**SPOILERS**
Finally got around to writing my thoughts, this was my 19th DT show since 1994 and it never gets old! First, how fortunate Triangle area people were when they moved it to Raleigh from Charlotte? Especially as it was a rainy night, so I hope our friends who had to make the drive from Charlotte got home safe! Suffice to say, I'm certain we'll be driving down to Charlotte or up to Richmond next time...
First, the set list... again SPOILERS. After the last three tours of full albums (Astonishing, I&W, SFaM) we got some diversity...however, not as much as I hoped with only 6 / 14 past albums represented and a handful of new songs. Set started off great with some ones we've haven't seen in awhile (6:00, Endless Sacrifice), the first 'head scratcher' for me was 'Bridges in the Sky'. Look, I love the song, just not certain why they chose it over many others from the 'Mangini' era, especially something that hasn't been played yet (Surrender to Reason, Behind the Veil, Room 137...). Either way, I'm glad they played it. 'About to Crash' was awesome to hear again, and nice nod to 6DOIT which is celebrating it's 20th this year.
The biggest wtf to me was 'Ministry of Lost Souls'. I probably haven't listened to that one in over a decade, so I was 'lost' lol... I'm not certain playing a 15-min obscure epic made sense right before you played two more epics. They couldv'e done two 'shorter' ones, something off I&W imo, in this spot. Look it was played well, it just seemed unnecessary.
Despite seeing them 19x over the past 28 years, they always pull out something I've never seen. Enter the 'Count of Tuscany', awesome, but...maybe save 5 mins for a shorter closing song after it? The new songs they chose were not the ones I would've; I missed 'Answering the Call' and 'Transcending Time', which I think are better songs than 'Awaken the Master' and 'Invisible Monster'. Of course 'View from the Top of the World', 'Alien' were great. Overall, I think they could make some changes to the set that would make for a better show. Look I'm ecstatic they played 20 mins from my house and cover Barry Manilow and I would be happy. That being said, skipping your two most popular albums (I & W, SFaM) probably is why there were a lot of empty seats in the back...
James had some trouble during this show, during 'Tuscany' he tripped and almost went into the crowd. Jordan didn't seem 'happy' like usual during the set. Mike, JP, seemed very into it. And Myung...well in 28 years I've never seen him crack a smile during any show lol. Head down as usual.
Touring during covid must be a nightmare, and perhaps that's the energy I was sensing from Jordan and James. But overall, very grateful they came and hoping if they tour this fall we get an area show (Charlotte, Greensboro, W-S, Richmond).