Review by Sheri Bicheno for MPM
A precognitive charm and buzz is in the air before The O2 Arena see’s in a historic evening for Progressive Metal Kings Dream Theater in London.
An Evening with Dream Theater kicks off a seated affair of a 3 hour mesmerizing set, the first night of their 40th anniversary world tour and their first live show in 14 years with returning original drummer, Mike Portnoy.
With an audience traveling far and wide for this show, the only UK date of the 40th Anniversary tour is positively bursting. The tour kicks off today and will run all through to mid 2025.
An ambient single tone rings out from the screen lit stage that’s concealed by a curtain canvassing the most recent surrealism artworks with nods to past album covers.
A roar of cheers fills the Arena before the stage is drowned in darkness and an awesome LED light show carves through the dark with the Dream Theater logo blinking in lasers. The curtain drops and epic riffs stretch across the Arena that reveals a tirade of beautiful lighting amidst captivating fretwork to introduce Metropolis – Part 1: The Miracle and the Sleeper.
Played for the first time since 2017, what a way to open a set…the crowd got to their feet and immediately threw themselves into the energy that was being set before us.
Winding guitar licks and punchy riffs wielded by John Petrucci flow into groove infused notes and speedy interludes to entwine with the beats of the drums.
James LaBrie skits across the stage with mic stand in hand and bellows into the mic with forceful energy and major range that is underlined beautifully by empowering keys from Jordan Rudess.
Nearing towards the end of the track, the keys take a galactic pattern and make space for some purely maddening riffs and guitar interludes that ebb into an intricate progressive set of harmonies.
“I wish each and every one of you could be up here to behold this beautiful thing!” James greets the crowd and is met by a deafening roar.
“We got a lot of f^cking music to play here tonight – are you with us!? LETS GO!”
Seamlessly drifting into a depth of synth keys and bullet speed riffs, Act I: Scene Two: I Overture twists into a journey of high groove notes and ethereal keys to channel us into a track that twists and turns at every move.
With winding guitars that drop into choppy riffs and rumbling bassnotes catapulting into atmospheric solos and tech infused drums, we’re taken through a blissful few moments where so many colours of sound are blended to come together beautifully before Act I: Scene Two: II Strange Deja Vu sweeps in with heavier prog notes.
James’ vocal range displays clean and melodic singing amongst the blend of technical progressive guitar work and tempo changing intricacy behind the kit from Mike. A memorable start to the night…
“Tonight is a momentous occasion. You might have recognised someone on stage with us tonight and it’s surreal… MIKE PORTNOY!”
Man, the cheer from the crowd was rightly deafening – this was a proper celebration and the mood of the crowd was contagiously uplifting.
Next song The Mirror hasn’t seen a live play for 10 years and I think it was one of my favourites of the evening.
Sliding into some stunningly chunky fretwork and some thrilling key synths combining together, you feel like you’re about to step into an old cult horror movie soundtrack. I adore how the guitar riffs and slides blend so well with the synths to create that chilling mood amongst the inferno of drum beats. People on their feet were fist punching the air and spinning in the ambience crafted under the trembling bassnotes of John Myung backbone into the beautiful guitar and key solos.
The next song we’re about to do – we’re taking you back to talking about two people who couldnt be more opposite from eachother. They dont know how they ended up where they are today and will aways look to turn things around.”
Barstool Warrior serves as a fan favourite and the first time that it’s played with Mike on the drums.
Kicking into a climb of progressive strings that touch into interludes of keys and dreamlike melodies, there are so many different tempos to soak into this track. It’s live setting has a huge energy that pours into the crowd and sucks in the uplifting atmospherics surrounding the beautiful vocals and emotion filled harmonies. Ranging between high energy and somber keys gives this track a tear-jerking reaction – John is an exceptional guitarist and totally encapsulates the heartstrings of the track in places between the power of the vocals and drum directions.
Speaking of tear-jerkers… I was totally pulled in by the catharsis and stunning emotions captured in next track, Hollow Years.
Probably my most favourite track of the evening, the utterly beautiful guitars sweep in quietly under James’ striking vocals that are crystal clear and full of powerful moods – and sees the O2 Arena littered with shining lights in the darkness of the audience.
“Getting a little emotional in here” James addresses the crowd before the song concludes into a softness that fades into a dark stage.
In total contrast, As I Am bludgeons in some purely evil riffs that give off a doomy filled edge before jamming through a more skippy and articulate tirade of riffs amongst James’ chanting vocals.
This is a killer example of one of Dream Theater’s heavier sides and has the whole of the Arena headbanging.
After a 20 minute break, the second half of the night see’s it’s kick off with the first live debut of newest single Night Terror.
With a sharpened heaviness to the edge of the melodic riffs, we’re spiralled into a blast beating introduction to new Dream Theater that couples maddening riffs and thundering bass notes twisting into progressive grooves.
The vocals on this track from both James and Mike dual across the winding injections of keys that give a retro vibe into the heaviness of the track. Bloody brilliant!
“You’ve made this for 5 people up here a dream come true. We dont ever take this for granted. Here is where we make history tonight. The message in this song is not to worry about everyone else, live your life.”
This Is The Life is another rarity in a setlist and is the first time with Mike – and it is truly a stunning piece of work.
Ranging from sombre keys and beautiful guitars, there are pure dreamscapes nestled in the moods of this track – heartfelt piano pieces hand in hand with light infused guitar harmonies trace the underline of the beautiful tones of James’ clean singing to a crowd that once again, lights up their torches in the dark.
The solo’s orchestrated here by John are full of stunning moments that take you off into the ether and drift you through moods that lift and raise you upwards to a powerful pull of emotion and Mike’s epic soundscapes behind the kit.
Winding epic guitars sweep into a roaring audience that lift into Under A Glass Moon. Ending into melting into a chunky riff throughout the journey of both choppy paths and retro infused keys, we’re then taken on an experience of Stream Of Consciousness -a stunning instrumental that pulls the world from under your feet after a melancholic intro.
Chunky riffs and intricate cymbal work glides through the tempo changes and beautifully crafted interludes of different directions that the music takes.
This is a wonderful example of the chemistry on stage between strings and drums. The bassline is the backbone to the ever changing depths of guitars and intricate fretwork amongst the solos, experimenting with the excellent drum techniques that deliver different paces and winding speeds to bring it together.
As fully expected from a significant show as this, we’re taken into a 24 minute utter experience of Dream Theater masterpiece Octavarium. A jawdropping display of musicianship and skill from the OG’s of Prog Metal at some of their finest.
With moments ranging between chilled out light tones to winding guitar strings echoing through cosmic sections that flawlessly fold into pacier moods and manic, fun interjections – this track creates a amalgamation of genres of sorts. Concluding with James’ vocals pushing further past the threshold of powerful tones, this has well and truly left it’s mark on London tonight.
After a standing encore, the screen lights up to show an iconic clip from Wizard of Oz.
“There’s no place like home…”
Stunning melodics intro the guitars back onto the stage and we’re taken through Act II: Scene Six: Home which offers a chuggy and punchy number into the audience – with the crowd shouting the lyrics back to the stage. Epic energy injected into edges of the heaviness of the track, this gives a headbanging momentum and sees people still up from their seats vibing to the ambience.
Act II: Scene Eight: The Spirit Carries On churns out some of the best guitar solos that music has to offer today – and ending on Pull Me Under was without doubt one of the most beautiful ends to an exceptionally gorgeous evening.
Another favourite, the coming together of the stunning guitarwork and atmospherics amongst the drums and bass pull together an energetic and where atmospheric in places, some also heavy and chuggy momentums.
The final vocals in this end offering reached to the rafters of the O2 Arena amongst powerful notes of the stage. With the audience shouting back the lyrics to the stage, the night ended on a completely memorable high and I’d hope to think, set the bar for the rest of the tour…
This was a very special experience and to be part of the celebrations was truly something to behold.
Do not miss out on the upcoming tour – you’re in for an exceptionally beautiful ride!
Photography by Jon Theobald for MPM
