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

[The Letter M]

If they go the R40 (Rush) route, where would the setlist split at intermission, with regards to the albums? For Rush, their first set ended at their 9th album, and the second set began with their 8th album (Moving Pictures).

I could see them opening the second set with SFAM, which means closing the first set with something from SDOIT. "The Glass Prison" would be neat, especially if they made it a 12SS Medley and closed with the ending part of "The Shattered Fortress", which technically has static at the end of it, which could then segue into the David Bottrill mix of SFAM with its "Opening Scene" where the record plays the SFAM theme.

-Marc.

[bosk1]

I think it just depends on the songs and song lengths.  For the one I wrote a few posts back, I was envisioning it splitting after Octavarium, which would be about 80 minutes.  But if they chose longer songs on the front side, it would make sense to close the first set just before that and open set 2 with Octavarium.  But that was the fulcrum point in my proposed set. 

[The Letter M]

I think it just depends on the songs and song lengths.  For the one I wrote a few posts back, I was envisioning it splitting after Octavarium, which would be about 80 minutes.  But if they chose longer songs on the front side, it would make sense to close the first set just before that and open set 2 with Octavarium.  But that was the fulcrum point in my proposed set.

I think it also depends on just how many older songs they want to/can do. If they're just looking at one song per their first four or five albums, then the second set would probably start at Octavarium or earlier.

I think they'd also play ACOS as the encore if they wanted to encore with a longer epic, since it's their first big epic and would fit within the reverse-time-frame order since it was written during their first 6-7 years together. I doubt we'd be so lucky as to get BOTH ACOS and 8VM songs in one set, but if it's AWE, they could very well surprise us.

Since it's the line-up that produced SFAM/SDOIT/TOT/SC/BC&SL, I imagine half of the show's runtime will consist of those songs, with a quarter focused on MM-era, and another quarter on their first four albums.

-Marc.

[bosk1]

I'm just wondering how they will fit everything in when they do the 50th anniversary tour.

[Buddyhunter1]

If they do play one song per album I'd honestly prefer doing so non linearly, as going through the albums in order (or backwards) makes the set too predictable after a while. Jumbling the order up makes it more of a surprise what they'll play next, and they can move songs to parts of the set that make more sense for them (for example, playing Octavarium at the very end instead of in the middle).

[pg1067]

Do we think they may play Octavarium in it's entirety? Like they did for SFAM for its anniversary..

Song?  Yes.  Album?  No.


So...no one sees anything in that picture representing View?

[MrMike]

So...no one sees anything in that picture representing View?

I'm thinking it's the mountains in the far back.

[The Letter M]

So...no one sees anything in that picture representing View?

It's the Taxi Cab.


https://www.discogs.com/release/20684527-Dream-Theater-A-View-From-The-Top-Of-The-World

-Marc.

[Metro]

So...no one sees anything in that picture representing View?

It's obvious, isn't it? The picture IS the view from the top of the world

[pg1067]

It's the Taxi Cab.


https://www.discogs.com/release/20684527-Dream-Theater-A-View-From-The-Top-Of-The-World

So...this was wrong?

- DT12:  The Majesty symbol, and I guess people are saying the car, but I have no idea what that has to do with the album.

It's in the DT12's booklet artwork.

And if the car is for View, does that mean that the only thing for WDADU and DT12 is the Majesty Symbol?

[The Letter M]

It's obvious, isn't it? The picture IS the view from the top of the world

Ah yes, when the world is flat, a top view is taken from the side onto the horizon. Of course!

DT are Flat-Earthers confirmed!

-Marc.

[Ben_Jamin]

It's the Taxi Cab.


https://www.discogs.com/release/20684527-Dream-Theater-A-View-From-The-Top-Of-The-World

-Marc.

I didn't have my booklet with me to check the artwork inside for anything. Thanks so much for posting that picture.

I was also thinking the DT logo is what represents the self-titled, which does make sense image wise. 

[The Letter M]

I didn't have my booklet with me to check the artwork inside for anything. Thanks so much for posting that picture.

I was also thinking the DT logo is what represents the self-titled, which does make sense image wise. 

I figured I'd check discogs for the booklet images since they usually have scans for nearly every album on their site anyway. I thought that taxi looked more like the one from AVFTTOTW rather than the one in the tray inlay for DT12.

So yeah, I guess the Majesty symbol is pulling double duty for both WDADU and DT12 as far as representing albums. I figured they would've put in the humming bird for DT12, or the Majesty-brand-poker for WDADU, but I guess not.

-Marc.

[Setlist Scotty]

They know Octavarium is a fan favorite, and it's one that is on at least some of their minds as something they want to play.  But if they are taking the former approach on this tour before the album drops, Octavarium might be a long shot just because of its length.

Great points. I'm sure they'll resurrect the track again, if not on this tour, then the following one. But given that it will be a track that will probably be featured at most if not all shows, I wonder if they'd do it on this tour, since it's a track that already was featured on the 20th Anniversary tour and accompanying live release. I could easily imagine MP deciding to wait with doing it until the next tour.

9.  Honor Thy Father (I would rather see ITNOG, and they could easily sub that in instead, but I was initially going for shorter songs.  Either would be a great set 2 opener after 8VM closing the first set)

As much as I've grown to love this song (it's now my favorite on ToT), I don't think we'll ever see this song live again given that MP is now on good terms with his step-father. The only way I could see it making it into the setlist may be as part of a medley of some sort, and we know what JP thinks of medley schmedleys!

If they go the R40 (Rush) route, where would the setlist split at intermission, with regards to the albums? For Rush, their first set ended at their 9th album, and the second set began with their 8th album (Moving Pictures).

As Bosk said, it would probably vary depending on what songs are played on a nightly basis. Don't forget that MP will be mindful of selecting certain songs that will serve as proper closing and opening songs in the middle, to end the first set and open the second set. On the 20th Anniversary tour, the first set ended with a SFaM or SDoIT track, and the second set then opened with a track from the following album. I would imagine the same would happen assuming the setlists will be done in a chronological way again (whether forwards or reverse).

I just think it comes down to the fact that they can only really call the tour one thing.  It can't be MPs return, 40th anniversary, AND new album tour.  It's just too much. I think 40th anniversary type of titling likely sells more tickets than the others, some of which is that we already know it's MP's return being the main selling point for a lot of people so they don't need to really advertise that part as much.  Also, the new album hasn't been announced officially so they can't tag the tour as the album because they just don't have the title and whatnot ready yet.

I agree. Let's not forget that aside from the warmup shows in Europe and Gigantour, the tour for Octavarium was known as the 20th Anniversary tour. So it makes sense they'd do the same again now, even though they'll also be supporting a new album as well.

If they do play one song per album I'd honestly prefer doing so non linearly, as going through the albums in order (or backwards) makes the set too predictable after a while. Jumbling the order up makes it more of a surprise what they'll play next, and they can move songs to parts of the set that make more sense for them (for example, playing Octavarium at the very end instead of in the middle).

I know what you're saying, but with songs rotating, you still won't know what's coming up next, even if you know what album it will be from, and even then, there's always a chance that some albums might get skipped from show to show. But even then, with a chronological setlist it will still be less predictable than the static setlists that DT has been doing for the last 10 years.   

It's the Taxi Cab.


https://www.discogs.com/release/20684527-Dream-Theater-A-View-From-The-Top-Of-The-World

The taxi cab could rpresent the s/t album or AVFtTotW, or both since it's basically the same in both albums. Hard to say.

[Stadler]

There's something weird with the X's too; they are not the same (there's as far as I can tell, three different kinds) and two of the three (the same two) are not strictly "x's", and the third one (the center one) is a-symetrical along it's x-axis.  The top two arms are "doubled".

I don't know how any of those refer to the debut or to DT12, but it's out there for you. 

[The Letter M]

The taxi cab could rpresent the s/t album or AVFtTotW, or both since it's basically the same in both albums. Hard to say.

I thought that too, but then I looked up the taxi from DT12, and well...



They're different pieces of art, and the one on the DT40 Tour artwork is copy-pasted from the View artwork, even facing the same direction.

-Marc.

[Rigel]

I thought the little kid playing in the sand was the reference to the self titled.

[Metro]

I thought the little kid playing in the sand was the reference to the self titled.

No, that's A Change of Seasons

[The Letter M]

I thought the little kid playing in the sand was the reference to the self titled.

You're talking about this one?


Similar idea, but not exactly the same kid. Also not exactly the same kid from the ACOS EP cover.



Is the kid brand new art or am I forgetting liner-note artwork from something?

-Marc.

[The Letter M]

No, that's A Change of Seasons

The bucket and rose definitely are, but the kid looks different, and the cover of ACOS doesn't even have a sand castle.

-Marc.

[Setlist Scotty]

You're talking about this one?


Similar idea, but not exactly the same kid. Also not exactly the same kid from the ACOS EP cover.



Is the kid brand new art or am I forgetting liner-note artwork from something?

Yeah, but the little girl ain't the same one from IaW either, nor the eye from ToT, etc. So it's just a representation of an element from those albums, not the exact one.

[Lonk]

I hope they bring this tour to the US. I remember the 30th anniversary tour was European dates only.

[crystalstars17]

I hope they bring this tour to the US. I remember the 30th anniversary tour was European dates only.

Oh please don't give me something to worry about. 

[Setlist Scotty]

I hope they bring this tour to the US. I remember the 30th anniversary tour was European dates only.

No way is this not gonna hit North America. I'd be surprised if any of the major territories was overlooked for this one. Maybe even a second leg through some of the territories, too, if the tour is exceptionally successful.

[devieira73]

MP responding a comment in his FB:
To everybody posting / inquiring about shows in North America, South America, Asia, etc etc...this is a WORLD TOUR that will be incredibly busy and thorough throughout all of 2025 once we kick off this first leg in Europe in Oct '24...

That being said, there can only ever be ONE "1st Show" and this first night in London is going to be off the charts electric, exciting and surely a very special event in DT history! Hope to share this with as many of you hardcore DT fans as possible! 😎🤘

[gmillerdrake]

That being said, there can only ever be ONE "1st Show" and this first night in London is going to be off the charts electric

Not that I don't think London doesn't 'deserve' the 'first' show back for MP......I just find it weird that his first show back with DT is going to be overseas. I would have bet $1000.00 it'd have been in NYC or Boston....somewhere close to their home or what they consider 'home'

[DTiwbwMP]

I'm just waiting for the DREAMSONIC '24 North American dates to drop! Looks like it begins on July 28th in Boston at the Berkley PAC! Here's the info:
DREAMSONIC '24 starring DREAM THEATER with the LONG-AWAITED return of Mike Portnoy!
Special Guests HAKEN with support from NEMIC.


............then I woke up!

[Setlist Scotty]

I'm just waiting for the DREAMSONIC '24 North American dates to drop! Looks like it begins on July 28th in Boston at the Berkley PAC! Here's the info:
DREAMSONIC '24 starring DREAM THEATER with the LONG-AWAITED return of Mike Portnoy!
Special Guests HAKEN with support from NEMIC.


............then I woke up!

DreamSonic? Please no. And no Progressive Nation. Just a pure, unadulterated Evening With tour. No opening acts.

[TAC]

I saw DT at Berklee!




And I agree Scotty!

[Dream Team]

I'm just waiting for the DREAMSONIC '24 North American dates to drop! Looks like it begins on July 28th in Boston at the Berkley PAC! Here's the info:
DREAMSONIC '24 starring DREAM THEATER with the LONG-AWAITED return of Mike Portnoy!
Special Guests HAKEN with support from NEMIC.


............then I woke up!

You want 2 opening bands for the MP reunion tour / 40th anniversary? Yeah I don't get it.

[EvantheMotel6Owmer]

I hope they bring this tour to the US. I remember the 30th anniversary tour was European dates only.

The 30th anniversary one was one of their mini tours that they sometimes do between albums. This one is going to be one of the main album tours, so yes, it will be coming to the US.

[DTiwbwMP]

You want 2 opening bands for the MP reunion tour / 40th anniversary? Yeah I don't get it.

Did you READ IT? Nowhere did it say it was part of the upcoming album tour cycle/40th Anny!!! Jeez!

[DTiwbwMP]

DreamSonic? Please no. And no Progressive Nation. Just a pure, unadulterated Evening With tour. No opening acts.

I'm willing to take anything that would've put them out on tour THIS SUMMER prior to the BIG TOUR! It's not to be

[EvantheMotel6Owmer]

I decided to sketch up a very, very rough estimate of what the setlist could possibly look like, not factoring in the possibility of rotation. I threw in what I think are likely candidates mixed with songs I saw recommended a lot in this thread. Also, the runtimes you see for new album songs are just guesses, obviously.

Set #1:

1. First single from new album (8:00)
2. The Glass Prison (12:00)
3. S2N (6:22)
4. New album song (6:00)
5. New album song (9:30)
6. Home (12:54)
7. Surrender to Reason (6:35)
8. Surrounded (5:30)
9. In the Name of God (14:15)

--Intermission--

Set #2:

10. The Alien (9:33)
11. Afterlife (5:30)
12. Raise the Knife (12:00)
13. Through My Words/Fatal Tragedy (7:50)
14. Breaking All Illusions (12:30)
15.  New album epic (16:00)

Encore:

16. Octavarium (24:00)

2hr, 46m, leaving room for breaks between songs (James banter with the audience and John changes guitars) and intermission, as long as my math isn't painfully wrong.

[porcacultor]

Not that I don't think London doesn't 'deserve' the 'first' show back for MP......I just find it weird that his first show back with DT is going to be overseas. I would have bet $1000.00 it'd have been in NYC or Boston....somewhere close to their home or what they consider 'home'

I believe their first overseas show (big distinction from first international shows: the first shows outside the US were in Canada) was in London in the IAW tour, and then they recorded their first live album at the Marquee there within a month (and Distant Memories many years later). Makes sense to me that they see it as a big historical place for them, though I get what you're saying.

Whenever they do play in NYC or Boston, it's going to be really emotional just the same.