I was fortunate enough to be able to drive up from Cary to see the Richmond show last night and see DT for the 3rd time. Boy was it amazing. The setlist was stellar, I didn't hear any mistakes, the playing was flawless, the energy was tangible, and I was able to scream my heart out along to the songs. I was also able to be basically right next to the front row, which was great too and is the closest I've managed to get to the stage at a DT show. My friends and I got to the venue at around 4:15 and waited it out in order to get good places to stand. At a red light on a street a couple feet from the venue I also had the distinct pleasure of coming to a full stop and watching the great Tony Levin walk right in front of my car to cross the street. Didn't get a chance to chat with him, but I did manage to yell his name out the window and get a kind acknowledgement.
After the show, though, my friends and I were able to wait outside the venue at a side exit and meet Petrucci, LaBrie and Rudess. I had never met or shaken the hand of any DT member in the past, so that was also an amazing experience and one that I don't quite think I've been able to fully process just yet. I got some pictures and video, which I might post here some time down the road (besides the fact that the venue's security was pouncing on any suspected camera they saw). My only complaint, really, is that I couldn't really hear John Myung's bass. Being a bass player myself, it was somewhat irritating not being able to hear him. They really ought to give him more sonic space in the live mix. Amazing night and an unforgettable experience nonetheless. It being Petrucci's birthday and watching Rudess, LaBrie and Petrucci don some comical hats was only further frosting on the cake, so to speak. Amazing show!