Author Topic: What can I expect from a Dream Theater concert?  (Read 6603 times)

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Online T-ski

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What can I expect from a Dream Theater concert?
« on: January 31, 2014, 08:14:14 AM »
I've been a fan of Dream Theater since I saw "Pull Me Under" on MTV back in the day, and have purchased every release since then, but I have never seen the band live. 

Why you might ask?  Fair question.  I do not like being in large crowds, it makes me very uncomfortable.  I also do not like to travel and where I live it usually is a 3 hour drive to the closest concert venue.  I'm a very introverted person and keep to myself.  Yes, I'm a loser.

But I've taken the plunge and will finally see DT in concert coming up in April.  My lovely wife, who refers to DT's music as "pretentious" has even agreed to go along.  Thats love.

So what can I expect for my first Dream Theater concert experience outside of the great music?
« Last Edit: January 31, 2014, 08:38:53 AM by cyberdrummer »
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Offline cyberdrummer

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Re: What can I expect from a Dream Theater concert?
« Reply #1 on: January 31, 2014, 08:39:22 AM »
A lot of other 'losers', as you put it :lol

Though the number of women at DT concerts has gradually increased over the years.

Don't expect a huge amount of crowd interaction.

Presumably it's a seated gig, so expect a pretty relaxed atmosphere.

Offline El Barto

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Re: What can I expect from a Dream Theater concert?
« Reply #2 on: January 31, 2014, 08:51:44 AM »
Be sure and arrive early, as you won't want to miss out on the customary pre-show orgy in the lobby.
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Offline The Stray Seed

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Re: What can I expect from a Dream Theater concert?
« Reply #3 on: January 31, 2014, 08:57:19 AM »
Hey T-ski!! I'm so excited for you!! I envy you cause I've already been to the show this year, and I would like to see another thousand shows if only I had the money and time!

Since you don't like being in the crowd (even though you have to know DT crowds are usually quite polite!) and you are going there with your wife, I suggest you to buy tickets for the balcony! Also, you should check how the theater is built not to take seats too close to columns, pillars and stuff. Also don't take seats too far from the center, or the angle may turn out to be annoying. In case the venue shouldn't have numbered seats, go there at least one hour before the show, so to get decent places.

If you stay in the balcony - depending on the venue - I suggest you to bring a small telescope with you. During the show I had such great fun "zooming" on the different band members during highlight moments, like solos and stuff. The large screen not always shows the guys playing, there's a lot of animations and stuff (some of which are quite awesome, but others are just shapes spinning and moving around), so you might like to see details of the band's performance even if you are distant from the stage.

The concert was soooooooooo much fun!!! This year they did a lot of improvement, and I really think the show might be enjoyable even for those who are not very much into DT music. So if your life likes some aspects of DT style, I think there are chances she will enjoy the gig! The lights are awesome, the animations are just glorious, there's funny videos during the break, and above all the band performance is really stellar. But there's one last thing that is both good and bad: this year it's An Evening With, and this means the show will be veeery long (about 3 hours). And this is just supergreat news if you're a fan, but it may turn out to be quite boring for someone who isn't much into DT and came to the gig just to be "along for the ride" xD

Take water with you and something to eat =) Sometimes venues (especially small ones) get really hot when many people are in there, so dress up so to have more layers of clothes you can take off depending on the temperature.

And don't forget tickets!! =DD Enjoy the show man, I am so happy for you!!!! :tup
« Last Edit: January 31, 2014, 09:03:53 AM by The Stray Seed »

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Re: What can I expect from a Dream Theater concert?
« Reply #4 on: January 31, 2014, 09:25:39 AM »
Be sure and arrive early, as you won't want to miss out on the customary pre-show orgy in the lobby.

Yup, almost as good as the show itself. As the old saying goes, "If your ass doesn't hurt, you didn't really see DT"

Offline drb007

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Re: What can I expect from a Dream Theater concert?
« Reply #5 on: February 04, 2014, 10:08:27 PM »
I assume from the Milwaukee brewers logo in your avatar and that you are seeing them in April you will be at the  Pabst. I will be there too, with my 14 yo daughter. We got the VIP tickets and will be in the second row. Honestly, you will be surrounded by guys just like you. This will be my third DT concert. Nicest people you'll ever meet. And the band is amazing live. The theater is incredible. See you there!

Offline KevShmev

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Re: What can I expect from a Dream Theater concert?
« Reply #6 on: February 04, 2014, 10:10:16 PM »
Be sure and arrive early, as you won't want to miss out on the customary pre-show orgy in the lobby.


Nobody likes a smartass, Kev.

 

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Offline sueño

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Re: What can I expect from a Dream Theater concert?
« Reply #7 on: February 05, 2014, 01:16:36 AM »
My first DT concert too, although I'm going alone. I have a mezzanine first row seat.

Can't wait!   :D
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Offline RaiseTheKnife

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Re: What can I expect from a Dream Theater concert?
« Reply #8 on: February 05, 2014, 05:41:58 AM »
DT plays loud, so if you have sensitive hearing be sure to pick up ear plugs at the box office.  They give them out to guests for free.  Maybe take a few extra for the drive home so you don't have to listen to your wife complain about the "pretentious music" you made her sit through for 3 hours.  :laugh:  Just KIDDING.

My GF is seeing DT for the first time and I will make sure she has hearing protection. 

Also, the bathroom line for dudes during intermission on an "evening with" show is always two miles long, so be sure to take care of business before the show starts. 

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Re: What can I expect from a Dream Theater concert?
« Reply #9 on: February 05, 2014, 05:50:22 AM »
Be sure and arrive early, as you won't want to miss out on the customary pre-show orgy in the lobby.

Yup, almost as good as the show itself. As the old saying goes, "If your ass doesn't hurt, you didn't really see DT"

 :zydar:

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« Last Edit: February 05, 2014, 08:33:53 AM by Zydar »
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Offline kevinpwrs

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Re: What can I expect from a Dream Theater concert?
« Reply #10 on: February 05, 2014, 06:35:01 AM »
Ignore the video screen. If you can. Four amazing musicians on stage I dont know why they are using so much video? Its very distracting and takes away from the guys. If I want to see a movie, I will go to the cinema. If I want to see a cartoon, I will watch cartoon network. When I go see DT (8 times now) I go to see incredible musicianship not short movies and cartoons. If you love the video stuff, God bless you. I hate it. Just my opinion. Ok, let the flaming begin in 3,2,1.....
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Offline rickhawk80

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Re: What can I expect from a Dream Theater concert?
« Reply #11 on: February 05, 2014, 06:41:28 AM »
For various reasons I've never before seen DT live either, even though I've been a fan going back to the day I was working in a record store in '89 and this new album came in with the crazy cover photo of a guy getting branded with some bizarre logo.   :lol  So, I'll be rectifying that this April finally in KC with seats in the 4th row.   :xbones

The comments here remind me a lot of some of the times I've seen Rush live -- overwhelmingly male audience where the female fans for once get the shorter bathroom lines, seated event for lengthy performances, etc.  They're playing a smaller theatre in KC so I'm looking forward to a great event with nice acoustics.  :metal

Offline BlobVanDam

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Re: What can I expect from a Dream Theater concert?
« Reply #12 on: February 05, 2014, 06:59:23 AM »
Ignore the video screen. If you can. Four amazing musicians on stage I dont know why they are using so much video? Its very distracting and takes away from the guys. If I want to see a movie, I will go to the cinema. If I want to see a cartoon, I will watch cartoon network. When I go see DT (8 times now) I go to see incredible musicianship not short movies and cartoons. If you love the video stuff, God bless you. I hate it. Just my opinion. Ok, let the flaming begin in 3,2,1.....

Having just spent the past 3 months working on that very video show, all I can say is :tdwn

A lot of the video is unaccompanied by the band, including the intro, the seque videos for the DT12 songs, and the Illumination Theory middle section, making for a more cinematic experience, and doesn't distract from the band at all. You paid for a ticket, so soak up everything DT has put into their show, including the video show that is designed to enhance their already excellent music.
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Offline ozzy554

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Re: What can I expect from a Dream Theater concert?
« Reply #13 on: February 05, 2014, 08:14:30 AM »
DT plays loud, so if you have sensitive hearing be sure to pick up ear plugs at the box office.  They give them out to guests for free.  Maybe take a few extra for the drive home so you don't have to listen to your wife complain about the "pretentious music" you made her sit through for 3 hours.  :laugh:  Just KIDDING.

My GF is seeing DT for the first time and I will make sure she has hearing protection. 

Also, the bathroom line for dudes during intermission on an "evening with" show is always two miles long, so be sure to take care of business before the show starts.

I don't think it will be as loud as when I saw Judas Priest, now THAT was a loud show.
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Offline KevShmev

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Re: What can I expect from a Dream Theater concert?
« Reply #14 on: February 05, 2014, 08:29:38 AM »
Ignore the video screen. If you can. Four amazing musicians on stage I dont know why they are using so much video? Its very distracting and takes away from the guys. If I want to see a movie, I will go to the cinema. If I want to see a cartoon, I will watch cartoon network. When I go see DT (8 times now) I go to see incredible musicianship not short movies and cartoons. If you love the video stuff, God bless you. I hate it. Just my opinion. Ok, let the flaming begin in 3,2,1.....

Because it's part of the show.  Considering DT isn't an overly exciting visual band, unless you love watching musicians stand there like statues most of the time and play their instruments well, cool stuff on the video screen can only enhance the overall experience, not detract from it.

Offline El Barto

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Re: What can I expect from a Dream Theater concert?
« Reply #15 on: February 05, 2014, 08:39:59 AM »
Be sure and arrive early, as you won't want to miss out on the customary pre-show orgy in the lobby.


Nobody likes a smartass, Kev.

 

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Fair enough. (although mine was funnier)
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Offline The Curious Orange

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Re: What can I expect from a Dream Theater concert?
« Reply #16 on: February 07, 2014, 07:00:24 AM »
Seriously, plus one on the earplugs. It's not just that DT play loud (they do) as that their sound can sometimes also be a little harsh - the combination of the two can destroy your eardrums. Better to take plugs and not need them than to go deaf in middle age...
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Re: What can I expect from a Dream Theater concert?
« Reply #17 on: February 08, 2014, 03:22:34 PM »
Seriously, plus one on the earplugs. It's not just that DT play loud (they do) as that their sound can sometimes also be a little harsh - the combination of the two can destroy your eardrums. Better to take plugs and not need them than to go deaf in middle age...

What?

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Re: What can I expect from a Dream Theater concert?
« Reply #18 on: February 08, 2014, 04:03:26 PM »
Seriously, plus one on the earplugs. It's not just that DT play loud (they do) as that their sound can sometimes also be a little harsh - the combination of the two can destroy your eardrums. Better to take plugs and not need them than to go deaf in middle age...

What?

Huh?
would have thought the same thing but seeing the OP was TAC i immediately thought Maiden or DT related
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Re: What can I expect from a Dream Theater concert?
« Reply #19 on: February 08, 2014, 08:10:30 PM »
Be sure and arrive early, as you won't want to miss out on the customary pre-show orgy in the lobby.

Be ready to moan out load, "Dammit Nick."
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Re: What can I expect from a Dream Theater concert?
« Reply #20 on: February 09, 2014, 08:16:10 AM »
Seriously, plus one on the earplugs. It's not just that DT play loud (they do) as that their sound can sometimes also be a little harsh - the combination of the two can destroy your eardrums. Better to take plugs and not need them than to go deaf in middle age...

What?

Huh?

Eighties teens lol

Offline 1neeto

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Re: What can I expect from a Dream Theater concert?
« Reply #21 on: February 12, 2014, 12:00:53 PM »
It will be a first for me and the wife too. She hated DT at first but now she's a big fan. And true on the earplugs, I always bring to live concerts, and a night with DT is 3 hours at 110+ decibels. Yeah you should protect your hearing.

Offline billybobjoe1881

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Re: What can I expect from a Dream Theater concert?
« Reply #22 on: March 03, 2014, 10:07:27 PM »
I am new to Dream Theater and am going to be seeing them in Vancouver April 12th.  I own Octavarium and Dramatic Turn Of Events.  Love both albums. What should I expect for the show?  Do they play for an hour, two, three?  Do they stop playing and let certain members do solo's? 

Offline GasparXR

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Re: What can I expect from a Dream Theater concert?
« Reply #23 on: March 03, 2014, 10:59:51 PM »
They are playing for 3 hours, with a 15 minute intermission. They have done solo spots in the past, and there is one on this tour, but it's during a song. I won't be the one to spoil the set list for you, but they have been playing the same set through the whole tour to have a really locked-in, tight show, and you will recognize two songs based on the albums you have. I would recommend getting they're newest self-titled album since this tour is in support of that album.

Also, expect awesomeness. :coolio

Offline ozzy554

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Re: What can I expect from a Dream Theater concert?
« Reply #24 on: March 04, 2014, 08:40:01 PM »
I am new to Dream Theater and am going to be seeing them in Vancouver April 12th.  I own Octavarium and Dramatic Turn Of Events.  Love both albums. What should I expect for the show?  Do they play for an hour, two, three?  Do they stop playing and let certain members do solo's?

Also I would suggest getting awake. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the album.
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Offline Umph1348

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Re: What can I expect from a Dream Theater concert?
« Reply #25 on: March 07, 2014, 07:23:53 AM »
I am attending my first DT show in Boston in a few weeks ( :metal).  I couldn't be more excited.  My quick question is this:  at an assigned seating show, will people in the Orchestra be standing/dancing or will they be seated?  I really hope it is the former... 

Offline Grizz

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Re: What can I expect from a Dream Theater concert?
« Reply #26 on: March 14, 2014, 07:03:36 PM »
Ignore the video screen. If you can. Four amazing musicians on stage I dont know why they are using so much video? Its very distracting and takes away from the guys. If I want to see a movie, I will go to the cinema. If I want to see a cartoon, I will watch cartoon network. When I go see DT (8 times now) I go to see incredible musicianship not short movies and cartoons. If you love the video stuff, God bless you. I hate it. Just my opinion. Ok, let the flaming begin in 3,2,1.....
Hey man, at least there are no elephants this time!


I am attending my first DT show in Boston in a few weeks ( :metal).  I couldn't be more excited.  My quick question is this:  at an assigned seating show, will people in the Orchestra be standing/dancing or will they be seated?  I really hope it is the former...
It depends. Technically seated, but there are usually buttholes who stand the whole time. That is the beauty of being at the front of any section, being able to sit and see.
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Offline Tick

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Re: What can I expect from a Dream Theater concert?
« Reply #27 on: March 15, 2014, 12:01:42 PM »
You can expect it to be just like watching the BluRay disc...except you are there! and people are freaks in general so theirs that...
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Offline RaiseTheKnife

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Re: What can I expect from a Dream Theater concert?
« Reply #28 on: March 15, 2014, 04:48:01 PM »

I am attending my first DT show in Boston in a few weeks ( :metal).  I couldn't be more excited.  My quick question is this:  at an assigned seating show, will people in the Orchestra be standing/dancing or will they be seated?  I really hope it is the former...
It depends. Technically seated, but there are usually buttholes who stand the whole time. That is the beauty of being at the front of any section, being able to sit and see.

It is a rock show and I will be standing the whole time.  Possibly dancing in odd time signatures. 

Sincerely,

The Buttholes

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Re: What can I expect from a Dream Theater concert?
« Reply #29 on: March 15, 2014, 07:10:42 PM »
I remember I had a stripper dance to Tom Sawyer by request for me. She couldn't hang when the times got real screwy, lost her shit on stage. Twas brilliant. :lol

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Re: What can I expect from a Dream Theater concert?
« Reply #30 on: March 15, 2014, 09:43:01 PM »
I remember I had a stripper dance to Tom Sawyer by request for me. She couldn't hang when the times got real screwy, lost her shit on stage. Twas brilliant. :lol

Proving yet again that prog music is pussy repellent. :biggrin:
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Re: What can I expect from a Dream Theater concert?
« Reply #31 on: March 16, 2014, 12:02:25 AM »
I remember I had a stripper dance to Tom Sawyer by request for me. She couldn't hang when the times got real screwy, lost her shit on stage. Twas brilliant. :lol
:lol

Offline Laughingplace56

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Re: What can I expect from a Dream Theater concert?
« Reply #32 on: March 16, 2014, 10:17:09 PM »

I am attending my first DT show in Boston in a few weeks ( :metal).  I couldn't be more excited.  My quick question is this:  at an assigned seating show, will people in the Orchestra be standing/dancing or will they be seated?  I really hope it is the former...
It depends. Technically seated, but there are usually buttholes who stand the whole time. That is the beauty of being at the front of any section, being able to sit and see.

It is a rock show and I will be standing the whole time.  Possibly dancing in odd time signatures. 

Sincerely,

The Buttholes

Seconded. I won't stand the whole time, but I literally won't be able to control myself into a seat when they start The Enemy Inisde, The Mirror/Lie, and the encore. I get people want to sit and fine by them but it's a metal concert. People will stand. It's energetic fast music. Sitting down watching it just isn't as fun.

Offline RaiseTheKnife

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Re: What can I expect from a Dream Theater concert?
« Reply #33 on: March 16, 2014, 11:49:54 PM »
When DT was opening for Yes in 2004, the guy behind me asked me to sit down.  I told him "sorry, thought I was at a rock show" and remained standing.  (I did slightly move more into the aisle) I mean, it was only a 40 minute set.   Anyway, I was perfectly fine sitting through all of Yes' set if the old folks insisted.   
« Last Edit: March 17, 2014, 02:27:53 AM by RaiseTheKnife »

Offline Laughingplace56

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Re: What can I expect from a Dream Theater concert?
« Reply #34 on: March 17, 2014, 11:48:37 AM »
If someone was bothered enough to ask me to sit down I probably would. But if no one says anything I'll take it as them not caring  :lol