First and Last DT show you’ve seen.

[Schurftkut]

and overdubbed in the US ;-)

[Setlist Scotty]

First was 2009 on the black clouds tour. Everything felt wrong, they looked like there was some major issue going on and either the band was gonna end or someone was gonna leave and that's exactly what ended up happening.

What city did you see them in, and what exactly gave you the feeling that everything was wrong?

[DreamerTV]

My first one was in Villa Pisani, Stra, on June 23rd 2005

Metropolis Pt. 1: The Miracle and the Sleeper
The Root of All Evil
Just Let Me Breathe
Lie
Endless Sacrifice
Panic Attack
Never Enough
Sacrificed Sons
Act II: Scene Six: Home
Act II: Scene Eight: The Spirit Carries On
In the Name of God

Encore:
As I Am
Pull Me Under

Last one was in Padova (Italy) on May 8th 2022 - damn, already more than 2 years ago

The Alien
6:00
Awaken the Master
Endless Sacrifice
Bridges in the Sky
Invisible Monster
About to Crash
The Ministry of Lost Souls
A View From the Top of the World

Encore:
The Count of Tuscany

[nobloodyname]

First was 2009 on the black clouds tour. Everything felt wrong, they looked like there was some major issue going on and either the band was gonna end or someone was gonna leave and that's exactly what ended up happening. 

Last was 2023 for the on top of the world tour- Didn't have much interest in the band at that point. Didn't want to go, but my uncle wanted to so I went. Got high as holy hell on edibles and it then became the best concert experience I ever had. So yeah, alls well that ends well.

Amazing what drugs can do. I saw The Astonishing on the first and second nights in London. The first show was probably the worst DT show I've seen. The second night, on which we were curtained before sitting down, was brilliant! Partly down to the fact we were in the second row and in front of JP (felt like he was playing in my living room) but mostly down to the inebriation.

[Phoenix87x]

What city did you see them in, and what exactly gave you the feeling that everything was wrong?

Philadelphia.

The energy felt wrong. The first show with mangini everyone was smiling and interacting and there was a real positive vibe of unity. The show I am referring to, everyone looked like they were going through the motions, like they were clocking in for work. Portnoy was smiling, but no one else was or at least that's how I recall it.   It didn't feel like a cohesive band that were all clicking together. It felt like something was at a breaking point where something significant was about to happen. And Portnoy was gone soon after. 

[Setlist Scotty]

Philadelphia.

The energy felt wrong. The first show with mangini everyone was smiling and interacting and there was a real positive vibe of unity. The show I am referring to, everyone looked like they were going through the motions, like they were clocking in for work. Portnoy was smiling, but no one else was or at least that's how I recall it.   It didn't feel like a cohesive band that were all clicking together. It felt like something was at a breaking point where something significant was about to happen. And Portnoy was gone soon after. 

Interesting. So maybe MP had a point about wanting the band to take a hiatus to recharge their collective batteries.

[Schurftkut]

re-charge from the energy-absorbing MP yeah

[cygnusaz]

First show, Fall 1989 opening for Marillion in NYC.  Like I've posted before, I don't remember much about it. So, my 'real' first show was 10/28/1994 at Manhattan Center. Amazing gig, which you can find on Youtube.

Last show, 3/2022, Raleigh, NC.  Energy level was 'eh', I could tell this version of the band was winding down.

Next show, 2/8/2025, Raleigh, NC. 

[cygnusaz]

Dreamsonic was a disaster sales wise. Friend went to Phoenix, the last show, and said it was maybe 40% sold. Most shows on that tour were 50% sold at best. DT were in trouble, promoters were not going to book them in these size venues again - they had no choice but to take on another dramatic turn of events...

Now, Raleigh, NC is almost sold out. RCM is selling well. Some of the other markets they played on Dreamsonic (Phoenix) aren't selling as well, but they just played there about a year ago.

[pg1067]

First show, Fall 1989 opening for Marillion in NYC.  Like I've posted before, I don't remember much about it. So, my 'real' first show was 10/28/1994 at Manhattan Center. Amazing gig, which you can find on Youtube.

It's actually interesting to think about how much we really remember from these long-ago concerts.  I saw them 4 times on the I&W tour cycle.

1. 11/12/1992:  I remember this show pretty well.  I remember being excited that they were opening with Metropolis and being a bit disappointed that, despite the tiny venue, JM's bass solo wasn't really audible.  I remember what my friend and I called "the pirate song" (Only a Matter of Time) since neither of us knew WDADU).  And I very much remember talking with the band (sans KM) in the parking lot afterwards.

2. 11/23/1992:  After show #1, DT played the next night in West Hollywood and then played three shows in Japan.  Eleven days after show #1, I saw them again in San Diego for the first show after they returned from Japan.  It was the same set list, and the only thing I really remember about that show was that it was right across the street from a strip club.  Since we had gotten down to San Diego pretty early, we visited said club for an hour or so.

3. 2/12/1993:  DT returned to southern California and played the Palace in Hollywood.  According to MP's tourography, a band called Psychotic Waltz opened, but I have no recollection of that.  As the tourography page also notes, "Alan White and Tony Kaye (both of Yes) showed up at this show (as can be seen on the Live in Tokyo video). After this show, [DT took] a couple of days off to shoot the video for Take the Time, while in LA."  I don't remember much about the show itself, but I do remember seeing White and Kaye in the parking lot afterwards.  I was looking around while talking with my friend and caught sight of the two Yesmen.  I then said, very loudly, "hey...that's Alan White!" which caused him to jump a little.  I recall sheepishly apologizing for startling him.  Thinking about it more, I suspect that this was the show where I was able to add KM's signature to my I&W CD book.

4. 6/3/1993:  This one was at the Celebrity Theatre in Anaheim.  It was a notably larger venue than the first three shows and the first that wasn't GA.  The Galactic Cowboys opened and came on stage with DT to sing the chorus of Take the Time.  The show featured Puppies on Acid and To Live Forever, neither of which I particularly cared for, and the latter of which I assumed was an unfinished song that would turn up on the next album.  We also got Eve, which was a cool way to kick off the encore and lead into Learning to Live.

[cygnusaz]

It's actually interesting to think about how much we really remember from these long-ago concerts.  I saw them 4 times on the I&W tour cycle.

First concert I ever saw was Thompson Twins at Radio City Music Hall in 1987... I remember that one really well strangely. I also remember the 4th time I saw DT; 1/31/2000 Celebrity Theater, Phoenix, AZ. A historic show as it was the first time 'Metropolis pt. 2: Scenes from a Memory' was played in it's entirely. 

But that 1989 show is a blur. I've been over well over 400 concerts/gigs since 1987, hands down that show in Phoenix is in my top 5.

[cygnusaz]

Interesting. So maybe MP had a point about wanting the band to take a hiatus to recharge their collective batteries.

I think it was just MP who needed a break. DT made 3 great records(Events, Time, World), 1 good one (self-titled) and 1 really strange concept album in the 13 years he was out. There is a reason 'The Alien' won a Grammy; it's a masterpiece when you really listen to all the intricacies, musicianship, especially MMs playing on it.

Bringing back MP has nothing do to with creative challenges or good song writing and album quality; it has to do with ticket sales and legacy in my opinion. Again, Dreamsonic sold very poorly. Another album/tour cycle without MP would be worse and could've resulted in DT back to club level like the early 90s. 

Keep in mind; MP never 'went away', he was actually more active and in the press than any other member.  He played with countless other bands, all who have fans that may now follow him back to DT.  He basically was an ambassador for DT and could bring swells of AX7, Winery Dogs, Sons of Apollo, etc etc etc fans in.

Now, they are selling well, many shows like Raleigh almost sold out. They booked RCM again and it's selling decently.

DT have 'maybe' another decade? JP, JM, MP are in their late 50s, they should be good for another 5 - 10 years, maybe. But JL is 61, JR is 67..

Studio album wise, age shouldn't be too much of a factor. It's the touring and live shows; that's where age is going to have an impact at some point.

[Learning2Live]

1st show: 10/28/1997 in Columbus, OH at Alrosa Villa (FII tour).
Last show: 2/22/2022 in Detroit, MI at The Fillmore (A View tour).

I've seen them on every tour cycle at least once in between those timeframes with the exception of DreamSonic last year.

[Deadeye21]

Oh, easy answer.
Palais Theatre, Melbourne, September 20th 2017. Images, Words and Beyond tour. I do believe it's the last show they ever played in Australia, and may remain so. Was a great show, but I hope it's not the last time I see the guys.

[Awaken]

First show (only because we had A LOT of people there for Moriah, lol)
Images and Tour - 2nd American Leg
1/10/1993 Hadley, MA

(previous show) (return to list of shows) (next show)

Venue: Vertex
Other Act(s): Moriah opened

Set List:
Simpsons Theme (intro tape)
1. Metropolis Part I/
2. A Fortune in Lies
3. Under a Glass Moon
4. Surrounded
5. Ytsejam (w/ drum solo)
6. Another Day
7. Pull Me Under
8. Take the Time
~~~encore~~~
9. Wait For Sleep (w/ keyboard intro)
10. Learning to Live
Twin Peaks (outro tape)

Vocals: James LaBrie
Guitar: John Petrucci
Keyboards: Kevin Moore
Bass: John Myung
Drums: Mike Portnoy



Last Show:
DreamSonic
Bridgeport CT

[OpenYourEyes311]

August 8, 1998. Great Woods, Mansfield, MA. My birthday present from my dad was to go see two of his favorite bands, ELP and Deep Purple. From what I remember, ELP killed it, Deep Purple was pretty rocking and loud. And then there was the opener, Dream Theater. We had never heard these guys, but they made an impression on me. We enjoyed the snippets of Have a Cigar and Enter Sandman in Peruvian Skies as they were our favorite bands' songs, respectively. I remember him leaning over to me during Hollow Years and saying "This must be their Lucky Man." I don't remember much else about the concert. They apparently played New Millennium, which after 25 or so more shows I have not seen again since. I wish I didn't wait 5 years to pick up Scenes From a Memory. I had it in my hand in 1999, but I couldn't afford it. I wish I had gotten it. I would have loved to have seen the Scenes and Six Degrees tours. But alas, I became a fan in 2003 after finally getting Scenes.

April 1, 2004. Orpheum Theater, Boston, MA. My first headlining, evening with show, first show as a fan. Me and my two buddies got there late (stupid trains) and walked in during The Mirror. It was LOUD. That's the first thing I remember. We could hear them playing from outside. This show got me hooked on seeing them live. The albums were great, but holy moly were they awesome to hear live. Beyond This Life with a massive improv jam. Hollow Years with the grandiose guitar solo. The Glass Prison right into This Dying Soul. My buddy's favorite song Another Day. Most of Train of Thought, which I had been really digging ever since it came out. And then A Change of Seasons to end it. Incredible night.

July 2, 2023. Leader Bank Pavilion, Boston, MA. The last show I saw, we had a group of us. While after the show, many of the group were complaining about James's voice (not me, I thought he was fine for most of the night), during the show I was pretty pumped at the setlist. Mainly for the three songs off Six Degrees. Solitary Shell until Grand Finale was just an incredible run. It brought me to tears, as it reminded of the older shows (Worcester '04, Boston '06, NYC '06, Boston '09). They hadn't played that stuff in so long, it was great to hear again. Pull Me Under, strangely, was also a highlight of the night as it made the audience pop off a little more than they had been previously that night. The new songs were alright, I'm glad they swapped out two songs from the year before, but the View album doesn't do it for me all that much. Still glad to hear six of seven songs. Count of Tuscany was weirdly disappointing, as they had played it the previous year, I was kind of hoping for something else to fill those 20 minutes. Great song and performance, though. Closing with Spirit was an odd choice for me, but I still had a great time.

March 15, 2025. This is the next Boston show. I have tickets to this. I may see one or two shows before it (Philly and Wallingford are on my list of maybes), but this one is the next definite. I'm hoping for songs off most of their albums, seeing as it's a 40th anniversary celebration. Something off both When Dream and Day Unite and Falling Into Infinity is high on the list. The Killing Hand or Only a Matter of Time are preferred. Burning My Soul would be sick. Maybe I finally see New Millennium again. Time will tell. I have not missed a Boston show since before 2004, and I ain't stopping any time soon. I'm excited to keep the train going next year.

[TheBarstoolWarrior]

If your first show was at the Theater at MSG, then this was definitely the show. The only other time they played the same venue was last year on the DreamSonic tour. They did play MSG proper, but that was opening for Maiden in 2010.

And yes, at that 2004 show there were others that played with MP during his solo, however it was people up front and it was on a tom that he brought out to the front of the stage. But he didn't want people who paid for the good seats to have the chance, so he asked a crew member to find someone in the very last row who was still having the time of his life despite having crappy seats. That guy was the one who actually played side by side with MP on his Siamese Monster. It was also the show where Eugene Friesen came out and played cello along with the band for the last 3 songs of the second set (Vacant, Stream of Consciousness and Disappear). And it also was the very first time they played Disappear live, with the only other time being the L@B show later in the month.

The co-headliner they did with Satch was 2 years earlier, and they played Jones Beach on that leg of the tour.

This is awesome, thanks for that. I actually remember Mike said this almost exactly. Sort of weird how the mind work sometimes...I was a guitar player but took away no memories of John and instead left with lasting MP memories.

[Ben_Jamin]

First Show:

Gigantour

7/30/2005 Albuquerque, NM

Venue: Journal Amphitheater

Set List:
1. The Glass Prison
2. This Dying Soul
3. Panic Attack
4. Just Let Me Breathe
5. Under a Glass Moon
6. Never Enough
7. Endless Sacrifice
8. Home
~~~encore~~~
9. Pull Me Under/
10. Metropolis pt 1

What made this first time amazing was meeting my cousin at the top of the grass to get into the lower seating, which was when the first bell of TGP started up. Hilariously, my cousin I went with ended up pulling out our actual seat tickets so we had to go all the way around. We got in our seats just in time for the heavy intro. Looking back, this was a great heavy set.


My Last:

Dreamsonic
07/26/23  Phoenix, AZ
Arizona Financial Theatre

1. The Alien
2. Sleeping Giant
3. Caught in a Web
4. Answering the Call
5. Solitary Shell
6. About to Crash (Reprise)
7. Losing Time/Grand Finale
8. Pull Me Under
9. The Count of Tuscany

Encore:
10. Amazing Grace
(John Newton cover) (with Mike Keneally)
11. Act II: Scene Eight: The Spirit Carries On
(with Devin Townsend) (also with Tosin Abasi, Mike Kenneally and Darby Todd)

Note: Last show with Mike Mangini


Not only was the setlist amazing, it was pretty astonishing to know after, I had just witnessed the last time I would see Mangini with DT. Knowing that just made the show even more special for me, besides being the last show of the tour.

[jasc15]

First was the Live Scenes from NY show at Roseland.

First show was April 1st 2006 at Radio City Music Hall, recorded as SCORE.

And this was my last.  Lucky to be a NYC area DT fan.

I am actually trying to remember the date of the first DT show I saw. The only song I remember was definitely played was Another Day. It was not an evening with but I forget the opener. I remember Portnoy's drum solo. He invited some kid from the back of the venue to come up and play drums with him. It was such a cool thing to see.

Looks like Setlist Scotty got you straight.  I was there too, and actually have a bootleg of this show somehow, if you're interested.  Have you watched Live at Budokan (of course you have)?  I feel like I was there since going to the MSG show.  Same deal with Mike getting an audience member from the back row to play drums, and I think it was recorded only a few weeks after MSG.  Also I remember Eugene playing cello, and they played ACOS.

So with the big tour coming I thought it would be fun to discuss the first and last times we saw DT. I think we all come from different eras of the band so it should be interesting!

My first show -
Evening with DT NYC Beacon Theater 2002.
I think I was maybe 14 at the time. DT was my favorite band and my dad surprised me with ticket to one of their shows during the six degrees tour. I remember them opening with glass prison and I was blown away by Portnoys monster set! They also played master of puppets in it's entirety!

I was also at this show, and was completely surprised by MoP.  What a show.

[TheBarstoolWarrior]

First was the Live Scenes from NY show at Roseland.
And this was my last.  Lucky to be a NYC area DT fan.
Looks like Setlist Scotty got you straight.  I was there too, and actually have a bootleg of this show somehow, if you're interested.  Have you watched Live at Budokan (of course you have)?  I feel like I was there since going to the MSG show.  Same deal with Mike getting an audience member from the back row to play drums, and I think it was recorded only a few weeks after MSG.  Also I remember Eugene playing cello, and they played ACOS.
I was also at this show, and was completely surprised by MoP.  What a show.

Would love that if you don't mind! I don't have too many memories of the show but I am interested in revisiting it now that a lot of time has passed. I have Budokan on DVD but to be honest I never compared it to my concert experience because I got to watch Budokan again and again over the years. When I saw them live I was a year or two exposed to I&W. I thought it was an incredible album (and still do) but wasn't as enthusiastic about the rest of the catalog. I didn't bother seeing them live again until a Dramatic Tour of Events but i am curious about revisiting that show.

[Max Kuehnau]

it's interesting, because I attended the TOT tour as well (my last MP era show for various reasons) and the show I attended featured Honour Thy Father (one of the few times they ever played it on the tour)
This one here:
TRAIN OF THOUGHT WORLD TOUR - EUROPEAN LEG
01/24/2004 Stuttgart-Boblingen, Germany

Venue:   Sporthalle
Other Act(s):   No Other Acts

Set List:
Band History Video (Intro Tape)
As I Am
This Dying Soul
Caught In A Web
Peruvian Skies
War Inside My Head
The Test That Stumped Them All
Under A Glass Moon
Endless Sacrifice
Finally Free
~~~Intermission~~~
New Millennium
Honor Thy Father
The Ones Who Help To Set The Sun
Goodnight Kiss
Solitary Shell
A Mind Beside Itself:
I Erotomania
Ii Voices (Abridged)
Iii The Silent Man (Electric Version)
In The Name Of God
~~~Encore~~~
Metropolis Part 1

[jasc15]

Would love that if you don't mind!

Of course!  Now to figure out how...

[TheBarstoolWarrior]

Dreamsonic was a disaster sales wise. Friend went to Phoenix, the last show, and said it was maybe 40% sold. Most shows on that tour were 50% sold at best. DT were in trouble, promoters were not going to book them in these size venues again - they had no choice but to take on another dramatic turn of events...

Now, Raleigh, NC is almost sold out. RCM is selling well. Some of the other markets they played on Dreamsonic (Phoenix) aren't selling as well, but they just played there about a year ago.

How do you know it was such a disaster that promoters were going to stop booking them in such size venues again?

Don't get me wrong, I think you're right that DreamSonic attendance was weak but curious how do you know it was THAT bad?

[cfmoran13]

First Show - 1994-10-27, Hammerjack's, Baltimore, MD - Made the trip up to Baltimore from James Madison University.  'Awake' had come out 3 weeks earlier.  I didn't know Kevin Moore was gone and had no idea who was playing keyboards until they introduced Derek.

https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/dream-theater/1994/hammerjacks-baltimore-md-33d6cca5.html

Last Show - 2022-03-09, Count Basie Theater, Red Bank, NJ

https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/dream-theater/2022/hackensack-meridian-health-theatre-red-bank-nj-4b898316.html

[DragonAttack]

First Show - 1994-10-27, Hammerjack's, Baltimore, MD - Made the trip up to Baltimore from James Madison University.  'Awake' had come out 3 weeks earlier.  I didn't know Kevin Moore was gone and had no idea who was playing keyboards until they introduced Derek.

Nice!  The wife got to meet Brian May backstage there that year.

First was 2009 on the black clouds tour. Everything felt wrong, they looked like there was some major issue going on and either the band was gonna end or someone was gonna leave and that's exactly what ended up happening. 

I saw them in Philly and DC/Baltimore the next night on that tour.  Yeah, something seemed quite amiss during both nights.

First show:  Pier Six Pavilion in Baltimore 2003.  I've told this before.  The wife and I went to see Queensryche.  Fates Warning opened.  Next band comes out, lead guitarist in a sleeveless hoodie out front, bald headed guy with a goatee and shades comes out, and I'm like 'this DT group looks kind of rough'...not knowing it's Tate and Qryche. 

Never having heard of Dream Theater, we did stick around for half the set (I had to drive the wife home and then head in to work.  She had planned on taking a taxi).  Bought 'Six Degrees' the next day. 

Last:  Dreamsonic in Philly last year.  15th DT show, (sixth time hosting a preshow), one JP and MP show in DC, and one Jordan show in Annapolis.

Vegas, Boston, and NYC next year (trips had already been planned to those cities before the tour dates were announced)

[voncorn]

First show: June 14, 2010 Greenwood Village, Colorado (Fiddler's Green Ampitheatre) -  opening for Iron Maiden

Last show: September 30, 2011 Salt Lake City, Utah (Kingsbury Hall)



I'm doubling. my DT show count in February 2025 for the Highland and Inglewood shows. Woo!

[crystalstars17]

So with the big tour coming I thought it would be fun to discuss the first and last times we saw DT. I think we all come from different eras of the band so it should be interesting!

First - Boston (Orpheum), 2017.

Latest - Bridgeport CT, 2023.

[commanderbob]

First: 1997 Detroit, MI (St Andrew's Hall)
Last:  2010 Clarkston, MI (DTE Energy Center - opening for Iron Maiden )

[red barchetta]

I'm a late bloomer.  A young co-worker taught me about them in 2009.  I was 48 and BC&SL tour was my first.  My last was on their last tour with Mangini.

In fact, I saw all their tour since BC&SL except The Astonishing which I was never able to dig.  I have friends who went and never got back to a DT tour since.

[lightningbolt]

First - Atlanta 2005 on the Gigantour:

The Root of All Evil
The Glass Prison
Panic Attack
Under a Glass Moon
Fatal Tragedy
Endless Sacrifice
Just Let Me Breathe
Lie
As I Am
---
Pull Me Under / Metropolis Pt. 1

I tagged along to this show with my DT obsessed buddy.  I didn't specifically know any of their songs.  Any time he'd play them for me in the car it would be a blur of notes.  Wish I could go back and watch this show now, it would definitely have been a lot more meaningful.

That being said, it was a fun performance to watch.  I remember the Clockwork Orange theme before they came on, the Root of All Evil, and Pull Me Under / Myung's bass solo.  We left after DT and didn't stick around for Megadeath.

Last - Raleigh 2019:

Untethered Angel
A Nightmare to Remember
Paralyzed
Barstool Warrior
In the Presence of Enemies Pt. 1
Pale Blue Dot
---
All of Scenes from a Memory
---
At Wit's End

Great show.  My buddies and I also saw them in Charlotte earlier in the year.  Was happy to get Paralyzed/At Wit's End at this show since we'd gotten Fall Into the Light/Pull Me Under at the first concert.

[sfam2112]

First:
July 15th, 2003 - Baltimore, MD (Pier Six Pavilion)

Last:
March 11th, 2022 - Raleigh, NC (Raleigh Memorial Auditorium)

[mrpmrpmrpmrp]

OG SFAM tour Boston
Dreamsonic NYC

[TAC]

OG SFAM tour Boston

The vibe at The Roxy that night was amazing. It was like DT blew up big time for that show. I did not expect that size crowd and how into it they would be.

[Max Kuehnau]

The vibe at The Roxy that night was amazing. It was like DT blew up big time for that show. I did not expect that size crowd and how into it they would be.

neither did I when I attended my first DT show on the Met2 tour in 2000

[genome]

First: Wembley 2007, Chaos in Motion tour
Last: Manchester 2017, Images and Words anniversary tour

Next: Sunday 

Actually surprised I've not seen them for 7 years. I skipped DOT, then Covid, and wasn't fussed about the setlist for the View tour so skipped that too. So I've only missed a couple of tours but it's ended up being 7 years.