Thoughts on the RCMH Show

[TAC]

Yep, those are additional bits of lyrics from the demo version. Not surprisingly - given how many more times I have listened to the album version vs. the demo version - that feels a little jarring. I will say, other than the familiarity aspect, I prefer the album version that way. But I will also say that overall Hollow Years turned out to be one of the highlights of the show, which wasn't on my bingo card
The intro, in particular, was very, very special.

Hollow Years was great. The intro was amazing. I definitely prefer the song without those demo lines added back in. They also played it that was on the BC&SL tour.

The best version is still the '04 version.

[Cocopjojo]

Wow, that's kind of cool about Hollow Years. Thanks for explaining.

[nick_z]

Hollow Years was great. The intro was amazing. I definitely prefer the song without those demo lines added back in. They also played it that was on the BC&SL tour.

The best version is still the '04 version.

The '04 version would be the same that was also recorded for posterity on Live at Budokan, correct? I actually think I witnessed on this tour surpasses it - additional lines notwithstanding. I would have to re-listen to the ToT tour version (haven't done it in a while), but if felt to me this one really came to life with the ending and all. And the intro solo definitely has a Gary Moore vibe (I think that was your note in your review of the Boston show). Just wonderful.

I might just add a few more thoughts on yesterday's show...Believe it or not, the last time I'd seen the band live was all the way back in 1997, on the FII tour. I was still living in Italy back then, a whole different life. Nothing to do specifically with the band, I was never a huge concert-goer, and then I started going even less.

Anyway - a friend of mine convinced me, and I'm so glad I went. Obviously I don't have much to compare this to in terms of my own experience, unless I want to go all the way back to 90s DT. So, no MP vs. MM either But, man, the goosebumps when the intro to Metropolis Pt.1 started...and then the band kicked in. That time of music discovery in the early 90s was so wonderful, and in a way it all came back in that moment. I have seen the song live before, of course, but it had been SO long.

I can't say this was the absolute best setlist I could wish for, but it doesn't really matter. I enjoyed the show immensely, and the band seemed in great shape. I thought JLB overall did well, struggling a bit here and there (I felt the ending of Barstool Warrior was a bit rough?), appropriately changing melodies when necessary (as abundantly discussed already), but with a confidence in his voice that seemed to be lacking in the recent past (at least judging by the videos of the past couple of tours, of course). Also, did he almost nail the "Watch the Sparrow Falling" on PMU, or was I in some sort of transcended state?  MP was a joy to watch.

As for the favorite moments: I've already mentioned Hollowed Years...The I&W stuff was great. Big fan of Under a Glass Moon, so always a pleasure to hear that one. And Pull Me Under was fantastic. The Vacant/Stream of Consciousness combo was a blast too, with some cool re-imagining of the former. Also agreed with the sentiment on this thread that Night Terror seemed to be very well-received and worked great live, was Midnight Messiah right after it didn't quite hit as hard and had a relatively muted reception. I don't even consider Octavarium as much of a masterpiece as most do (still an amazing song, to be clear), and its performance was brilliant.

And then, of course, The Best of Times. Again, not necessarily a top DT song for me, but there is something special in witnessing the live debut of a song, especially one that is so meaningful for one of the band members. And the fact that it was a surprise too. (Not upset about not getting TSCO, as I'm not a huge fan of it anyway.) Loved, loved JP's solo - man, that guitar was really cutting through.

So, great show, super-happy I got to go. RCMH is a real cool venue too.

[TAC]

The '04 version would be the same that was also recorded for posterity on Live at Budokan, correct? I actually think I witnessed on this tour surpasses it - additional lines notwithstanding. I would have to re-listen to the ToT tour version (haven't done it in a while), but if felt to me this one really came to life with the ending and all. And the intro solo definitely has a Gary Moore vibe (I think that was your note in your review of the Boston show). Just wonderful.

Yes, it's the Budokan solo.

The intro JR and JP are doing is incredible. I'm just not a fan of the demo lines added back in. I find that the song flows much better without them.

[Metro]

In DC Friday night, they played part of LTE's Paradigm shift at the end of Hollow Years.
https://youtu.be/0yczKvS3b-0?t=892

Did they do that in NYC or anywhere else?

[Cocopjojo]

In DC Friday night, they played part of LTE's Paradigm shift at the end of Hollow Years.
https://youtu.be/0yczKvS3b-0?t=892

Did they do that in NYC or anywhere else?

They definitely did not do that last night in NYC, but they ended that song in a very jammy way so it's easy to see how they slipped into that in DC.

[RaiseTheKnife]

Demo lyrics:

[Pre-Chorus 1]
Carry me to the shoreline
Bury me in the sand
Walk me across the water
In the writing of a tired hand
You'll see the message getting clearer
And maybe you'll understand


[Pre-Chorus 2]
Carry me to the shoreline
Bury me in the sand
(into the waves)
Walk me across the water
In the echoes of a tired voice
You'll hear the message getting clearer
And maybe you'll have no choice

It should be noted that in the two shows I attended James slightly changed the lyrics from "Maybe you'll have no choice" to "Maybe you'll have a choice"

[The Letter M]

In DC Friday night, they played part of LTE's Paradigm shift at the end of Hollow Years.
https://youtu.be/0yczKvS3b-0?t=892

Did they do that in NYC or anywhere else?

That sent shivers all over when I heard JP pull out that riff and then Mike looking at Jordan like "Oh yeah, let's do this" and I'd wondered if that had happened at previous shows or not. What a great moment to witness love!

They also tagged "As I Am" with "Enter Sandman" and "Seven Nation Army" as well, which was a lot of fun!

https://youtu.be/ssDbpQdyv54?si=7VQGklPHGIF6LVZb - go to 1:07:11

-Marc.

[Tony From Long Island]

Can someone explain what was up with the alternate lyrics on Hollow Years? I had not heard it live in like 20 years and one specific part of it had different lyrics. Has the live version of it evolved over time?

They are performing the Demo version from before they recorded Falling into Infinity.
On the Fix for '96 shows they played the original version of "Take Away My Pain"  which had a different arrangement than what eventually made its way onto Falling Into Infinity, so this version of "Hollow Years" is the same situation.

I prefer the Album version of both.

[Tony From Long Island]

I thought JLB overall did well, struggling a bit here and there (I felt the ending of Barstool Warrior was a bit rough?), appropriately changing melodies when necessary (as abundantly discussed already), but with a confidence in his voice that seemed to be lacking in the recent past (at least judging by the videos of the past couple of tours, of course).

I was just telling someone that I think he realizes now that he can't sing certain notes or a certain way anymore and has accepted it instead of trying and failing which must be super frustrating (as well as unpleasant to listen to). So he is able to modify melodies and just work with the instrument he has. It's what's best for the band and the fans.

[Herrick]

^ I thought Metropolis was very rough and he recovered somewhat after. JLB struggled less than he did on prior tours but it's not really apples to apples because this time they changed vocal melodies. I don't really have a strong opinion on that approach but certain tunes like UAGM sounded like completely different songs. I think he sang fine given the expectations but some people on FB are saying he was superb, and I have to say I didn't come away with that lol.

I got there late and missed 80% of Metropolis. I think you and I have similar opinions about the vocals. Not terrible but not great mixed with some pretty good moments but a lot of flat moments.

The vocal melody did sound strange in Under A Glass Moon but I don't know what else should be done about that. And there was one song that I cannot remember which song where I thought, "What the fuck is LaBrie doing?"

This is the first concert where I've used ear plugs so I wonder if that was messing with what I was hearing. I thought I could hear Myung a tiny bit better with the ear plugs. And with ear plugs in, LaBrie sounded less nasally too. He sounded more like he does in YouTube videos.

I've never seen the band with Portnoy before. I didn't detect any difference between no click & click. Like it didn't feel more like a "rock show" or less "robotic". I agree with the mang who said the symbols were very low in the mix. Portnoy & Petrucci sounded really good when they both did backing vocals together. And Portnoy sounded good when it was just him.

I liked the lights on Ruddess' keyboard. Did he also have a graphic that showed which notes he was playing? That was pretty cool.

Agree with those who said Midnight Messiah didn't excite the crowd that much. Hollow Years didn't tickle Herrick's pickle either. I would've much preferred Dead Again. I was surprised they didn't play more from the new album. I went in pretty much not knowing anything they would play. There were some nice surprises like Octavarium, Panick Attack, Stream of Consciousness, The Dark Eternal Night, & The Best of Times. I might see them again when they do another tour with more Parasomnia songs.

[Lonk]

My informal review on the night:

It was great meeting everyone. First met up with Stadler and PG, Barto joined shortly after. Then we headed to the official meetup spot and met with everyone else there.

The show itself was great. Stadler asked me before the show re: Petrucci's energy on stage, and he was as energetic as I've ever seen him. The first set was identical to the show I saw earlier in the tour, and the second set they dropped a song. Vacant-SoC was still the highlight for me, even more so than Octavarium.

Then came TBoT. Right before we left the meetup, someone mentioned that TBoT would be part of the encore (Not sure who he was). I did not believe it and thought it was BS, so when "In Memoriam" showed on screen, my jaw dropped and I knew what was coming. I told the story to Stadler and NoBloodyName after the show, but that song hit me hard for so many different reasons.

Also, maybe it is because of where I was sitting, but I do agree with some of the comments about the sound mix. Sometimes I could not hear James because his sound was buried under the guitar and drums. All in all, a great show.

[genome]

I'm watching a video of the whole concert and man the band is tight. You can absolutely tell they have been on the road for months.

[Chino]

I was in the second row in front of JM.  I snapped a picture of the set list before the show started, so I knew TBOT was coming.  I've made no secret that I think it's a bottom of the barrel DT song, but it was a great moment live.

The only disappointment for me was standing in the merch line for 20-30 minutes only to reach the front of the line right as they sold out of the event-specific t-shirt.

I could be misremembering, but I'm like 99.99% sure that the special edition RCMH shirts from the SCORE show ended up on their website some time after. You might be able to snag one there eventually.

I bought one of the SCORE versions at that show back in 06, but I can't for the life of me find it. I'm pretty bummed. I still have the Gold Ticket Club shirt from that same show, but it's not as cool. 

[TheBarstoolWarrior]

I got there late and missed 80% of Metropolis. I think you and I have similar opinions about the vocals. Not terrible but not great mixed with some pretty good moments but a lot of flat moments.

The vocal melody did sound strange in Under A Glass Moon but I don't know what else should be done about that. And there was one song that I cannot remember which song where I thought, "What the fuck is LaBrie doing?"

This is the first concert where I've used ear plugs so I wonder if that was messing with what I was hearing. I thought I could hear Myung a tiny bit better with the ear plugs. And with ear plugs in, LaBrie sounded less nasally too. He sounded more like he does in YouTube videos.

I've never seen the band with Portnoy before. I didn't detect any difference between no click & click. Like it didn't feel more like a "rock show" or less "robotic". I agree with the mang who said the symbols were very low in the mix. Portnoy & Petrucci sounded really good when they both did backing vocals together. And Portnoy sounded good when it was just him.

I liked the lights on Ruddess' keyboard. Did he also have a graphic that showed which notes he was playing? That was pretty cool.

Agree with those who said Midnight Messiah didn't excite the crowd that much. Hollow Years didn't tickle Herrick's pickle either. I would've much preferred Dead Again. I was surprised they didn't play more from the new album. I went in pretty much not knowing anything they would play. There were some nice surprises like Octavarium, Panick Attack, Stream of Consciousness, The Dark Eternal Night, & The Best of Times. I might see them again when they do another tour with more Parasomnia songs.

I always wear plugs these days. I went to a metal show years ago and the ringing in my ears didn't stop for over a day. I learned my lesson after that 

I agree with you the concert didn't feel any more or less robotic or rock show in nature.  The main differences I heard were obviously in vocabulary, and Portnoy played very on top of the beat. Plus he stands up a few times per song which isnt something I'm used to seeing at a DT show. I didn't notice any major difference in their behavior vs. the their previous 3 tours honestly.

What I think was really different was the production and clearly the setlist, which was chock full of classics in the first set. This felt like way better graphics and lighting in a very impressive venue. The crowd size was huge as well. I'm very satisfied with my experience but I am really curious to see how this whole thing evolves on the Parasomnia tour, which is going to be a lot more new material.

[Herrick]

The lights and stuff were cool and I really liked that animated thing. I forgot which song had that.

[Skeever]

For you guys talking about ear plugs, I've got a good solution.
I saw someone at the meetup handing out those really big, thick ones which aren't the best for preserving the dynamic range. Thankfully, they make earplugs specifically designed for musicians called "High Dynamic Range Earplugs" and sometimes you'll notice that not only do preserve the sound but they actually improve it by eliminating some of the high frequency noise that reverberates around in those rooms.

I wore these most of the night at RCMH. And I bring them to every show. If you live near a Guitar Center, you can just get them there.

[Stadler]

My comments in the other thread. I would only add...

FOR ME, the setlist is/was sort of secondary on this tour.  It wasn't about the actual songs; TDEN is like 160 on my "top DT songs" list, and yet it was AMAZING live. Vacant and Stream Of Consciousness aren't much higher, but same thing.   I guess to each their own, but when a band is on - like they were Saturday - I'm starting to take the position that it doesn't really matter what it is they are playing.

Ear plugs; I almost never wear them but I was mentioning a little ringing after Wallingford and Adami slipped me a set before the show.  I wore them and I'm glad I did.  I heard everything clearly, but the one time I slipped them out - sometime in the first set - I felt that three hours of that would leave a ring, so I put them back in.  I admit I was wrong, Adami! 

[jasc15]

This was my first DT show since RCMH in 2006.  I kept away from the forum to avoid any setlist spoilers, so everything was a surprise to me, especially Octavarium.  I was hoping they would play it, but figured it might be a stretch.  This song represents the last peak from the band, IMO, and I personally rank it higher than ACoS.  It did not feel like a 24 minute song, since I was so engulfed in every minute.  Their following album releases starting with Systematic Chaos were underwhelming to me, but The Dark Eternal Night was incredible live and might give me reason to listen to SC again.  I was not familiar with The Best of Times, and didn't realize it hadn't been performed live before.  There were some tears as I looked around, and I figured there was some significance to the song besides the obvious images of Mike and his dad.

Special mention for Panic Attack, and Hollow Years which immediately brought me back to the ToT tour, and for a moment during the guitar solo/intro, I thought it might be Trial of Tears.

[nobloodyname]

Also, maybe it is because of where I was sitting, but I do agree with some of the comments about the sound mix. Sometimes I could not hear James because his sound was buried under the guitar and drums. All in all, a great show.

We weren't sitting that far apart. My perception was the mix was all over the place. I could hear adjustments being made on the fly in several songs.

[hefdaddy42]

In DC Friday night, they played part of LTE's Paradigm shift at the end of Hollow Years.
https://youtu.be/0yczKvS3b-0?t=892

Did they do that in NYC or anywhere else?

Holy shit, that's awesome.

Yes, it's the Budokan solo.

The intro JR and JP are doing is incredible. I'm just not a fan of the demo lines added back in. I find that the song flows much better without them.

I agree with you.

I guess to each their own, but when a band is on - like they were Saturday - I'm starting to take the position that it doesn't really matter what it is they are playing.

I agree with this as well.

[genome]

I had no idea the demo version existed, so when I saw the London show I was thoroughly confused when it happened 

[mrpmrpmrpmrp]

That sent shivers all over when I heard JP pull out that riff and then Mike looking at Jordan like "Oh yeah, let's do this" and I'd wondered if that had happened at previous shows or not. What a great moment to witness love!

They also tagged "As I Am" with "Enter Sandman" and "Seven Nation Army" as well, which was a lot of fun!

https://youtu.be/ssDbpQdyv54?si=7VQGklPHGIF6LVZb - go to 1:07:11

-Marc.

They definitely did not. It sounds like the last three shows of the tour had a lot of juicy stuff.

[pg1067]

I could be misremembering, but I'm like 99.99% sure that the special edition RCMH shirts from the SCORE show ended up on their website some time after. You might be able to snag one there eventually.

Hope you're right.  I'll keep my eyes open!

[Dream Team]

I wasn't at the show, but appreciate everyone's chiming in about their experience. Bummer they dropped it down to 1 measly song released from 2010 to 2022.

[OpenYourEyes311]

Was at the Radio City show this weekend with a buddy of mine. We went to the same venue in 2006, so it was nice to come back for another tour finale almost 20 years later. The setlist for this tour was incredible. Getting to see Vacant, Stream, and Octavarium all back to back was better than I could have imagined. This was like watching DT in their prime again. It felt like a show from 2004-2006. Having MP back is such a treat. He brings the band to another level they just didn't have when he was gone (IMO - no slight to MM). And also - James. How good was James?! He hit every note in the second half. Pull Me Under sounded better than it has in years. He's back and I love it!

RE: The Best of Times
I hadn't heard this song in years. TBH, Black Clouds is not my favorite, so I'll usually go for Nightmare or Count and that's it. When the Howard Portnoy card came up I literally said "holy shit" and my jaw dropped for the entire intro. When this song came out in 2009, my dad was still alive and I was not a father myself. I was not emotionally ready for this song. I couldn't help but cry throughout most of it. The band played it beautifully. The violinist was an incredible touch. James sounded perfect. It was all absolutely amazing. I can not believe I got to see the debut of this song. I hope others get to see it, but I personally think that's going to be the only time it gets played. I saw MP wipe away tears after it ended.

Hope everyone got to see this tour. I can't wait to see them again in the fall.

[Stadler]

I wasn't at the show, but appreciate everyone's chiming in about their experience. Bummer they dropped it down to 1 measly song released from 2010 to 2022.

In the moment, in the arena, literally did not give that even 5 seconds consideration and I LOVE the song they dropped. 

[brakkum]

In the moment, in the arena, literally did not give that even 5 seconds consideration and I LOVE the song they dropped. 

Same, made sense to drop that for everything else we got. Can't remember exactly but I think they ended like 8 minutes before curfew.

[TAC]

Same, made sense to drop that for everything else we got. Can't remember exactly but I think they ended like 8 minutes before curfew.

Is there a preshow curfew? NY started at 8:00, right? We started here at 7:30.

[TheBarstoolWarrior]

Sort of weird to see how much people loved TBOT across the internet. I've always thought it was incredibly underrated but noticed fans seemed to be so down on it or just did not care.

[nick_z]

Sort of weird to see how much people loved TBOT across the internet. I've always thought it was incredibly underrated but noticed fans seemed to be so down on it or just did not care.

Only speaking for myself of course - I've always liked the song, but never quite went gaga for it. But I think the "specialness" of it all elevated the whole experience. First time live, one-off on the last date and, on top of it all, the incredibly special meaning it has to MP...I thought it was wonderful.

(Plus, it's not like they debuted Raw Dog live my guess is in that case, no matter how "special", the reaction wouldn't have been as positive  )

[nobloodyname]

Same, made sense to drop that for everything else we got. Can't remember exactly but I think they ended like 8 minutes before curfew.

Yeah, you're right. If they'd played Spirit at tempo, they'd JUST have fit it in. But I dunno, as I said after the show when Paul said it'd been in the setlist, it wasn't needed after The Best of Times. I imagine they dropped it because of time constraints but I like to romantically think it was dropped because of the impact The Best of Times had.

[Stadler]

Is there a preshow curfew? NY started at 8:00, right? We started here at 7:30.

I don't know why they started at 8:00, but the cut-off was 11:00.  That's the norm for shows in NYC.  I don't know why 8:00, but one possible answer is that by starting at 7:30 you have to pay the entire hour (which begs why not start at 7:00...)

[Herrick]

I don't really care about The Spirit Carries On but I would've taken that over Hollow Years.

Edit: Either way, I still missed the fucking 11:17pm train.

[Dream Team]

Same, made sense to drop that for everything else we got. Can't remember exactly but I think they ended like 8 minutes before curfew.

Eh, TDEN is a poor substitute for TITL.