The Dream became real in London. Veteran prog-metal masters Dream Theater formally kicked off their 40th anniversary tour at the O2 Arena last night (October 20th), performing a career-spanning set with drummer Mike Portnoy in the live lineup for the first time since 2010.
The band’s world tour launched with a performance of Images and Words classic “Metropolis Pt. 1: The Miracle and the Sleeper,” which led into a medley from the band’s Metropolis 2 era. Dream Theater also brought out a bunch of songs that they hadn’t played in over a decade, including “The Mirror,” “Octavarium,” and “Stream of Consciousness” — the latter of which not having been performed by Dream Theater since 2004.
In a, well, dramatic turn of events, the show also found Portnoy, who rejoined the group formally in 2023, performing a handful of songs the band had recorded after his departure 14 years ago. So, this meant the drum god bounded into tracks like A Dramatic Turn of Events’ “This Is the Life” and Distance Over Time’s “Barstool Warrior” with his signature percussive flair.
The show also crossed the band into their latest era via the live debut of “Night Terror,” the first single from Dream Theater’s forthcoming Parasomnia LP.
You can see fan-shot live clips from the UK performance up above and down below, where you’ll likewise find the full setlist details (via setlist.fm).
As previously reported, Dream Theater’s 40th anniversary tour runs through Europe until the end of November, with the trek resuming tomorrow (October 22nd) at the Uber Eats Music Hall in Berlin, Germany. The band likewise have a run of North American dates planned for 2025.
As for Parasomnia, the band’s sixteenth studio album — and Portnoy’s first with the act since 2009’s Black Clouds & Silver Linings — is out February 7th via Inside Out Music/Sony Music.
Dream Theater setlist 10/20/24:
Metropolis Pt. 1: The Miracle And The Sleeper
Act I: Scene Two: I. Overture 1928
Act I: Scene Two: II. Strange Déjà Vu
The Mirror
Panic Attack
Barstool Warrior
Hollow Years
Constant Motion
As I Am
Night Terror
This Is The Life
Under A Glass Moon
Vacant
Stream Of Consciousness
Octavarium
Act II: Scene Six: Home
Act II: Scene Eight: The Spirit Carries On
Pull Me Under