Dream Theater North American Tour Dates (Feb-Mar, 2025)

[Ben_Jamin]

I was at the show last night and this is a great summation of how it went and how the vibe felt. DT played the same room for that Dreamsonic show and James sounds WAY, WAY better than he did just a few short years ago. And then of course just watching MP be MP is as you said, like a second front man. Just totally elated and floored with the show, I loved it!


Hollow Years


Under a Glass Moon


The man himself welcoming us all to the forums show

Prestine...

I wish I could've went but the weather wasn't looking to my favor. It's snowing hard here now and I was not gonna get stuck

[gmillerdrake]

You're gonna want to keep an eye on that. Right now they won't sell at that price. Too many better, and cheaper options. If the other floor seats sell tonight or early tomorrow you'll be fine. You might even be able to jack the price up. If there are still better deals say, lunchtime tomorrow you need to reevaluate.

My hunch is that you should do alright. It looks like a seller's market to me. DT is just kind of hard to predict because most of their fans buy early, yet the Dallas show sold quite briskly the day of.

Both sold this morning. I jumped in before leaving to drive to Chicago and lowered the ask by $40 and they sold near immediately.

I made my money back on the tickets and "made" $60 total off them.

I wasn't in it to make any money really....probably could have kept the cost higher but I just wanted to get my money back really.

[dualpalmpilots]

I love Jordan's rig on this tour. Fun way to enjoy what he's doing up there.

[cramx3]

I love Jordan's rig on this tour. Fun way to enjoy what he's doing up there.

Yeah, I like his little screen that wraps around the keyboard that has some changing effects.

[Adami]

I saw a few snippets where the screen showed a digital keyboard and showed what notes he is hitting. I thought that was really cool.

[El Barto]

Both sold this morning. I jumped in before leaving to drive to Chicago and lowered the ask by $40 and they sold near immediately.

I made my money back on the tickets and "made" $60 total off them.

I wasn't in it to make any money really....probably could have kept the cost higher but I just wanted to get my money back really.

Glad to hear it. I checked in this morning and saw you'd dropped the price. They were the best deal at that point.

As for waiting, it wasn't going to get any better. Day of the show they generally drop, and that's what's happening now. There are decent floor seats for $110+TTL, and excellent ones for $140. Get-ins are $75.

[brakkum]

Just got back to the hotel after the Chicago show. Kicked ass! Pretty great crowd, and have to say after having been at the London show it's so awesome to see how much James has improved. He was killing it tonight, but I think his voice got tired during the encore. It was the first DT show for my girlfriend too! She was really digging Jordan's playing and had a great time.

Also apparently Chicago has it out for Jordan. I was at the LTE show here 17 years ago when his keyboard died, and tonight his keyboard stand died and was stuck at a weird slant the entire encore. However, he still killed it!

[NoFred]

JLB sounded his best in recent memory. Great show and crowd, met ppl from all over the midwest which is surprisingly underserved this tour.

Knew the setlist going in but didn't realize how well it plays out... Set 1 and encore were high energy, and while I checked out some on the new stuff the rest of set 2 was sublime. It's like those songs were written to be played as together, just a perfect uninterrupted run of music.

[EvantheMotel6Owmer]

Chicago show was excellent. Sound from where I was sitting was perfect, didn't need earplugs or anything. Crowd was insanely energetic, and yes, we got Home.

[fadetoblackdude7]

Amazing show in Chicago last night...might've been my favorite DT show ever and it was #14 for me

[NoFred]

Amazing show in Chicago last night...might've been my favorite DT show ever and it was #14 for me

Fewer for me but I think I agree with you, in that it was their best show of the ones I've attended. A completely re-engergized band was on stage last night.

[gmillerdrake]

Amazing show in Chicago last night...might've been my favorite DT show ever and it was #14 for me

Fewer for me but I think I agree with you, in that it was their best show of the ones I've attended. A completely re-engergized band was on stage last night.

Right there with you two. It was a pretty incredible show. I thought James sounded freaking great....the band was tight....and, this is absolutely no dig at Mike Mangini.....Mike Portnoy just brings a level of showmanship COMBINED with the insane drumming ability that MM just didn't. Again, no dig at him but Mike Portnoy being on stage with the other DT members is the way it should be and should have always been. Such a great show!!!



After the show my oldest (who is a drummer in a band and started drumming because of MP) REALLY wanted to hang out by the tour bus for a chance to see/meet the band. We did the same thing back in 2019 in Nashville and got lucky to meet them all and talk a bit. So, last night...we tried the same thing.

Show was over I think 10:30ish???....we found the tour busses and started our wait. A group of (24) fans congregated at the back door (I did count) and around 11:00 JMX came out but made a B-Line to the bus...no eye contact, nothing. then, event security came out and asked us all to give some room and so we did...but then the wait was on.

We stood there until around midnight when then Jordan came out but did the same thing....then about 15 minutes later so did JP.....and finally around 12:30ish James and Mike came out and went right to the bus. They acknowledged everyone by waiving and what not but there was no stopping.

Which, I totally understand. I think there was a post show meet and greet as well because we saw those folks leave....the guys have long hard days traveling....it was late....there was 20 something fans and if they stop there's no telling how long it'll be before they're on the bus. Plus, they make money with the meet and greets for what we were trying for free.

So after they all got on the bus nearly all the people left, except for me, my son and three other guys. And we just continued to wait there along the wall of the venue. After about 20 minutes...(it's nearing 1:00am) we see MP kind of stick his head between the curtain in the cab of the bus and take a peek...my son waved to him....then he disappeared again.

FF about 10 minutes and the bus driver is making his checks of the wheels and all the outside things and it looks like they're about to pull away. BUT...one of the other busses apparently were missing some folks and crew from that bus went back inside to find them. About 5 minutes after that none other than MP opens the door of the bus and greets us five who were standing there!!

He was very gracious...signed a drum  head and sticks for one guy....one dude took off his bright white shoe and MP singed that...then he greeted me and my son and was very nice. My son told him that he was the reason he started drumming to which MP replied "I'm sorry"...but...he then talked with us for a good 5 minutes...took a couple pictures and I have the feeling he'd have kept talking but we really didn't want him to feel obligated to stay out there with us.

So we told him once again how grateful we were that he stepped out to say hi and talk and said thanks about a dozen more times and he was telling us he hoped we'd come back for the fall tour and he stepped back onto the bus and we walked away with a heck of a memory...so..yeah....we got to meet MP after the show and my son got to meet his musical hero. (we met him at a Neal Morse Band Meet and Greet a few years back but this was WAY cooler!!)

[gmillerdrake]

Glad to hear it. I checked in this morning and saw you'd dropped the price. They were the best deal at that point.

As for waiting, it wasn't going to get any better. Day of the show they generally drop, and that's what's happening now. There are decent floor seats for $110+TTL, and excellent ones for $140. Get-ins are $75.

Yeah....before we left for Chicago I dropped them both and one sold....then when we stopped to charge my car halfway to Chicago I went in and dropped the other and it sold pretty quickly. Was glad to get my money back on those two tix. Between the $$$ recouped and the small profit...it paid for the hotel and parking so I consider myself lucky.

[Buckeye69]

Just snagged 6th row center section on the aisle at the box office for tonight's show.    Would've cost me about 50 more buying it online! 

[TAC]

Great story Gary!

[Progmaniac1988]

Right there with you two. It was a pretty incredible show. I thought James sounded freaking great....the band was tight....and, this is absolutely no dig at Mike Mangini.....Mike Portnoy just brings a level of showmanship COMBINED with the insane drumming ability that MM just didn't. Again, no dig at him but Mike Portnoy being on stage with the other DT members is the way it should be and should have always been. Such a great show!!!



After the show my oldest (who is a drummer in a band and started drumming because of MP) REALLY wanted to hang out by the tour bus for a chance to see/meet the band. We did the same thing back in 2019 in Nashville and got lucky to meet them all and talk a bit. So, last night...we tried the same thing.

Show was over I think 10:30ish???....we found the tour busses and started our wait. A group of (24) fans congregated at the back door (I did count) and around 11:00 JMX came out but made a B-Line to the bus...no eye contact, nothing. then, event security came out and asked us all to give some room and so we did...but then the wait was on.

We stood there until around midnight when then Jordan came out but did the same thing....then about 15 minutes later so did JP.....and finally around 12:30ish James and Mike came out and went right to the bus. They acknowledged everyone by waiving and what not but there was no stopping.

Which, I totally understand. I think there was a post show meet and greet as well because we saw those folks leave....the guys have long hard days traveling....it was late....there was 20 something fans and if they stop there's no telling how long it'll be before they're on the bus. Plus, they make money with the meet and greets for what we were trying for free.

So after they all got on the bus nearly all the people left, except for me, my son and three other guys. And we just continued to wait there along the wall of the venue. After about 20 minutes...(it's nearing 1:00am) we see MP kind of stick his head between the curtain in the cab of the bus and take a peek...my son waved to him....then he disappeared again.

FF about 10 minutes and the bus driver is making his checks of the wheels and all the outside things and it looks like they're about to pull away. BUT...one of the other busses apparently were missing some folks and crew from that bus went back inside to find them. About 5 minutes after that none other than MP opens the door of the bus and greets us five who were standing there!!

He was very gracious...signed a drum  head and sticks for one guy....one dude took off his bright white shoe and MP singed that...then he greeted me and my son and was very nice. My son told him that he was the reason he started drumming to which MP replied "I'm sorry"...but...he then talked with us for a good 5 minutes...took a couple pictures and I have the feeling he'd have kept talking but we really didn't want him to feel obligated to stay out there with us.

So we told him once again how grateful we were that he stepped out to say hi and talk and said thanks about a dozen more times and he was telling us he hoped we'd come back for the fall tour and he stepped back onto the bus and we walked away with a heck of a memory...so..yeah....we got to meet MP after the show and my son got to meet his musical hero. (we met him at a Neal Morse Band Meet and Greet a few years back but this was WAY cooler!!)

Awesome story man thanks for sharing! It's exactly stuff like this that makes me love MP so much! He never had to leave that bus, but he did, and it's memory your son will have forever man. 5 more days for me! I'm so excited

[SeRoX]

Reported that today's Northfield show stopped during Strange Deja-vu because power went down and fire system kicked in. No new news yet but probably it will be solved.

[EvantheMotel6Owmer]

The Cleveland venue looks so crummy (the comments on Reddit echo that). Huge downgrade from the beautiful theater Chicago gets.

[Shadow2222]

Yeah, I can confirm, the venue was terrible. Apparently the smoke from the fog machines couldn't vent properly (again, crappy venue), went out into the casino floor (also I didn't like that the venue was at a casino lol) and triggered the fire alarms.

We waited about 20 mins before the venue even confirmed there was no emergency and then they had to re-check every instrument. We also missed out on This is the Life and Vacant as they shortened the show. No Home in the encore but I expected that by that point.

There was one funny moment when James stuck the mic out to the crowd and it went flying off. People in the audience were scrambling to find it and hand it back to him. James mentioned later that there must be an evil spirit in the venue tonight lol

[NoFred]

There was one funny moment when James stuck the mic out to the crowd and it went flying off. People in the audience were scrambling to find it and hand it back to him. James mentioned later that there must be an evil spirit in the venue tonight lol

Lmao I've been wondering forever if that's happened to him. It's counterintuitive but you got it all tonight, a show to remember.

[Glasser]

For Dream Theater? Doesn't seem like they are doing a summer tour in the US, so not likely, but also, they need to sell even more to headline that place again. (even though I'd gladly take another show there for cheap and to still be up close to DT like in 2012, the last time they played PNC)

I was there too and it was incredible!

[romdrums]

Yeah, I can confirm, the venue was terrible. Apparently the smoke from the fog machines couldn't vent properly (again, crappy venue), went out into the casino floor (also I didn't like that the venue was at a casino lol) and triggered the fire alarms.

We waited about 20 mins before the venue even confirmed there was no emergency and then they had to re-check every instrument. We also missed out on This is the Life and Vacant as they shortened the show. No Home in the encore but I expected that by that point.

There was one funny moment when James stuck the mic out to the crowd and it went flying off. People in the audience were scrambling to find it and hand it back to him. James mentioned later that there must be an evil spirit in the venue tonight lol

I was there as well and yeah, the venue was far from ideal. Kinda felt like we were in a conference room. Even though JP was diplomatic about it, you could tell he was quietly seething for most of the night.  James losing the mic during Constant Motion was classic!  It's nice that, after seeing DT so many times over the years, I still get to experience some firsts!

[WilliamMunny]

Yeah, I can confirm, the venue was terrible. Apparently the smoke from the fog machines couldn't vent properly (again, crappy venue), went out into the casino floor (also I didn't like that the venue was at a casino lol) and triggered the fire alarms.

We waited about 20 mins before the venue even confirmed there was no emergency and then they had to re-check every instrument. We also missed out on This is the Life and Vacant as they shortened the show. No Home in the encore but I expected that by that point.

There was one funny moment when James stuck the mic out to the crowd and it went flying off. People in the audience were scrambling to find it and hand it back to him. James mentioned later that there must be an evil spirit in the venue tonight lol

I had tickets for the show and was, for the most part (not a fan of the new album, but whatevs) excited.

Then, like clockwork, my kiddo started grabbing his ear on Saturday morning. We went throughout our day, and because he's such a trooper, my wife and I waffled on whether he was coming down with something or just playing into our questioning.

Yesterday, we went to a birthday party at a park and he got to play outside on the playground for a good long while. It was 50 and sunny, and when the wind wasn't blowing, it felt good–'fool's weather' my mother used to say!

Yeah, got home yesterday afternoon, and the poor kid just crashed (the time change didn't help). Started grabbing his ear again, and now he had a fever (which wasn't the case earlier). Well, any of you adults can fill in the blank on what happened next.

Fortunately, I was able to sell my tickets and recoup some of the cost. Sounds like I missed an eventful, but ultimately underwhelming show? If anyone has video, please post!

Already thinking harder about a date in the fall, but the new album definitely took the wind out of my sails. Also, having a 3-year-old makes any event a bit of a gamble...no way I will ever leave one of my kids at home sick to do something like go see a band play music.

[KevShmev]

Right there with you two. It was a pretty incredible show. I thought James sounded freaking great....the band was tight....and, this is absolutely no dig at Mike Mangini.....Mike Portnoy just brings a level of showmanship COMBINED with the insane drumming ability that MM just didn't. Again, no dig at him but Mike Portnoy being on stage with the other DT members is the way it should be and should have always been. Such a great show!!!



After the show my oldest (who is a drummer in a band and started drumming because of MP) REALLY wanted to hang out by the tour bus for a chance to see/meet the band. We did the same thing back in 2019 in Nashville and got lucky to meet them all and talk a bit. So, last night...we tried the same thing.

Show was over I think 10:30ish???....we found the tour busses and started our wait. A group of (24) fans congregated at the back door (I did count) and around 11:00 JMX came out but made a B-Line to the bus...no eye contact, nothing. then, event security came out and asked us all to give some room and so we did...but then the wait was on.

We stood there until around midnight when then Jordan came out but did the same thing....then about 15 minutes later so did JP.....and finally around 12:30ish James and Mike came out and went right to the bus. They acknowledged everyone by waiving and what not but there was no stopping.

Which, I totally understand. I think there was a post show meet and greet as well because we saw those folks leave....the guys have long hard days traveling....it was late....there was 20 something fans and if they stop there's no telling how long it'll be before they're on the bus. Plus, they make money with the meet and greets for what we were trying for free.

So after they all got on the bus nearly all the people left, except for me, my son and three other guys. And we just continued to wait there along the wall of the venue. After about 20 minutes...(it's nearing 1:00am) we see MP kind of stick his head between the curtain in the cab of the bus and take a peek...my son waved to him....then he disappeared again.

FF about 10 minutes and the bus driver is making his checks of the wheels and all the outside things and it looks like they're about to pull away. BUT...one of the other busses apparently were missing some folks and crew from that bus went back inside to find them. About 5 minutes after that none other than MP opens the door of the bus and greets us five who were standing there!!

He was very gracious...signed a drum  head and sticks for one guy....one dude took off his bright white shoe and MP singed that...then he greeted me and my son and was very nice. My son told him that he was the reason he started drumming to which MP replied "I'm sorry"...but...he then talked with us for a good 5 minutes...took a couple pictures and I have the feeling he'd have kept talking but we really didn't want him to feel obligated to stay out there with us.

So we told him once again how grateful we were that he stepped out to say hi and talk and said thanks about a dozen more times and he was telling us he hoped we'd come back for the fall tour and he stepped back onto the bus and we walked away with a heck of a memory...so..yeah....we got to meet MP after the show and my son got to meet his musical hero. (we met him at a Neal Morse Band Meet and Greet a few years back but this was WAY cooler!!)

Glad to hear y'all had a great time! (pics snipped from the quote for space)
 
I wish my DT fandom was as strong now as it was years ago; I would have made that sojourn up to Chicago as well this weekend, but it is what it is.    

[TheCountOfNYC]

I finally got my tickets. I legitimately almost broke down crying at work as soon as the transaction went through. After some financial struggles, I wasn't sure if I'd be able to make this tour, especially once the RCMH tickets sold out quickly. I also had to save money for my best friend's bachelor party, which was this weekend. Once I was clear of this weekend, I had just enough money left to get tickets for the Connecticut show, mostly thanks to PayPal's payment plan option. I'm actually gonna get to see my favorite song live, something that I may not have had the chance to do again if I missed this tour.

[Awaken]

I'm pretty sure we're going to have a little pre-show meetup if you get to the show a little early.  Either way - glad you're going to get to see the show and (I'm assuming) 8VM.  I also missed this one during previous tours so that song specifically is the highlight of this show for me.  Really looking forward to Friday!

[TheOutlawXanadu]

I finally got my tickets. I legitimately almost broke down crying at work as soon as the transaction went through. After some financial struggles, I wasn't sure if I'd be able to make this tour, especially once the RCMH tickets sold out quickly. I also had to save money for my best friend's bachelor party, which was this weekend. Once I was clear of this weekend, I had just enough money left to get tickets for the Connecticut show, mostly thanks to PayPal's payment plan option. I'm actually gonna get to see my favorite song live, something that I may not have had the chance to do again if I missed this tour.

I'm not sure how long it has been deemed acceptable to ask people to be in your wedding and then pay zillions of dollars for dress/parties/travel/etc. but man can that be brutal. We actually had to have a bit of an intervention with my sister a few years back because she's one of these people who has a million friends, which also meant she was spending literally thousands of dollars per year on being a bridesmaid.

[TheCountOfNYC]

I'm not sure how long it has been deemed acceptable to ask people to be in your wedding and then pay zillions of dollars for dress/parties/travel/etc. but man can that be brutal. We actually had to have a bit of an intervention with my sister a few years back because she's one of these people who has a million friends, which also meant she was spending literally thousands of dollars per year on being a bridesmaid.

Yeah it can be rough. In this case it wasn't so much that the plans were overly expensive. I don't make all that much money with my job and after some unforeseen expenses came out of nowhere months after I had agreed to the weekend plans, I had to pinch pennies to make sure I could pay my share and not screw over the rest of the people by forcing them to pay more to cover for me suddenly not being able to go. I survived though, so even had a great time this weekend despite all of the anxiety the financial side of it caused me, and my reward is FINALLY getting to see my favorite band with my favorite drummer.

[Glasser]

I'm pretty sure we're going to have a little pre-show meetup if you get to the show a little early.  Either way - glad you're going to get to see the show and (I'm assuming) 8VM.  I also missed this one during previous tours so that song specifically is the highlight of this show for me.  Really looking forward to Friday!

Where will that be? Stads mentioned a bar close by?

[Lonk]

Where will that be? Stads mentioned a bar close by?

Stad mentioned Archie Moore's (That's where a few of us met a few years back). I'm still unsure if I'm going but that's where I'll be if I do go.

[Awaken]

That's the place I recall, as well.  I'm hoping to get there around 5-ish will firm up later in the week.

the writing on the bus

[El Barto]

Yeah, I can confirm, the venue was terrible. Apparently the smoke from the fog machines couldn't vent properly (again, crappy venue), went out into the casino floor (also I didn't like that the venue was at a casino lol) and triggered the fire alarms.

We waited about 20 mins before the venue even confirmed there was no emergency and then they had to re-check every instrument. We also missed out on This is the Life and Vacant as they shortened the show. No Home in the encore but I expected that by that point.

There was one funny moment when James stuck the mic out to the crowd and it went flying off. People in the audience were scrambling to find it and hand it back to him. James mentioned later that there must be an evil spirit in the venue tonight lol

That MGM casino outside of Cleveland? Not the nicest venue, but I didn't hate it, either. Free soft drinks are always a plus, and if you want to use the head during intermission there are plenty around the casino. By and large I don't like casino gigs much, either, but it's mostly just the vibe. it's weird seeing a good band surrounded by the downtrodden pumping their paychecks into slot machines.

[gmillerdrake]

That's the place I recall, as well.  I'm hoping to get there around 5-ish will firm up later in the week.

the writing on the bus

The entire side of the bus had been 'vandalized' with some interesting statements. 

[Stadler]

Stad mentioned Archie Moore's (That's where a few of us met a few years back). I'm still unsure if I'm going but that's where I'll be if I do go.

That's the place I recall, as well.  I'm hoping to get there around 5-ish will firm up later in the week.

the writing on the bus

That's a pretty convenient place.  I'm not married to it, but I don't know of any other good places that close (it's a 5 minute drive to the venue).

I'm going to get there around 3, 3:30-ish, so I can get a seat.  No one has to rush; I'd just as soon get past Hartford early, that's a me thing.

Look forward to seeing you guys!!!

[yeshaberto]

Speaking of RCMH, I just found out my friend can't make it.  I've got one seat (better than I had for the 20th) and just would be cool to share it with someone who can use it.