DreamSonic 2023

[cramx3]

I also don't expect a ton of different songs, but they are billing it as a yearly festival and a night of "history-making" music, so I hope that it's more surprising than expected.

There's a lot of people getting too worked up over the "festival" billing of this tour.  There's nothing that I can tell, and maybe I am wrong or that changes, that shows anything other than a 3 band tour and not really a festival.  "History-making" means absolutely nothing if they aren't marketing the exact thing that makes it history making.  This post is "history-making" technically.

I think they are only advertising it as a festival so they can continue using the "dreamsonic" name for future similar tours.  To me, it's similar to Slipknot's Knotfest Roadshow tours where they use that same name and every summer tour of the US just has different openers for Slipknot.  Or as DT has done before, the ProgNation tour. 

[Ben_Jamin]

I would absolutely love it if the band treated this "Festival" as something separate from their AVFTTOTW branded tour, thus giving them a reason to make an entirely different set. From what we've seen so far, they've been playing mostly past songs that Mangini has played before, and adding in like 1 or 2 songs he hasn't played live yet. If you ask me, this would be a perfect moment for them to finally bust out Octavarium.

Yeah, no. That would be the worst time, because I'd imagine this tour is only for North America (they already hit Europe twice on the current album-tour cycle) and you can be sure the fanbase around the world will want to experience it too. Never mind the fact that it will eat up a lot of the setlist, and they'll need the proper amount of time to rehearse it.

Now, will it be resurrected in the future? I'm almost 100% positive it will. I wouldn't be surprised to see it for the next album-tour cycle. But to believe it would be good to bring it back for a tour where they're (likely) to play an abbreviated set doesn't make sense.

Yeah, I see your point.

I think they are only advertising it as a festival so they can continue using the "dreamsonic" name for future similar tours.  To me, it's similar to Slipknot's Knotfest Roadshow tours where they use that same name and every summer tour of the US just has different openers for Slipknot.  Or as DT has done before, the ProgNation tour.

I thought the exact same thing. It is very similar to the Knotfest Tours. The thing with Knotfest though was they made it worth the money for VIP, they included an entire mobile museum with memorabilia from their entire career. I went with my cousin and it was pretty neat being able to see how much stuff they had.

[Awaken]

I also don't expect a ton of different songs, but they are billing it as a yearly festival and a night of "history-making" music, so I hope that it's more surprising than expected.

There's a lot of people getting too worked up over the "festival" billing of this tour.  There's nothing that I can tell, and maybe I am wrong or that changes, that shows anything other than a 3 band tour and not really a festival.  "History-making" means absolutely nothing if they aren't marketing the exact thing that makes it history making.  This post is "history-making" technically.

I think they are only advertising it as a festival so they can continue using the "dreamsonic" name for future similar tours.  To me, it's similar to Slipknot's Knotfest Roadshow tours where they use that same name and every summer tour of the US just has different openers for Slipknot.  Or as DT has done before, the ProgNation tour.

I hope you're wrong, but think you're spot on. 

[KevShmev]

Given that DT has a history of playing their more accessible songs when they are playing to fans who may not know them well (which can be said for some AAL and Devin fans going), it will be entertaining to see heads explode in this thread when Pull Me Under, The Spirit Carries On and/or As I Am are on the set list.

[Ben_Jamin]

I know I usually get too excited and start conjuring up different scenarios in my mind about setlist predictions. While I have what I want the setlist to sort of be close to, I know darn well it most likely will just be the close to the same setlist for the AVFTTOTW tour.

Here's what I wouldn't mind the setlist being if they did not play any 15min+ songs...

The Alien
The Enemy Inside
A Fortune In Lies
Moment of Betrayal
On The Backs of Angels
Paralyzed
Answering The Call
A Savior In The Square/When Your Time Has Come
Transcending Time
Chosen
Stream of Consciousness
Breaking All Illusions
At Wit's End

[cramx3]

Given that DT has a history of playing their more accessible songs when they are playing to fans who may not know them well (which can be said for some AAL and Devin fans going), it will be entertaining to see heads explode in this thread when Pull Me Under, The Spirit Carries On and/or As I Am are on the set list.

I was thinking this myself.  I'd bet PMU stays in the set.  It wasn't on the first US leg and it's their hit. 

[hunnus2000]

Looking to get tickets to Iowa but the wife has a bum knee. 

I'm not sure I am going to take AAL very well.

[Kram]

Given that DT has a history of playing their more accessible songs when they are playing to fans who may not know them well (which can be said for some AAL and Devin fans going), it will be entertaining to see heads explode in this thread when Pull Me Under, The Spirit Carries On and/or As I Am are on the set list.

LOL.... so true

[Stadler]

Given that DT has a history of playing their more accessible songs when they are playing to fans who may not know them well (which can be said for some AAL and Devin fans going), it will be entertaining to see heads explode in this thread when Pull Me Under, The Spirit Carries On and/or As I Am are on the set list.

I was thinking this myself.  I'd bet PMU stays in the set.  It wasn't on the first US leg and it's their hit.

I have to go back and check; now that I think about it, I'm not sure I've ever seen them play Pull Me Under live.  And it IS a favorite of mine...

Are you going to any of these shows, Marc?

[goo-goo]

Looking to get tickets to Iowa but the wife has a bum knee. 

I'm not sure I am going to take AAL very well.

Their newest album is pretty accessible compared to their previous ones. If there is one AAL album to give a chance, it's this one.

[Laughingplace56]

I also don't expect a ton of different songs, but they are billing it as a yearly festival and a night of "history-making" music, so I hope that it's more surprising than expected.

There's a lot of people getting too worked up over the "festival" billing of this tour.  There's nothing that I can tell, and maybe I am wrong or that changes, that shows anything other than a 3 band tour and not really a festival.  "History-making" means absolutely nothing if they aren't marketing the exact thing that makes it history making.  This post is "history-making" technically.

I think they are only advertising it as a festival so they can continue using the "dreamsonic" name for future similar tours.  To me, it's similar to Slipknot's Knotfest Roadshow tours where they use that same name and every summer tour of the US just has different openers for Slipknot.  Or as DT has done before, the ProgNation tour.

That's exactly how I feel as well, that's why I said I *hoped* it would be more surprising, but it's not likely. Especially since there's only like a month between the end of their final Top of the World leg and that start of this one, and they don't seem to do many changes to the set when there's that little of time in between tours.

[ReaperKK]

I know I'm the minority on this forum but I really hope that AAL gets at least a time slot as long as Devin.

I listened to both AAL and Devin for the first time yesterday. My Sunday job affords me the ability to play music all day, so I listened to about 6 hours of music between the two. I was genuinely impressed with AAL. If they can play live as good as they do in studio, I'd take no issues with them being on stage a bit longer.

Devin blew me away too. He's got some vocals that make a few of the songs I listened to not my cup of tea, but I'm still really looking forward to seeing him live too. There was one in particular I really liked - Spirits Will Collide. I hope we get to hear that one. What a banger.

Oh they fucking can, those guys are crazy live. TOoth and Claw: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-DzKjuYh5ZM

Matt Gartska posted a full drum cam video of a show last year and it's truly insane: https://youtu.be/FKHHPHoLXyA

[cramx3]

Given that DT has a history of playing their more accessible songs when they are playing to fans who may not know them well (which can be said for some AAL and Devin fans going), it will be entertaining to see heads explode in this thread when Pull Me Under, The Spirit Carries On and/or As I Am are on the set list.

I was thinking this myself.  I'd bet PMU stays in the set.  It wasn't on the first US leg and it's their hit.

I have to go back and check; now that I think about it, I'm not sure I've ever seen them play Pull Me Under live.  And it IS a favorite of mine...

Are you going to any of these shows, Marc?

I haven't bought tickets, but at this time I'm just doing NYC.  I'm looking to do a different weekend trip after NYC so that puts CT/Philly/Boston in conflict. Usually I'd only care to go once for the second leg anyway, but if I didn't already have plans with my gf (we both want to go to Red Rocks in Colorado that weekend for two concerts, Dirty Heads and 311, but we haven't booked yet) I'd be open to going to more shows because I like this touring line up a lot. We will see, if I do go to CT (I assume that's where you'll be) I'll let you know.

[Stadler]

Given that DT has a history of playing their more accessible songs when they are playing to fans who may not know them well (which can be said for some AAL and Devin fans going), it will be entertaining to see heads explode in this thread when Pull Me Under, The Spirit Carries On and/or As I Am are on the set list.

I was thinking this myself.  I'd bet PMU stays in the set.  It wasn't on the first US leg and it's their hit.

I have to go back and check; now that I think about it, I'm not sure I've ever seen them play Pull Me Under live.  And it IS a favorite of mine...

Are you going to any of these shows, Marc?

I haven't bought tickets, but at this time I'm just doing NYC.  I'm looking to do a different weekend trip after NYC so that puts CT/Philly/Boston in conflict. Usually I'd only care to go once for the second leg anyway, but if I didn't already have plans with my gf (we both want to go to Red Rocks in Colorado that weekend for two concerts, Dirty Heads and 311, but we haven't booked yet) I'd be open to going to more shows because I like this touring line up a lot. We will see, if I do go to CT (I assume that's where you'll be) I'll let you know.

Sounds like an awesome trip!!!

Yeah, I'll be in Bridgeport; just dawned on me that that's a different arena for them in CT.  They've played Wallingford for years and years each tour.

[Chino]

Given that DT has a history of playing their more accessible songs when they are playing to fans who may not know them well (which can be said for some AAL and Devin fans going), it will be entertaining to see heads explode in this thread when Pull Me Under, The Spirit Carries On and/or As I Am are on the set list.

I was thinking this myself.  I'd bet PMU stays in the set.  It wasn't on the first US leg and it's their hit.

I have to go back and check; now that I think about it, I'm not sure I've ever seen them play Pull Me Under live.  And it IS a favorite of mine...

Are you going to any of these shows, Marc?

I haven't bought tickets, but at this time I'm just doing NYC.  I'm looking to do a different weekend trip after NYC so that puts CT/Philly/Boston in conflict. Usually I'd only care to go once for the second leg anyway, but if I didn't already have plans with my gf (we both want to go to Red Rocks in Colorado that weekend for two concerts, Dirty Heads and 311, but we haven't booked yet) I'd be open to going to more shows because I like this touring line up a lot. We will see, if I do go to CT (I assume that's where you'll be) I'll let you know.

Sounds like an awesome trip!!!

Yeah, I'll be in Bridgeport; just dawned on me that that's a different arena for them in CT.  They've played Wallingford for years and years each tour.

I've been listening since 2004, and I don't think I've seen them play anywhere that wasn't the Oakdale since the tour with YES, whenever that was. That show was at The Meadows.   

I'm really looking forward to seeing them elsewhere.

[cramx3]

Maybe this tour/festival is under a different promoter?  The NYC venue is not their usual as well.

[Ben_Jamin]

Maybe this tour/festival is under a different promoter?  The NYC venue is not their usual as well.

Hence why it's labelled as a Festival and not a Dream Theater album tour?

[hefdaddy42]

Maybe this tour/festival is under a different promoter?  The NYC venue is not their usual as well.

Not to mention the fact that the North Carolina venue is nonexistant.

[Chino]

Maybe this tour/festival is under a different promoter?  The NYC venue is not their usual as well.

Is the NYC venue outdoor?

I'm wondering if that's where the "festival" element is coming from.

[TAC]

They're playing the same venue in Boston that they always play in the summer.

[cramx3]

Maybe this tour/festival is under a different promoter?  The NYC venue is not their usual as well.

Is the NYC venue outdoor?

I'm wondering if that's where the "festival" element is coming from.

No to the NYC question.  It's the theater within Madison Square Garden.  It's about twice the size of Beacon Theatre where they often play in NYC at over 5k capacity (although the last sections aren't being sold so it'll be considerably less, maybe 4k?). 

I figured the change would be for shooting for bigger theaters since it seems the promoter expects a bigger turn out than just DT alone (that makes some sense). But for the Oakdale, that previously had the back sections curtained off so I'd guess they could have still played it but opened up the place fully?  Just guessing here. It's still livenation ticketing though.

[Chino]

Maybe this tour/festival is under a different promoter?  The NYC venue is not their usual as well.

Is the NYC venue outdoor?

I'm wondering if that's where the "festival" element is coming from.

No to the NYC question.  It's the theater within Madison Square Garden.  It's about twice the size of Beacon Theatre where they often play in NYC at over 5k capacity (although the last sections aren't being sold so it'll be considerably less, maybe 4k?). 

I figured the change would be for shooting for bigger theaters since it seems the promoter expects a bigger turn out than just DT alone (that makes some sense). But for the Oakdale, that previously had the back sections curtained off so I'd guess they could have still played it but opened up the place fully?  Just guessing here. It's still livenation ticketing though.

I think you're referring to the Oakdale's "wings" on both sides of the main floor. Those are always closed when DT plays. There's a balcony as well they they've never opened up for DT either. I'd say at least 25% of that venue is closed off when DT plays.   

I have no idea how contracting works with venues these days. There's already a show on the 30th at the Oakdale (former members of Chicago and E,W,&F). Maybe it was just a matter of venue availability in that date range.

[Stadler]

I'm not saying anyone is right or wrong here, but speaking just for CT, I can't imagine they're moving on from the Oakdale because they need a larger venue just because they added AAL and DT.  Look, I'm as big a fan of Devin as anyone, but I would be stunned beyond words if he played Connecticut and it was anything bigger than Toad's Place (700 people).  There might be other things going on, and I'm pretty thrilled that there is something different happening, but this isn't, I don't think, about "butts in seats".

[cramx3]

I'm not saying anyone is right or wrong here, but speaking just for CT, I can't imagine they're moving on from the Oakdale because they need a larger venue just because they added AAL and DT.  Look, I'm as big a fan of Devin as anyone, but I would be stunned beyond words if he played Connecticut and it was anything bigger than Toad's Place (700 people).  There might be other things going on, and I'm pretty thrilled that there is something different happening.

I wonder this myself.  I think Devin plays in 500-1k capacity venues in the US.  I'm guessing AAL are similar.  It's like the promoter said, DT draws 2k + Devins 1k + AAL 1k = 4k venues. But I'm not sold the math truly works out that way.  It may (I'm not an expert, just giving my thoughts).  Id say there's lots of overlaps in the fan bases, but then there may also be those who wouldn't see any single of these bands on their own but would go because of the tour package of all 3.  However, IMO, I don't think the tickets are cheap enough to draw in that last group.  It's why you might see a packed lawn for big summer concerts.  Those cheap tickets get sold to a lot of casual fans.  Maybe other cities have that option, but NYC doesn't have a cheap get in the door price.  We'll see.  I plan on monitoring the NYC ticket situation because I didn't buy yet and I'm hoping to get a deal as it gets closer.

[Kram]

I'm not saying anyone is right or wrong here, but speaking just for CT, I can't imagine they're moving on from the Oakdale because they need a larger venue just because they added AAL and DT.  Look, I'm as big a fan of Devin as anyone, but I would be stunned beyond words if he played Connecticut and it was anything bigger than Toad's Place (700 people).  There might be other things going on, and I'm pretty thrilled that there is something different happening.

I wonder this myself.  I think Devin plays in 500-1k capacity venues in the US.  I'm guessing AAL are similar.  It's like the promoter said, DT draws 2k + Devins 1k + AAL 1k = 4k venues. But I'm not sold the math truly works out that way.  It may (I'm not an expert, just giving my thoughts).  Id say there's lots of overlaps in the fan bases, but then there may also be those who wouldn't see any single of these bands on their own but would go because of the tour package of all 3.  However, IMO, I don't think the tickets are cheap enough to draw in that last group.  It's why you might see a packed lawn for big summer concerts.  Those cheap tickets get sold to a lot of casual fans.  Maybe other cities have that option, but NYC doesn't have a cheap get in the door price.  We'll see.  I plan on monitoring the NYC ticket situation because I didn't buy yet and I'm hoping to get a deal as it gets closer.

I'd say you hit the nail on the head here.  No way they sell 4K seats based on this math.  Maybe 2,500.  That's just my opinion based on the available facts.  But then again what do I know.. lol

[Lonk]

Animals as Leaders usually play at Irving Plaza here in NYC, which has a 1.2K capacity (I think). I haven't seen them in a while, but last I saw them there the place was sold out.

Actually found this video from last year, the place looks packed:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CXd7dyKlGig

[cramx3]

Animals as Leaders usually play at Irving Plaza here in NYC, which has a 1.2K capacity (I think). I haven't seen them in a while, but last I saw them there the place was sold out.

Actually found this video from last year, the place looks packed:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CXd7dyKlGig

My understanding is Irving Plaza is 1k.  Devin's last NYC show was at Warsaw in Brooklyn, apparently also 1k capacity and was sold out (I was there). I get my numbers from googling, no idea if it's accurate, but seems fairly close to being right.

I didn't go to Dream Theater's last NYC show (I went to NJ and CT) but it was at Beacon Theatre and that apparently has a 2.6k capacity.  I know they've sold it out before so even if it wasn't sold out last show, I'm sure it was well attended (Mike Portnoy was even there). 

If you add those 3 capacities up, you get 4.6k, the capacity of Hulu Theater where they are playing this tour in NYC is 5.6.  Subtract out the closed off seating and the math works out in this example.

[ReaperKK]

Animals as Leaders usually play at Irving Plaza here in NYC, which has a 1.2K capacity (I think). I haven't seen them in a while, but last I saw them there the place was sold out.

Actually found this video from last year, the place looks packed:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CXd7dyKlGig

I follow them on insta and they sold out every show except one but obviously smaller venues than DT.

Personally I wouldn't be making this trip if it wasn't for AAL. I've seen DT enough to not travel more than 2 hours for them. 

[El Barto]

It still seems unlikely to me that AAL and DdTo add that many more people, since prog fans were aleady going to go to any of them. Devin played to less than 1k last time through (with Haken opening) and I suspect half of those people would have attended a DT show. AAl scores about the same.

[Architeuthis]

I wonder if Devin Townsend has a pull up here in the Pacific Northwest since he's from Vancouver BC.  Pretty much from our area right next door so to speak. 
Dream Theater used to have a decent turnout  in Seattle, but prog fans are sadly diminishing it seems like.

[svisser]

I do find it odd they think the Vancouver venue is fitting for the show. Perhaps DT felt with the AAL and Devin, they could swing for a bigger venue? Even though both the openers only fill the Commodore when they come here.

I am a bit worried that the crowd will be underwhelming. Or they may come for one band and leave for the other. That happened with Prog Nation. Half the Orpheum balcony left following Opeth.

I am also shocked at the same time that people are not grabbing up the tickets like a madhouse. DT has not been to Vancouver in almost 10 years.

[svisser]

On another note, imagine if DT did a short-song-only setlist:

600
Forsaken
The Looking Glass
I walk Beside You
Gift of Music
Fall Into the Light
Invisible Monster
Status Seeker
Another Day
Out Of Reach
Moment of Betrayal
Voices
Burning My Soul
As I Am
The Spirit Carries On
Pull Me Under


Encore: Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence

[pg1067]

Only with Dream Theater could you have someone suggest that a song that's 7 seconds shy of 10:00 is a "short song." 

[Stadler]

On another note, imagine if DT did a short-song-only setlist:

600
Forsaken
The Looking Glass
I walk Beside You
Gift of Music
Fall Into the Light
Invisible Monster
Status Seeker
Another Day
Out Of Reach
Moment of Betrayal
Voices
Burning My Soul
As I Am
The Spirit Carries On
Pull Me Under


Encore: Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence

Other than Invisible Monster, I'd be thrilled with that set.

[ReaperKK]

That's a pretty decent list, move the spirit carries on a bit earlier so I can have a bathroom/beer break.