Fans were pinching themselves to make sure they weren’t dreaming, seeing Mike Portnoy and John Petrucci on stage together again after 14 years.
Dream Theater‘s recent tour, marking the return of founding drummer Mike Portnoy after a 14-year absence, has been hailed as a triumph by fans and critics alike. Currently on a global tour in celebration of their 40th year as a band, the band stopped at the Raleigh Memorial Auditorium in Raleigh, NC, and delivered an immersive, fan-delighting evening of progressive rock.
The sold-out crowd of over 2,300 people were primarily 40+ years of age and were adorned in everything from Rush to Kings X, Pantera, and, of course, Dream Theater shirts from every era of the band. Dream Theater’s latest album, Parasomnia, was released one day earlier and while waiting for the show to start, many fans spoke glowingly about their first listen. The biggest excitement in the room was seeing Mike Portnoy returning to the band and performing this evening. A returning Portnoy to the Dream Theater studio and now the stage alongside founding guitarist John Petrucci was the best gift fans could ask for.
Presented in two acts with a long encore, this was an evening with Dream Theater with no opening bands. The lengthy setlist pulled songs from a wide variety of albums, including both new and old music from the band’s discography. With 16 full-length studio albums to choose from, Dream Theater’s dedicated fans left satisfied but wishing the band would perform for an additional three hours just to include all their favorite songs.
Opening with the nearly 10-minute “Metropolis Pt. 1: The Miracle and the Sleeper,” the Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts lit up like a space-age rainbow with heavy-duty lighting, lasers, and giant video screens behind a massive drum kit for Mike Portnoy. Hypnotic visuals accentuated the blisteringly fast and highly technical guitar solos by John Petrucci. Performing compositions as complicated as Dream Theater’s left no room for movement on stage. Each member focused intently on every note, several members used sheet music to keep themselves honest during the performance and remained mentally strong to stay locked in with their bandmates.
Mike Portnoy was the most consistently animated of the band, smiling for most of the show and standing up regularly to engage the audience for a cheer or to start clapping. Portnoy, Petrucci, bassist John Myung, and keyboardist Jordan Rudess, all approaching 60 years of age (Jordan pushing 70) played ferociously. Vocalist James LaBrie, the long-time voice for Dream Theater, sounded strong and went after the high notes without fear. James spoke regularly with the audience, introduced songs, and always stood on the front edges of the stage, reaching out for fist bumps or hanging the microphone over the singing crowd, breaking down the wall between the band and fans. The set list included “Panic Attack,” “Night Terror” from the newly released album Parasomnia, and the big anthemic “Pull Me Under” to close out the show. Songs such as “Under a Glass Moon” and “Stream of Consciousness” were recognized almost instantly as they began, creating huge applause every time.
As amazing as the band was, the audience was arguably the highlight of the evening. Phones did come out upon occasion to record a moment or two, but for the most part, phones were away and everyone was locked in. It was loud chaos when songs ended with applause, cheering, and horns thrown into the air that did not stop until the next song began. These were true, deeply committed fans and their enthusiasm created an energy in the room like this was the best rock show, ever. There was no question the audience energy fueled the band throughout the evening, leaving each band member sweaty but smiling broadly for their final bows and thanks.
The 40th-anniversary celebration tour for Dream Theater continues through July, ending in France. Many dates globally are already sold out, a fitting honor for one of progressive metal’s founding fathers who is still as strong as ever.DREAM THEATER
Website Facebook X
MARTIN MARIETTA CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
Website Facebook X
