Mesa, AZ 2/2/2022 - Mesa Arts Center (Setlist Spoilers)

[Laughingplace56]

Last hour of the set is 3 songs?! Lmao love that idea. 2 of my top 10 DT songs and some left field surprises here. If they’re gonna play 10 songs, these are 10 fucking great choices.

I really believe 6:00, ES, IM and AtC all have the potential to be swapped out nightly. Will be curious if that’s the case! Can’t wait for the Florida shows!

DT hasn't swapped out more than one song on a nightly basis since Portnoy was in the band.

They did for the ADTOE tour.

And I don’t necessarily mean all of them would be swapped, but if any songs had the potential to be swapped, it’d be those imo.

[DTwwbwMP]

Aside from the new songs I'm very meh with the rest of the set. Seen them all many times. Unless they switch it up some on night two, it'll be only one show for me in NJ.

[ResultsMayVary]

Last hour of the set is 3 songs?! Lmao love that idea. 2 of my top 10 DT songs and some left field surprises here. If they’re gonna play 10 songs, these are 10 fucking great choices.

I really believe 6:00, ES, IM and AtC all have the potential to be swapped out nightly. Will be curious if that’s the case! Can’t wait for the Florida shows!

DT hasn't swapped out more than one song on a nightly basis since Portnoy was in the band.

They did for the ADTOE tour.

What was swapped?

[DTwwbwMP]

Seems odd to me that they'd completely ignore their two most universally loved releases (I&W and SFAM).  Wanted to give others some love I guess.

ODD??? They just played them in entirety last two tours.

[SeRoX]

So disappoting setlist. Playing 3 epics in a row... Really?

This is where I miss Portnoy or at least his setlist ideas.

[ResultsMayVary]

Seems odd to me that they'd completely ignore their two most universally loved releases (I&W and SFAM).  Wanted to give others some love I guess.

ODD??? They just played them in entirety last two tours.

I concur here. I&W and SFAM have been hammered at live shows in the last 5-10 years.

[Laughingplace56]

So disappoting setlist. Playing 3 epics in a row... Really?

This is where I miss Portnoy or at least his setlist ideas.

The last few tours with MP, they played 8-10 songs a night, lots of times playing songs like ANtR, TCoT, and other 10 min songs in the same night.

[Weymolith]

When I was told what the setlist would be last week, I was in awe Now I can finally talk about it since it's been played

The Count is back!

* 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
* The Count Of Tuscany

Also, No PMU, No Metropolis. No Dance Of Eternity. No Spirit Carries On... all the "staples" you expect to see one or more of are out this tour in favor of tracks that haven't been played in awhile. Honestly, quite satisfying!

[MrMike]

Seems odd to me that they'd completely ignore their two most universally loved releases (I&W and SFAM).  Wanted to give others some love I guess.

ODD??? They just played them in entirety last two tours.

I get it, but some fans like me are late to the party and didn't see those shows.  I didn't expect a ton, but more than 0.

[lonestar]

When I was told what the setlist would be last week, I was in awe Now I can finally talk about it since it's been played

The Count is back!

* 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
* The Count Of Tuscany

Also, No PMU, No Metropolis. No Dance Of Eternity. No Spirit Carries On... all the "staples" you expect to see one or more of are out this tour in favor of tracks that haven't been played in awhile. Honestly, quite satisfying!

So count was the encore?

[DTwwbwMP]

When I was told what the setlist would be last week, I was in awe Now I can finally talk about it since it's been played

The Count is back!

* 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
* The Count Of Tuscany

So, static set lists?

[BFRedrocks]

WHAT AN EPIC ENDING!!!

[gzarruk]

Last hour of the set is 3 songs?! Lmao love that idea. 2 of my top 10 DT songs and some left field surprises here. If they’re gonna play 10 songs, these are 10 fucking great choices.

I really believe 6:00, ES, IM and AtC all have the potential to be swapped out nightly. Will be curious if that’s the case! Can’t wait for the Florida shows!

DT hasn't swapped out more than one song on a nightly basis since Portnoy was in the band.

They did for the ADTOE tour.

What was swapped?

As an example, here are the sets for two consecutive nights at the Luna Park in Argentina (which ended up being used for LALP). 6 songs were swapped from night 1 to 2:
https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/dream-theater/2012/estadio-luna-park-buenos-aires-argentina-73dc127d.html
https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/dream-theater/2012/estadio-luna-park-buenos-aires-argentina-2bdc0c7a.html

[UndercoverMyung]

Oh boy... an opening band that cuts the set by an hour and only makes it 10 songs long.
Tuscany encore is a major bummer. I just hope it's better live I guess.
Overall. Great set with a... fine... encore IMO. And way too short.
I'm excited, but it feels lacking.

[BRGM]

What a killer set! Not a bad song, can't wait till May

[Laughingplace56]

I will say I’m surprised that only 1/6 older songs are new for this lineup, since they’ve been playing completely new set lists each tour for the most part since MM joined the band. Seems like they really just wanted to play whatever they wanted, and I’m all for that!

[Ben_Jamin]

OMG...

That was an amazing set.

Great show and JLB sounded great as well...

Highlights for me were About To Crash, The Ministry of Lost Souls and The Count of Tuscany.

[KidInTheDark666]

Man, this has to be one of the best DT setlists in a very long time.

[Weymolith]

So, static set lists?

Unknown. I was just told what tonight's would be. I could see a song or two being swapped out, but for the most part, since Portnoy left, they have operated with a static setlist with one or two alternates. It makes it easier on the production team, the programming, etc. I could see them throwing in PMU or TSCO at random as those are both something that everyone could play asleep, but I highly doubt that will happen.

[ResultsMayVary]

Last hour of the set is 3 songs?! Lmao love that idea. 2 of my top 10 DT songs and some left field surprises here. If they’re gonna play 10 songs, these are 10 fucking great choices.

I really believe 6:00, ES, IM and AtC all have the potential to be swapped out nightly. Will be curious if that’s the case! Can’t wait for the Florida shows!

DT hasn't swapped out more than one song on a nightly basis since Portnoy was in the band.

They did for the ADTOE tour.

What was swapped?

As an example, here are the sets for two consecutive nights at the Luna Park in Argentina (which ended up being used for LALP). 6 songs were swapped from night 1 to 2:
https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/dream-theater/2012/estadio-luna-park-buenos-aires-argentina-73dc127d.html
https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/dream-theater/2012/estadio-luna-park-buenos-aires-argentina-2bdc0c7a.html

I wouldn't say that's entirely fair to cite. That's a DVD filmed show.

[UndercoverMyung]

I'm really excited for my show.
Basically the entire set is absolutely amazing IMO. Wish they'd done SG but such is life I guess.
I like Tuscany, and as I think it over I expect it to be really good live.
Some really pleasant surprises here.
 

[ResultsMayVary]

So, static set lists?

Unknown. I was just told what tonight's would be. I could see a song or two being swapped out, but for the most part, since Portnoy left, they have operated with a static setlist with one or two alternates. It makes it easier on the production team, the programming, etc. I could see them throwing in PMU or TSCO at random as those are both something that everyone could play asleep, but I highly doubt that will happen.

DT has been doing static setlists for years. So there's no reason to anticipate anything differently unless we're given additional evidence to consider.

[RaiseTheKnife]

Ben, thanks for posting the set song by song, really cool of you.  It was fun waiting 20 minutes for your next post, lol.  Kinda glad they stayed away from Spirit Carries On.

[Cool Chris]

Seems odd to me that they'd completely ignore their two most universally loved releases (I&W and SFAM).  Wanted to give others some love I guess.

Maybe odd, but a great decision imo and rightly due. When's the last time time this happened, outside of the TA tour?

[gzarruk]

Last hour of the set is 3 songs?! Lmao love that idea. 2 of my top 10 DT songs and some left field surprises here. If they’re gonna play 10 songs, these are 10 fucking great choices.

I really believe 6:00, ES, IM and AtC all have the potential to be swapped out nightly. Will be curious if that’s the case! Can’t wait for the Florida shows!

DT hasn't swapped out more than one song on a nightly basis since Portnoy was in the band.

They did for the ADTOE tour.

What was swapped?

As an example, here are the sets for two consecutive nights at the Luna Park in Argentina (which ended up being used for LALP). 6 songs were swapped from night 1 to 2:
https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/dream-theater/2012/estadio-luna-park-buenos-aires-argentina-73dc127d.html
https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/dream-theater/2012/estadio-luna-park-buenos-aires-argentina-2bdc0c7a.html

I wouldn't say that's entirely fair to cite. That's a DVD filmed show.

You can check the rest of the tour there as well, they had an A/B setlist and would change more than a couple songs from night to night, not just for the live album This hasn't happened since then, though.

[UndercoverMyung]

Yeah, I'm way excited for my show. Feb 16 can't come soon enough!!! I LOVE this set.
You have any more pics, Ben? Where were your seats? Looked like about where I am... row 2, edge of stage, Myung side.

[sfam2112]

What was swapped?

The Silent Man -> Wait For Sleep
Beneath The Surface -> Far From Heaven
Forsaken -> Caught in A Web
Under A Glass Moon -> Pull Me Under
And initially Outcry -> Breaking All Illusions

Later on,
The Dark Eternal Night -> The Root of All Evil
As I Am -> Pull Me Under (briefly)

Not to mention every leg had a slightly different setlist

[ResultsMayVary]

Last hour of the set is 3 songs?! Lmao love that idea. 2 of my top 10 DT songs and some left field surprises here. If they’re gonna play 10 songs, these are 10 fucking great choices.

I really believe 6:00, ES, IM and AtC all have the potential to be swapped out nightly. Will be curious if that’s the case! Can’t wait for the Florida shows!

DT hasn't swapped out more than one song on a nightly basis since Portnoy was in the band.

They did for the ADTOE tour.

What was swapped?

As an example, here are the sets for two consecutive nights at the Luna Park in Argentina (which ended up being used for LALP). 6 songs were swapped from night 1 to 2:
https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/dream-theater/2012/estadio-luna-park-buenos-aires-argentina-73dc127d.html
https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/dream-theater/2012/estadio-luna-park-buenos-aires-argentina-2bdc0c7a.html

I wouldn't say that's entirely fair to cite. That's a DVD filmed show.

You can check the rest of the tour there as well, they had an A/B setlist and would change more than a couple songs from night to night, not just for the live album This hasn't happened since then, though.

I stand corrected for the ADTOE tour. But that seems to be the exception to the rule.

[DTwwbwMP]

Okay....just to be a dick
If this is the static set, this is what I'd rather see:
* The Alien
* 6:00 Only A Matter of Time
* Awaken The Master
* Endless Sacrifice In The Name of God
* Bridges In The Sky Lost Not Forgotten
* Invisible Monster Answering The Call
* About To Crash
* The Ministry of Lost Souls Sleeping Giant
* A View From The Top Of The World Behind The Veil, Voices & Wither
encore:
* The Count Of Tuscany Octavarium
In this order:

* The Alien
* Only A Matter of Time
* Awaken The Master
* Voices
* Wither
* Answering The Call
* Behind The Veil
* About To Crash [seque into..]
* Lost Not Forgotten
* Sleeping Giant
* In The Name of God
encore:
* Octavarium

Just for fun............

[DTwwbwMP]

Last hour of the set is 3 songs?! Lmao love that idea. 2 of my top 10 DT songs and some left field surprises here. If they’re gonna play 10 songs, these are 10 fucking great choices.

I really believe 6:00, ES, IM and AtC all have the potential to be swapped out nightly. Will be curious if that’s the case! Can’t wait for the Florida shows!

DT hasn't swapped out more than one song on a nightly basis since Portnoy was in the band.

They did for the ADTOE tour.

What was swapped?

As an example, here are the sets for two consecutive nights at the Luna Park in Argentina (which ended up being used for LALP). 6 songs were swapped from night 1 to 2:
https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/dream-theater/2012/estadio-luna-park-buenos-aires-argentina-73dc127d.html
https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/dream-theater/2012/estadio-luna-park-buenos-aires-argentina-2bdc0c7a.html

I wouldn't say that's entirely fair to cite. That's a DVD filmed show.

You can check the rest of the tour there as well, they had an A/B setlist and would change more than a couple songs from night to night, not just for the live album This hasn't happened since then, though.

I stand corrected for the ADTOE tour. But that seems to be the exception to the rule.

They only did that on that specific tour to give the "illusion" that MP wouldn't be missed set list wise. It didn't work 

[UndercoverMyung]

Okay....just to be a dick
If this is the static set, this is what I'd rather see:
* The Alien
* 6:00 Only A Matter of Time
* Awaken The Master
* Endless Sacrifice In The Name of God
* Bridges In The Sky Lost Not Forgotten
* Invisible Monster Answering The Call
* About To Crash
* The Ministry of Lost Souls Sleeping Giant
* A View From The Top Of The World Behind The Veil, Voices & Wither
encore:
* The Count Of Tuscany Octavarium
In this order:

* The Alien
* Only A Matter of Time
* Awaken The Master
* Voices
* Wither
* Answering The Call
* Behind The Veil
* About To Crash [seque into..]
* Lost Not Forgotten
* Sleeping Giant
* In The Name of God
encore:
* Octavarium

Just for fun............

Heck, I'll do one for fun.

* The Alien
* 6:00 Innocence Faded
* Awaken The Master
* Endless Sacrifice
* Bridges In The Sky
* Invisible Monster
* About To Crash Solitary Shell
* The Ministry of Lost Souls
* A View From The Top Of The World
encore:
* The Count Of Tuscany Octavarium OR Sleeping Giant and Learning To Live

[Ben_Jamin]

Yeah, I'm way excited for my show. Feb 16 can't come soon enough!!! I LOVE this set.
You have any more pics, Ben? Where were your seats? Looked like about where I am... row 2, edge of stage, Myung side.

I was in Orchestra Row CC in seat 21. I would laugh if you were in front of me. I kept thinking to myself, the guy sitting in front of me looks familiar.

[BFRedrocks]

I'm really excited for my show.
Basically the entire set is absolutely amazing IMO. Wish they'd done SG but such is life I guess.
I like Tuscany, and as I think it over I expect it to be really good live.
Some really pleasant surprises here.
 

I thought CoT made for an epic encore and (for me) it really rocked live. Much better than I thought it would be based on the album version. Great show! Typical Mesa crowd…not super excited, but a big group of us stood the whole time and  . James had a couple of minor hiccups as expected on the first night of the tour, but the band sounded great. JP is simply amazing!!

[UndercoverMyung]

I'm really excited for my show.
Basically the entire set is absolutely amazing IMO. Wish they'd done SG but such is life I guess.
I like Tuscany, and as I think it over I expect it to be really good live.
Some really pleasant surprises here.
 

I thought CoT made for an epic encore and (for me) it really rocked live. Much better than I thought it would be based on the album version. Great show! Typical Mesa crowd…not super excited, but a big group of us stood the whole time and  . James had a couple of minor hiccups as expected on the first night of the tour, but the band sounded great. JP is simply amazing!!

Great to hear! Don't wanna bask in negativity over one song that I don't totally love when the entire set is so amazing, so trying to shift myself to an understanding that every song is better live and that my biggest dislike is the Portnoy vocals which won't be there. How did they handle that? Did James just sing that part?

[Ben_Jamin]

WHAT AN EPIC ENDING!!!

I didn't even look at the time, so didn't get a guess at what would be an encore based on time left. When I heard the first guitar notes, I was all, they're really doing this.

Back at my Hotel room.

This was an amazing show and an amazing, surprising Setlist.