We got the PMU set list. An effing unbelievable show. The production is on a new level, with the new lights and the cubes that everyone has talked about. The opening cartoon with the theme from Inception raised the energy level instantly and it was non-stop through the end of the show. Trivium's not my thing but they worked hard and get props for warming us up. I met their singer backstage and told him he's a dead ringer for Joseph Gordon-Levitt. John P asked who JGL was and their singer started reeling off his resume - Inception, 500 Days of Summer, 3rd Rock, etc. He then told us that he used music from 500 Days in his wedding. Cool. Real nice kid. And he can play too.
We all know that Dream Theater has defined the term "tight" in the past. But they bring new meaning to the term with this show. They were all absolutely locked in and loaded. Everyone performed at the all-star level. I cannot say enough about Mike Mangini. I expected him to be good and all but the guy is just a Force of Nature. I also met him at the aftershow. I was on line with my nephew and two of his friends and we are standing there and he's talking to two reporters. We're standing just off to the side but he saw my nephew smiling at his conversation with the reporters so he just turned to them and smiled and brought them right into the conversation explaining his absolute happiness at being in Dream Theater and how it all played out. "Down to Earth" does not describe him adequately. He is just so infectiously happy that he is a pleasure to talk to and you just know that he is an immensely positive force in the band and just an all around good guy. I'm totally sold and this guy is the right drummer for this band. Nothing against Mike P., we still love him and wish him well, but this guy is a better fit, both from the standpoint of being a brilliant cream of the crop musician, but also his attitude, enthusiasm, and the other intangibles that make someone a joy to be around. Basically you talk to Mike Mangini for 2 minutes, and you are going to leave with a smile on your face.
I spoke to James backstage for a minute and immediately asked him was where he parked the forklift. He is similar to Mike Mangini with his sense of humor and great attitude.
The crowd was very into the show. And all the way through. I've been going to DT shows for over 20 years and sometimes there is a little bit of listener fatigue in the second half. The level at which they play and the energy in their shows can be exhilarating, but also exhausting. I was evaluating the audience around me and they were locked in all the way through Pull Me Under. And usually there is attitude when a band puts too much new material in a show. Not so. At all. The fans knew the lyrics to the new stuff and were totally into hearing it and singing it. That proves that ADTOE is going to be a DT classic on par with I&W in my opinion. It is for me already.
To conclude, the show was a total rush and going home, I continued playing the new album and still was getting into it. By the way Outcry is just a tremendous song in concert, a real tour de force. I am now psyched for the Beacon tomorrow, and Albany and Philly over the weekend. I cannot get enough of this, but I plan to try.