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

[Setlist Scotty]

Lots of territories did not get shows....ON THIS LEG! I would bet my house on a 2nd leg around aug/Sept. Remember, DT has a history of capping "legs" to approximately 30-40 shows and therefore can't get everywhere at one time. As an example, NJ, FLA, ST.LOUIS, MILWAUKEE, and yes, WESTERN CANADA, among others are not in this leg. I'm sure most if not ALL will be hit on 2nd N.A. leg!

It's possible that some of those cities will be hit on a second leg, but no guarantees. Promoters in FL don't seem to come to an agreement with DT's booking agents for Evening With shows there for whatever reason most of the time. Milwaukee often gets skipped by bands in general since Chicago is only a 90-120 minute drive away. And if western Canada doesn't get included this time around, especially when the Pacific NW of the US is, IMO that's not a good sign.

It should be noted too that the North American tour leg does seem to be a bit longer than normal for DT, and they are playing at least a couple places they normally do not, such as MS and WV, which I think is a first for both. So why they couldn't have included a stop in St. Louis, Minneapolis, Milwaukee, Detroit, Pittsburgh, Quebec City and/or Vancouver is beyond me, since that could have filled things out so they could play RCMH on April 1st again (19 years to the day after the Score show) but it was not to be. Some of it was probably due to scheduling. The fact that all guys' kids are grown up now probably means sticking to the 5-weeks on the road restriction is no longer an issue, so adding a few more dates shouldn't be a big deal.

One other thing is that if the new album is not out until after this current North American run, then I would expect the setlist to be drastically different for when they would return. Keeping in mind I have *no* inside info, I'm becoming more of the mind that album 16 could be another concept album - whether Metropolis part 3 or not. If so, I could see that taking up set 1 with set 2 and the encore being a rotating set of older material, with 2 or 3 MM-era tracks being included per show (depending on how long they are). If this is true, it would give them all the reason in the world to return to many of the same cities throughout Europe, South America and North America that they are currently scheduled to play. If OTOH the new album is released before the NA run, *if* they do a second run through NA, then there's more hope some of those cities skipped over this time will be included then since the setlist won't probably be as different.

[emtee]

Just curious, Scotty, what gives you the sense that it will be a concept album? Primarily the length of time?

RCMH show would be amazing to do 1st set new album and 2nd set...who knows.

[hefdaddy42]

when I saw and sat in the first 5 rows CONSTANTLY for bands like Queen, Zep, The Who, Pink Floyd and many more HOF level acts in the 70s for LESS THAN 10 BUCKS it just blows my mind how TM gets away with this "dynamic pricing" bullshit!

No offense, because I get the frustration, but whatever prices were 50 years ago are kind of irrelevant.  The ENTIRE music industry has changed how business is done completely 5 times since then.

Just like I start my car with a push button now instead of manually putting a tool in the front and cranking it.  Everything is different.

Of course, none of that absolves Ticketmaster of their shady business practices. 

[Setlist Scotty]

Just curious, Scotty, what gives you the sense that it will be a concept album? Primarily the length of time?

Just based on what little we know. For one thing, JP commented in a social media clip that we have no idea what we're about to get hit with (or however he said it). That could just be typical new album hype, but being MP's first album back with the band, I can see them trying to pull out all the stops, and what better way than with a concept album?

Also, the fact that they are holding off on releasing the album for as long as it appears that they are. If it were a traditional song-based album, then they could perform different selections of tracks intermixed with old material in much the same way that they did for the 20th Anniversary tour, which also happened to be in support of Octavarium. In fact, I was of the mind they would do a reverse chronology type setlist, assuming the full album would be out before the start of the tour. OTOH, if the album is a concept album, they'll want to perform it in full which will take up at least one set, reducing the amount of time left for playing older material. So being that they're hyping this tour up as the 40th Anniversary tour, I think they'll want to feature a good portion of the catalog on their first run through each territory before releasing the album to focus more on it. This would also give them the perfect opportunity (celebrating their catalog) to do the full 12SS as MP had initially wanted to do for the tour in support of album #11 before he split.

And speaking of what MP intended before he split, he wanted album #11 to be a concept. So that's just another reason why I'm becoming more of the mind that the new album could very well be a concept.

[Shadowmangini]

I wouldn't be surprised if it's a semi-concept album, one more like 8VM than SFAM, where the concept is more complexly delivered instead of being narrative-driven. I don't expect a rock opera unless that Metropolis pt. 3 convincer from the other thread was right. I don't even expect a 6DOIT style suite but if we get one then wow!!! 

[MinistroRaven]

If it is a concept album, then they could play all of it in one set and then all Scenes as part of the 25 anniversary of that album. 

[Shadowmangini]

Oooh!! I like the way you think man!   

[cramx3]

Looks no different for NYC than the presale selection.

[emtee]

Thanks, Scotty. Makes sense to me.

We wait...

[cramx3]

Public on sale and so many tickets for Philly/NYC, I was seeing if I could scoop up something worthy today and doesn't look like it.  Seems best bet will be to wait until day of or close to it to score tickets, these shows likely won't sell out unless something changes.

[TAC]

Just like I start my car with a push button

Wait.... You can start your car by pushing a button??

[jk47]

Wait.... You can start your car by pushing a button??

I turn mine on with an app on my phone...

[Lonk]

I turn mine on with an app on my phone...

Yup, I usually turn my car on from my phone, a few minutes before I leave work, really helpful on summer days when the car gets steaming hot inside, or cold winter days.

[cramx3]

Wait.... You can start your car by pushing a button??

I really hope you meant to use the green font 

From DT on twitter promoting the sale today:

Tickets go on general sale TODAY for our USA 🇺🇸 and Canada 🇨🇦 shows in 2025!

worded almost like this is it for NA in 2025, but vague enough I guess if some have hope for a fall NA tour.

[El Barto]

Public on sale and so many tickets for Philly/NYC, I was seeing if I could scoop up something worthy today and doesn't look like it.  Seems best bet will be to wait until day of or close to it to score tickets, these shows likely won't sell out unless something changes.

I'm kind of torn. On the one hand there are a couple of seats in the $126 tier that I wouldn't mind having. At the same time this didn't sell well at all and scalpers seem to have bought in somewhat hard. I could see this being one I get into under "face," and that always appeals to me.

[cramx3]

I'm kind of torn. On the one hand there are a couple of seats in the $126 tier that I wouldn't mind having. At the same time this didn't sell well at all and scalpers seem to have bought in somewhat hard. I could see this being one I get into under "face," and that always appeals to me.

Yeah, I almost bought a $240 ticket this morning because the seat, while on the far JP side, was like 4th row and seemed like good value compared to what I had been seeing... but I opted not to and someone scooped it up shortly after.  Then there's all the $126 seats that seem fine, but like you, I've got to think deals will be had come show day.  The venue is very big for DT standards and while there is hype for the band, it seems the hype hasn't translated to HUGE ticket sales.  That Philly show looks no different than a typical Philly show in terms of sales for example as well. RCMH does look like it already sold better than some of the past DT shows in NYC, but it seems everyone is thinking it's a guarantee they film it and are going all in.  I'm not sold on that yet. 

[TheBarstoolWarrior]

I am with Scotty that it appears more likely a concept album than not. Especially after the post in another thread where JR says we will not get updates for a while. I don't think they'd just sit on a finished recording for months, maintaining silence unless there is something larger in the pipeline. Plus there is the fact that they're doing 2 tours close to each other most likely.

[El Barto]

Yeah, I almost bought a $240 ticket this morning because the seat, while on the far JP side, was like 4th row and seemed like good value compared to what I had been seeing... but I opted not to and someone scooped it up shortly after.  Then there's all the $126 seats that seem fine, but like you, I've got to think deals will be had come show day.  The venue is very big for DT standards and while there is hype for the band, it seems the hype hasn't translated to HUGE ticket sales.  That Philly show looks no different than a typical Philly show in terms of sales for example as well. RCMH does look like it already sold better than some of the past DT shows in NYC, but it seems everyone is thinking it's a guarantee they film it and are going all in.  I'm not sold on that yet. 

Also, what they sold were all of the expensive seats. Actual fans bought in early and paid top dollar. DT isn't a band where casual concert goers are likely to decide the day of the show to buy tickets. Particularly at $110 for get-ins. They'll still sell some more, but what we see now isn't too far from what we'll see come showtime.

Unless they announce they're filming it in advance. That'll get some more people to travel, but still not enough to sell a ton more. For my part, it'd be neat if they filmed it, but I'm just looking at it as a really cool show that would be fun to see. A DVD would just be a bonus.

[Stadler]

Just based on what little we know. For one thing, JP commented in a social media clip that we have no idea what we're about to get hit with (or however he said it). That could just be typical new album hype, but being MP's first album back with the band, I can see them trying to pull out all the stops, and what better way than with a concept album?

Also, the fact that they are holding off on releasing the album for as long as it appears that they are. If it were a traditional song-based album, then they could perform different selections of tracks intermixed with old material in much the same way that they did for the 20th Anniversary tour, which also happened to be in support of Octavarium. In fact, I was of the mind they would do a reverse chronology type setlist, assuming the full album would be out before the start of the tour. OTOH, if the album is a concept album, they'll want to perform it in full which will take up at least one set, reducing the amount of time left for playing older material. So being that they're hyping this tour up as the 40th Anniversary tour, I think they'll want to feature a good portion of the catalog on their first run through each territory before releasing the album to focus more on it. This would also give them the perfect opportunity (celebrating their catalog) to do the full 12SS as MP had initially wanted to do for the tour in support of album #11 before he split.

And speaking of what MP intended before he split, he wanted album #11 to be a concept. So that's just another reason why I'm becoming more of the mind that the new album could very well be a concept.

And that does comport with "we're picking up where we left off..." too.  That makes more sense to me than "it's going to be BC&SL Part Deux".

[TheCountOfNYC]

All of the advertisements I've seen today for this tour have been showing pictures from the 20th anniversary tour. Idk if this is an Easter Egg or not, but I do think it's interesting.

[MirrorMask]

And speaking of what MP intended before he split, he wanted album #11 to be a concept. So that's just another reason why I'm becoming more of the mind that the new album could very well be a concept.

I wouldn't mind a "classic" concept album.

SFAM was one, but it was tied to a specific song and could not stand alone - I mean, it absolutely can, but there's more enjoyment in the album if you know Metropolis.

The Astonishing was a double-disc rock opera with many characters.

A more "standard", single disc concept album, no baggage, no callbacks, no "so long that it needs its own separated show", just a  good story that starts and ends, a self-contained musical movie so to speak, would be cool.

[countoftuscany42]

That sounds more like TM's dynamic pricing, since platinum is a set price per tier. However, it wouldn't surprise me at all if they've blurred the lines between those things, too, just to further obfuscate what prices actually are.

Platinum tickets use dynamic pricing and not a set price, that is why you see crazy high ticket prices like $700 for a front row seat. They're valued as "better" seats (good sight lines, front rows of sections) so dynamic pricing is enabled and the price is based on demand, typically determined by comparing with what is available on secondary market sites like stubhub to undercut their price.

Standard tickets don't generally have dynamic pricing, but can be repriced at any time as determined by both artist management and the show promoter.

[cramx3]

Platinum tickets use dynamic pricing and not a set price, that is why you see crazy high ticket prices like $700 for a front row seat. They're valued as "better" seats (good sight lines, front rows of sections) so dynamic pricing is enabled and the price is based on demand, typically determined by comparing with what is available on secondary market sites like stubhub to undercut their price.

Standard tickets don't generally have dynamic pricing, but can be repriced at any time as determined by both artist management and the show promoter.

Yeah, this is my understanding as well.  Which also makes it entirely possible that the face value drops for shows that aren't selling well come close to the date.  That's what I did for last years NYC Dreamsonic show.  They lowered face value the day of, or just before (I forget) for the seats in the back.

[hefdaddy42]

If it is a concept album, then they could play all of it in one set and then all Scenes as part of the 25 anniversary of that album.

Hell no, they just did all of Scenes on a recent tour.

Wait.... You can start your car by pushing a button??

Goddammit TAC.  *writes down another entry*

[pg1067]

If it is a concept album, then they could play all of it in one set and then all Scenes as part of the 25 anniversary of that album.

They just did that, though.  Do they really need to play the whole thing every 5 years just because it's a 5X year anniversary?

[Stadler]

Goddammit TAC.  *writes down another entry*

That is truly awe-inspiring even for TAC.  My 2013 car starts with a push button.  2013!!!!!!!

[hefdaddy42]

That is truly awe-inspiring even for TAC.  My 2013 car starts with a push button.  2013!!!!!!!

Yeah, so does my 2014.

Meanwhile TAC is living in 1993 lol

[pg1067]

That is truly awe-inspiring even for TAC.  My 2013 car starts with a push button.  2013!!!!!!!

My 2019 car uses a key (although I've rented a ton of push button cars).

My prior 2005 car had both a CD player and a cassette deck!

[Chino]

They just did that, though.  Do they really need to play the whole thing every 5 years just because it's a 5X year anniversary?

As good of an album as Scenes is, I think it's time to retire most of it. DT's played a lot of it many times over throughout the years. The only exception I'd make would be for Finally Free, and that's only because MP slays the outro. MM kind of bored me with his take on it, and I'd like to see it played properly one last time :never use this:

[El Barto]

Platinum tickets use dynamic pricing and not a set price, that is why you see crazy high ticket prices like $700 for a front row seat. They're valued as "better" seats (good sight lines, front rows of sections) so dynamic pricing is enabled and the price is based on demand, typically determined by comparing with what is available on secondary market sites like stubhub to undercut their price.

Standard tickets don't generally have dynamic pricing, but can be repriced at any time as determined by both artist management and the show promoter.

I was of the impression that there's another option where some of the better seats just have a static, higher price. Not the artist package deal, but just a premium seat option with a premium, static price. I had assumed that was platinum.

Part of the reason I assumed this is because platinum seats are usually labeled "Platinum Seats." When I've seen them they remained static, right up until the day of the show or so, and then revert back to standard pricing if they haven't sold. I'm always on the lookout for those, and for a band like Tool they're awesome. The tickets you referred to last night [I think] weren't designated platinum. They were just stupidly expensive, based on the buying pattern.

Again, this is just one of the things TM does to obfuscate the details.


edit: TM's official description is exactly what you describe. Odd that I haven't seen it in practice, but I almost never go to high demand shows like that. What concerns me is if they're selling these dynamically priced tickets without making it known that they're doing so. I haven't seen any "platinum" tickets listed on this tour.

[emtee]

I knew when I bought my wife her new vehicle and it had push start, that she would lock herself out so I told her to keep the spare keys in her purse ALWAYS. Only took about 2 months before she did exactly what I predicted and she called me and said, "thanks" for the suggestion.

After all these years of turning a key, it's kind of easy to forget the keys even with a warning alarm.

[Chino]

I knew when I bought my wife her new vehicle and it had push start, that she would lock herself out so I told her to keep the spare keys in her purse ALWAYS. Only took about 2 months before she did exactly what I predicted and she called me and said, "thanks" for the suggestion.

After all these years of turning a key, it's kind of easy to forget the keys even with a warning alarm.

My new car will not lock if the fob is inside it with no passengers. It's pretty cool.

[gzarruk]

As good of an album as Scenes is, I think it's time to retire most of it. DT's played a lot of it many times over throughout the years.

I think the same thing about IAW.

[jk47]

My new car will not lock if the fob is inside it with no passengers. It's pretty cool.

Kids today will never know what a big deal this is 

[King Postwhore]

Tim never disappoints.  Probably still owns a dot matrix printer.