leg (maybe). About two years on the road with nice breaks between the legs. Pretty typical.

[Mullmuzzler]

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..

Ha! ... you must be from somewhere around Hillsborough-ish?

Yes, my tee had the desired (correct!) dates as well. Had I known that the poster
I landed home with was the American version, I would have bought the European
one too!

We saw DT in the Armadillo back in 2012 - very 'civilised' type of venue. Probably
would have gone there this time too only the date didn't suit, still, really looking
forward to 'Brum' as we haven't been to the Symphony Hall before, and it looks
very interesting (hopefully take in a good Balti too!).

I think I preferred the Belfast set as '6:00' is one of the very few DT songs I can
live without, and 'Answering The Call' is my least-preferred track on 'AVFTTOTW';
have seen (and loved!) 'ACOT' a few times now and, like someone mentioned a
while back, maybe 'The Glass Prison' (and/or 'AROP' anyone?) shoehorned in, or
something from 'TOT' again, and the truly excellent 'AVFTTOTW' title track as the
encore ... I know, 'Never Enough'!

Anyway(s), enjoy 'Glasgie' on Sunday night Logain Ablar, my fellow countryman,
as we intend to enjoy 'Brum' tomorrow night!

TTFN.

\m/


P.S. Is 'The Alien' now a prophetic toon?!

[Mullmuzzler]

'jonny108' - what was the Manchester show like?

Who was the Support?

Thanks.

\m/

[Mullmuzzler]

What have the ticket prices been like outside the U.K.?

Our tickets in Birmingham are almost twice the price of last year's show in
Belfast! Good seats near the front, but three figures Sterling for the privilege!

\m/

[Peter Mc]

Support at Manchester was from Arion.  Got there too late to see them but wasn't bothered about seeing them anyway to be honest.

Not sure whether it was just me but the sound was awful all night and I was sat right in front of the mixing desk.  Mangini's drums (and kick drum in particular) were so loud, it just drowned everything else out.  Couldn't hear the nuance or melody of the songs which was really disappointing.  On the plus side, it seemed like Petrucci was actually doing proper backing vocals instead of them being piped in which I liked.  Couldn't really tell how good or bad JLB was as you could hardly hear him over the sound of the drums.  He sounded ok in the quieter moments though.  He seemed pretty lethargic in terms of his movement on stage though.

Overall a disappointing show due to sound issues.

[eddyrox]

Considering that touring has been a shitshow the last few years, that seems like a stretch to infer in an abnormal situation from how we're used to them touring, since they've had a pretty consistent schedule over the years.

And there's JPs solo tour taking time away from when DT could have been touring

the Terminal Velocity tour was awesome. Do you guys think that DT may be slowing down after this tour? taking a break? (not like they really ever have) but LTE3, TV and AVFtTotW all issued in such tight succession...

[EPIC Outro]

I don't see them taking a break until after their 40th anniversary tour.

[TAC]

And there's JPs solo tour taking time away from when DT could have been touring

Except that it didn't. JP said his solo tour was scheduled during a window between DT legs.

[jimgolf]

https://youtu.be/yN1kcbZlXSA

Man I feel for James - he's having a tough time with some of these songs. I know there's an inclination to want to play the classics like Pull Me Under/Caught in a Web/Grand finale, but it's just too much to ask from him at this point in his career. It's probably too difficult in the middle of a tour to swap out for another song like On the Backs of Angels, but they should at least downtune the song.

[Peter1960]

Went to the show in Birmingham last night. A few comments :

It only took about 20 mins to get out of the car park last night – it took 2 hours 30 mins to get out of the car park at the Wembley gig last year !  As a result, I was back home (Bristol) in about 2 hours after the show.

Enjoyed the new setlist and liked JP's backing vocals.

The band, as always, were on top form; however, JLB's vocals were pretty awful in some songs (see previous clip of PMU). Someone earlier in this thread said they go to see the whole band when they play live and can almost "forgive" JLB's singing. I agree with this but I can also understand that his singing could put some people off going to see the band again, and therefore they are now lost as paying customers. Unless they start to see a significant reduction in the number of tickets sold for tours, the rest of the band will probably not see this as a major issue.

At the very end of The Count (the encore), JP played the riff from "Black Sabbath".

JLB also paid tribute to Sabbath whilst acknowledging that they were playing in their hometown; however, he failed to mention Judas Priest, who, for me, are a superior band to Sabbath.

A word about the support band (Arion) – I didn't like them. Power metal isn't really my thing and their sound wasn't great.

All in all it was a great night and a much better experience than Wembley last year ! Those that were there will know what I am talking about......

[jimgolf]

I just want to clarify so it doesn't come off that I am bashing James. I think James is a great vocalist, and he still gives an incredible studio performance. But just like most older male singers, the high notes they sang when they were in their 20s/30s are more difficult.

A good example would be Celebration Day by Led Zeppelin. Some of the songs Plant sang were in the normal key because they were already in a comfortable range for him, and others were downtuned. He sounded awesome. If he tried to sing Communication Breakdown in the original key it would have been a disaster - does that make him a bad singer? No. Just a singer with limitations.

I think with careful consideration of the setlist(an instrumental break, downtuning a classic, cutting out small sections of songs like they did with Voices/Take the Time in 2007, making the set full of songs in James' comfortable range) it would still make for a great show and the fans would be understanding and supportive of the decision. The band is still at the top of their game, and I would really like to see James right up there with them.

[Logain Ablar]

Aye, that video is rough enough, but at this point I think most folks know what to expect.

I'm en route to Glasgow for the show tonight. I'm conscious that this will be the 3rd show I'm a row, so I'm sure there will be a bit of extra fatigue.

Doesn't matter though, I will take it for what it is. It's still an enjoyable experience seeing the guys, even if they're not at 100%

[DreamerTV]

https://youtu.be/yN1kcbZlXSA

Man I feel for James - he's having a tough time with some of these songs. I know there's an inclination to want to play the classics like Pull Me Under/Caught in a Web/Grand finale, but it's just too much to ask from him at this point in his career. It's probably too difficult in the middle of a tour to swap out for another song like On the Backs of Angels, but they should at least downtune the song.

At 6'20'', after JP solo and right before starting singing again, he points at his throats, shakes his head while looking up at the ceiling.
Having worked with athletes going through though moments, I really feel sorry for the guy and hope the band will sort this out so to put him in a less frustrating position (I still think the more acceptable option would be to bring in a second singer).

[The Curious Orange]

I was at Birmingham last night and really enjoyed it. James was a lot better than he was at Hammersmith back in 2020, and the best I've seen him in a long time, but he's still struggling. I noticed that they had chosen a set list of songs he can still have a bash at singing, with quite long instrumental parts. I also thought stuff like 6:00 had been down-tuned to accommodate him.

Great venue, the sound in the circle was the best I've heard from DT but they still play WAAAAY too loud. Had a nightmare journey to the place, though. That A38 Aston Expressway is one of the scariest roads I've ever driven on!

Very sparse stage set, and where was the rest of Mangini's drumkit?

Great show, despite the rather odd set list. Stuff like Caught In A Web and Pull Me Under were definitely needed to inject a little energy into a set of longer, heavier songs. They really should have played something a bit more melodic in the middle of that. Highlights were Sleeping Giant - what a fun song, and Petrucci's guitar tone almost destroyed the building, the fillings were rattling in my teeth! - Pull Me Under - I've never seen that much energy in the room at a DT seated gig - and Count of Tuscany with it's beautiful When You Wish Upon A Star interpolation.

Man of the match: JP this time, for the reasons outlined above.

Lots of empty seats in the venue though.

[nobloodyname]

Lots of empty seats in the venue though.

Once upon a time, I'd have been there. I only live 40 minutes away. Used to love seeing DT as much as I possibly could, whether in New York, Rome or driving 300 miles to Glasgow. But what with James' struggles and the increasing sterility of their performances, I'm just not prepared to pay the money now.

[TheBarstoolWarrior]

I really don't understand why people are blaming the band for JLB's live struggles. Putting PMU on the shelf forever is a non-starter - that should be obvious. Apparently, the band is already accommodating JLB by tuning down a half step for that song. Some are acting as though everyone else is somehow unknowingly sabotaging him by selecting tunes that he could never execute. It's ridiculous and obviously he thinks he can sing the songs. I guess if the band thought he was struggling - something we have no indication of - they could just add an instrumental track, but the View tour's song selection is already skewed towards longer tunes with more instrumental passages including songs whose melodies JLB himself wrote a mere 2 years ago. This is just where he is right now in his career and song selection is not the issue. I am not sure why one would think that OTBOA is somehow going to be a totally different story (by the way, I don't think that song is much easier than any other in the DT catalogue).

[crystalstars17]

(I still think the more acceptable option would be to bring in a second singer).

Um, No.

Honestly who else could share the stage with him, without making a fool of himself? Nobody else could match that sound, much less try to emulate it.

[Logain Ablar]

Just out of the Glasgow show. Some initial impressions:

Arion - I really enjoyed these guys, a lot more than I was expecting to. It's pretty much catchy powermetal with elements of Nightwish/Helloween. The guitarist is outstanding. They were handing out branded beer mats to folks in the lobby, and I got the chance to briefly tell the singer how I thought they were good.

Sound - I thought the sound was pretty bad for the first few songs. JP's guitar was way too loud and drowned out everything else. It did slowly improve throughout the show, but I thought we were losing a lot of the details of MM's kit for nearly every song.

Set list - I really liked the changes from the first leg. It made it worthwhile making the trip. I think the Six Degrees songs were my favourites, but also Sleeping Giant and ATC were great additions. Caught In A Web was fine - not super keen on the album version anyway, so wasn't too bothered. I absolutely love Solitary Shell, and it went over well.

Crowd - a lot of empty seats, unfortunately. I couldn't see upstairs, but downstairs was maybe 2/3rds full? James made a comment "Where's all your friends?", which made me feel bad for the band. Not sure what the issue is, maybe high ticket prices, or oversaturation of touring? I can imagine a lot of fans may have seen them last year on the last leg, and just skipped this one.

Crowd #2 - it's maybe that UK crowds are naturally reserved, but it was frustrating to watch the lack of interaction. It was only at the end of Count that people got to their feet and were swaying and singing along. I mean, I'm a naturally shy and introverted person in real life, but music is where I can let myself go a little. Just wish others felt that freedom too, and the band may appreciate the extra energy and feedback.

DT - I thought the guys were great. JP's backing vocals definitely enhance the live experience. MM is a lot of fun to watch live, but I just wish we got to hear the kit more clearly. Jordan kept his coat on until the very last song - I thought he maybe wasn't staying or something  . JMX is a machine as usual. James was pretty good I thought, all things considered. Though I will say this - he quite often takes liberties with the notes, and for some of the high ones, goes deliberately for a higher note than the original, or extends it way too long. I think if he kept it simple it might be better.

Oh, there was a sneaky snippet of Glasgow Kiss at the very end, which was cool.

All in all, I really enjoyed it and I'm glad I made the trip.

[krands85]

Crowd - a lot of empty seats, unfortunately. I couldn't see upstairs, but downstairs was maybe 2/3rds full? James made a comment "Where's all your friends?", which made me feel bad for the band. Not sure what the issue is, maybe high ticket prices, or oversaturation of touring? I can imagine a lot of fans may have seen them last year on the last leg, and just skipped this one.

That's mainly why I didn't go. I would have probably shelled out if I liked the setlist better and I definitely would have if they'd pulled Octavarium out of cold storage. I find it a bit strange that they're playing two epics in the same set and neither of them are one of their biggest fan favourites, which hasn't been played for 17 years. The Alien and AVFTTOTW would have been cool, but of the 2 or 3 others in the set that rank highly for me, I've seen them before, so they don't have quite the same pull.

Glad you enjoyed yourself though 

[TheBarstoolWarrior]

how much were the tickets where you guys live?

[Dream Team]

Yeah I think the reasons for small crowds have been covered - prices way too high, shitty sound, naff vocals, and set lists not to everyone's liking. It's a shame, but there you have it. Of the above, the sound is my biggest issue.

[Logain Ablar]

how much were the tickets where you guys live?

Mine was £84 / $101, and my seat was Row U, so like 20 rows from the front.

Also factor in a flight and hotel stay on top of that, and it all adds up pretty quickly.

[The Curious Orange]

JCrowd #2 - it's maybe that UK crowds are naturally reserved, but it was frustrating to watch the lack of interaction. It was only at the end of Count that people got to their feet and were swaying and singing along. I mean, I'm a naturally shy and introverted person in real life, but music is where I can let myself go a little. Just wish others felt that freedom too, and the band may appreciate the extra energy and feedback.

It's a side-effect of playing all-seater venues. Metal gigs should be standing room downstairs, that would bring the energy back. i think it's a UK/US thing, as US fans seem to be more OK with the notion of seating.

I find it a bit strange that they're playing two epics in the same set and neither of them are one of their biggest fan favourites, which hasn't been played for 17 years. The Alien and AVFTTOTW would have been cool, but of the 2 or 3 others in the set that rank highly for me, I've seen them before, so they don't have quite the same pull.

Personally, I love The Count of Tuscany, it's one of my all time favourite DT songs and a huge part of the reason why I went to see this, I'd much rather see that than Octavarium or Change of Seasons. But we all like different things...

[ReaperKK]

Yeah I think the reasons for small crowds have been covered - prices way too high, shitty sound, naff vocals, and set lists not to everyone's liking. It's a shame, but there you have it. Of the above, the sound is my biggest issue.

Does anyone really pass on the show solely because of James' voice?

[TheBarstoolWarrior]

how much were the tickets where you guys live?

Mine was £84 / $101, and my seat was Row U, so like 20 rows from the front.

Also factor in a flight and hotel stay on top of that, and it all adds up pretty quickly.

The ticket price alone isn't terrible but with flight and hotel, I see what you mean. Throw in a couple beers and it's $20 more.

[gborland]

Just out of the Glasgow show. Some initial impressions:

Crowd #2 - it's maybe that UK crowds are naturally reserved, but it was frustrating to watch the lack of interaction. It was only at the end of Count that people got to their feet and were swaying and singing along. I mean, I'm a naturally shy and introverted person in real life, but music is where I can let myself go a little. Just wish others felt that freedom too, and the band may appreciate the extra energy and feedback.

Completely agree, it's a terrible venue for metal gigs. They've played the same venue (the Armadillo) on previous tours, and in the past if people have tried to stand up and rock out, they've been pounced on by security and made to sit down again.

Last night's gig could have been a thousand times better if they'd played the Barrowlands or Academy instead (and would have felt less empty)!

[Logain Ablar]

I wonder how much input the band has into the choice of venue? You'd think that there would be some sort of post-mortem after each gig, and if the band thought the crowd wasn't engaged, or the venue didn't have the right vibe, then they'd note it for the next time around.

Obviously that's over simplistic, and it most likely comes down to cost, availability, etc. Still, would be interesting to hear what the band thinks of the various places they play in, and the crowd reaction etc.

[Ben_Jamin]

I wonder how much input the band has into the choice of venue? You'd think that there would be some sort of post-mortem after each gig, and if the band thought the crowd wasn't engaged, or the venue didn't have the right vibe, then they'd note it for the next time around.

Obviously that's over simplistic, and it most likely comes down to cost, availability, etc. Still, would be interesting to hear what the band thinks of the various places they play in, and the crowd reaction etc.

There's also Stage Size to consider. With their production, they need a stage that can handle it. It's why their show was cancelled because the Stage couldn't handle their production and it was best to cancel, or else they'd be risking their safety.