DREAM THEATER - Europe leg of the 40th Anniversary Tour 2024-2025

[TheHoveringSojourn808]

Although they are an North-American band (proud of it, for sure!) and had to start there, for obvious reasons, I  think DT always recognized that Europe was the first place to really embrace the band. There's something about it in the Live at the Marquee liner notes I guess. Maybe it's just about logistics, considering the album release around September/October.

Wasn't that made in Japan? That's not Europe

[efx]

Putting together huge tours like this is a lot about logistics and since we are not privy to the inner workings of why exactly this goes before that it's safe to assume it's just what makes the most sense logistically. I think that gets lost a bit in the inevitable discussion of "why not city x" etc you see on social media after an announcement like this. People shouldn't try and read much more into it.

[efx]

Wasn't that made in Japan? That's not Europe

Are you suggesting the Marquee is in Japan? It's in London.

[hefdaddy42]

It is. I let my emotion run high. I apologize. I still think they should play America though!

Who said they aren't going to play America?

[EvantheMotel6Owmer]

For everyone complaining that the US isn't first, you have to remember that they're MUCH more popular in Europe than they are in North America. Perhaps us United States and Canada folks need to step up our game.

[TheHoveringSojourn808]

Are you suggesting the Marquee is in Japan? It's in London.

I'm wrong once again. I was thinking of their first live video, which was shot in Japan, but confused it with their first live album, lol. My bad!

[Mladen]

I do find it interesting that the band's first tour with the reunited line up will be in Europe, even though they're an American band. As someone from Eastern Europe, I feel privileged. 

It is kind of odd that London is the only date in the entire UK, though. But oh well, that's business for you, you can't play all the cities.

[TheHoveringSojourn808]

For everyone complaining that the US isn't first, you have to remember that they're MUCH more popular in Europe than they are in North America. Perhaps us United States and Canada folks need to step up our game.

I agree. I wish everyone would be mandated to go to prog metal concerts in America, similar to certain vaccinations to enter school/travel. We need to educate the masses!

[Chino]

Based on the attendance at the CT show last tour, the band's management is probably taking a very good look at the US market and where they should play. As pointed out in this thread, concerts are expensive as shit now. My days of seeing a dozen concerts in a summer are long gone. Maybe they've determined that a summer tour in the US would have too much competition, for both venues and wallets. Perhaps the winter months are better for a band like DT as far as the US goes.   

I have nothing to back this up. Just spitballing.

[efx]

I'm wrong once again. I was thinking of their first live video, which was shot in Japan, but confused it with their first live album, lol. My bad!

Fair enough, I actually forgot the Live in Japan video for a sec

[SeRoX]

An Evening With format is a bit risky considering James' last performances.

But I think James himself is aware what's the problem and how it can be solved. I think we'll see many altered vocal melodies (like Pull Me Under from Dreamsonic tour) and that has to be done anyway for James' and the band's sake. As long as James sounds great with altered melodies I'm all for it.

[jammindude]

For the first time in my entire life, I'm actually in a good and stable enough financial position that I could *almost* pull off going to the London show....but it would be 4K (2 people for 4-5 days in London) that I really need to put into the house.

Responsibilities will most likely win out.

[cramx3]

The last DT tour was of the US.  While I wish they did the US first for selfish reasons, there's likely very strong logistical reasons to tour Europe first.

Also, I'd kind of be shocked if that first UK show sells well.  I think there is legit hype for DT right now, but that booking may be a bit too optimistic.  I'd love to be wrong. 

[TheHoveringSojourn808]

An Evening With format is a bit risky considering James' last performances.

But I think James himself is aware what's the problem and how it can be solved. I think we'll see many altered vocal melodies (like Pull Me Under from Dreamsonic tour) and that has to be done anyway for James' and the band's sake. As long as James sounds great with altered melodies I'm all for it.

I don't think there'll be a big hassle with an Evening With. See my other thread for more details

The last DT tour was of the US.  While I wish they did the US first for selfish reasons, there's likely very strong logistical reasons to tour Europe first.

Also, I'd kind of be shocked if that first UK show sells well.  I think there is legit hype for DT right now, but that booking may be a bit too optimistic.  I'd love to be wrong. 

This is fair. I just want to see DT with MP so badly, and knowing I may have to wait until 2025 is just too much to bear!!

[gborland]

Well, even Glasgow to London is seven hours by car.

If the first show had been in NYC, I'd have been there. In fact, I'd have been there virtually anywhere in the world. The fact it's in London, 75 minutes away on a train, is a massive piece of good fortune for me.

Likewise! Thankfully I'll be flying down from Glasgow rather than driving. 

[Stadler]

So... my kid is going to school in London until September of 2025... I do need to visit her at some point...  I see the planets aligning here.

[EvantheMotel6Owmer]

So... my kid is going to school in London until September of 2025... I do need to visit her at some point...  I see the planets aligning here.

The universe is trying to tell you something.

[nobloodyname]

So... my kid is going to school in London until September of 2025... I do need to visit her at some point...  I see the planets aligning here.

Oh, wow! Hope you can make it work.

And will also be great to see you again, Graham!

[TheHoveringSojourn808]

So... my kid is going to school in London until September of 2025... I do need to visit her at some point...  I see the planets aligning here.

Be the American Diplomat to the first DT show with MP we all know you were meant to be

[MrMike]

I'm wondering if that interview was recorded so we can hear the riff that JP played.

Also, the answer about the setlist was only that the band were "open" to MP writing it.  I wouldn't assume there'll be different setlists every night just based on that, but for a tour like this, it does seem like fitting 16 albums of DT length music into a single set will be difficult without some rotating or truncation/medleys. 

[axeman90210]

So... my kid is going to school in London until September of 2025... I do need to visit her at some point...  I see the planets aligning here.

Similarly, I'm in Italy for a wedding on October 10th. I had planned on traveling some in Europe the week after and then being back in the states by the 17th or 18th, but I might be able to stretch the trip out a few more days.

[hunnus2000]

I sincerely mean this - thank you for posting the .pdf! I too got the dreaded paywall.

[genome]

Omg, first show back for Portnoy in London? I'm there.

Must mean the new album is a few months away too? Wasn't expecting any shows until 2025.

[fadetoblackdude7]

So... my kid is going to school in London until September of 2025... I do need to visit her at some point...  I see the planets aligning here.

DO IT!!!

[MirrorMask]

Must mean the new album is a few months away too? Wasn't expecting any shows until 2025.

In the interview they addressed it, they basically bit their tongues to not say the date but they guided us through the timeline, "if we want to have the first date here it means that the album has to be out at a certain point which means mastering has to happen at a certain point and so we have to be ready at a certain date"..... I guess it's safe to say that they already know the release date, and that these things are coordinated with the label and the tour manager. I would be very surprised if by now they don't know the roadmap and when the album will be officially finished, when the mastering will begin, and what's the planned release date. At least, that's my guess, I don't have insider industry info on how precise is the planning of the release of an album.

[genome]

In the interview they addressed it, they basically bit their tongues to not say the date but they guided us through the timeline, "if we want to have the first date here it means that the album has to be out at a certain point which means mastering has to happen at a certain point and so we have to be ready at a certain date"..... I guess it's safe to say that they already know the release date, and that these things are coordinated with the label and the tour manager. I would be very surprised if by now they don't know the roadmap and when the album will be officially finished, when the mastering will begin, and what's the planned release date. At least, that's my guess, I don't have insider industry info on how precise is the planning of the release of an album.

Unless they do a Pink Floyd and play the whole thing on the road for a year before it's out 

[hunnus2000]

Unless they do a Pink Floyd and play the whole thing on the road for a year before it's out 

Well, any chance of them playing a few warmup gigs before the European tour?

[gborland]

No. They very clearly said London is the first show.

[geeeemo]

As far as pricing goes. Going to see DT is right in line with other entertainment.
I have season tickets for the Denver Broncos. Not bad seats, not great. They are 186.50 each for regular season seat.
I go to "Broadway" plays here in Reno, they are 92.00 per seat.

3 hours of DT is way better than any play. And now way better the the Broncos games since they suck so bad. But even if they were good
(someday again, I hope), if I had to choose, I would choose DT.

Nothing is cheap now. And I really don't think the tickets are too high compared to anything else.

[genome]

As far as pricing goes. Going to see DT is right in line with other entertainment.
I have season tickets for the Denver Broncos. Not bad seats, not great. They are 186.50 each for regular season seat.
I go to "Broadway" plays here in Reno, they are 92.00 per seat.

3 hours of DT is way better than any play. And now way better the the Broncos games since they suck so bad. But even if they were good
(someday again, I hope), if I had to choose, I would choose DT.

Nothing is cheap now. And I really don't think the tickets are too high compared to anything else.

Have you seen the pricing anywhere?

[pg1067]

A fan on FB complained about London being the only UK date, to which Mike replied:

People from all over the WORLD are gonna be coming to London for the VERY 1ST show!! Surely coming from somewhere within the UK shouldn't be THAT much of a stretch considering what many others will be doing...

So I guess it's definitive that there won't be any summer dates and that this autumn European tour will mark the FIRST live show of Mike Portnoy with Dream Theater since 2009.

So...according to setlist.fm, the last London show they played was at a venue called Eventim Apollo, and a Google search tells me that venue has a capacity between 3,600-5,300 for concerts.  And now they're playing a venue in the same city with 4x the capacity on the premise that they'll pull an additional 15,000 fans from other locations to travel?  I don't know....  More power to them if it happens, I guess.

[Trav]

So...according to setlist.fm, the last London show they played was at a venue called Eventim Apollo, and a Google search tells me that venue has a capacity between 3,600-5,300 for concerts.  And now they're playing a venue in the same city with 4x the capacity on the premise that they'll pull an additional 15,000 fans from other locations to travel?  I don't know....  More power to them if it happens, I guess.

I'm guessing that promoters are counting on a few factors. It's the first show with Portnoy, it's the only show in the U.K. (At least on this leg) and it's an anniversary show. I'm sure the numbers were better on the I&W and SFAM anniversary shows. 

I can't be there, but I hope they sell the motherfucker out, and it's the greatest show ever.

[OpenYourEyes311]

As long as the setlists are rotating, not sure why you'll have to do that. And the indications are there that there will be some variation from show to show.

Nah, I get that. I just like knowing NOTHING. I don't want to know the opener, the closer, the encore, or what is being rotated in and out until after my show. We'll see how it goes. I couldn't wait on the 20th tour and was following that one. There's unfortunately no way of knowing if they're rotating or not without something being spoiled.

[geeeemo]

Have you seen the pricing anywhere?

Earlier in the thread someone said 85 and 115 pounds.

[pg1067]

Earlier in the thread someone said 85 and 115 pounds.

I think that was euro (for one of the shows on the continent), not pounds.