Dream Theater Concert Review-Arizona Financial Theater 2-18-25

Review and Photos by Roc Boyum

Dream Theater’s 40th anniversary tour made its way to the Arizona Financial Theater in Phoenix, AZ, on February 18, 2025, captivating a full house that was buzzing with excitement for the event. Reaching a 40th anniversary is a significant achievement, celebrated by only a few select bands, especially within the prog/metal genre. This tour is particularly remarkable due to the return of original founding member Mike Portnoy, who has rejoined the band both live and on record for the first time in thirteen/fourteen years (depending on your accounting).

Before I delve into the show review, I’d like to emphasize that after 13 or 14 years with the exceptionally talented Mike Mangini on drums, I had almost forgotten Mike Portnoy’s unique style with Dream Theater, which is truly remarkable. Portnoy played as if he were casually jamming with the band, his sticks landing in perfect harmony. It’s clear that Dream Theater is deeply embedded in Portnoy’s essence, likely explaining his spontaneous playing style. Both Portnoy and Mangini exhibit an extraordinary and impeccable precision that echoes Bruce Lee’s philosophy — “be like water.” In Portnoy’s case, he appears to be instinctively in tune with the music, responding organically rather than relying solely on learned techniques.

The audience was instantly captivated by stunning video visuals displayed on three large screens behind Portnoy, perfectly synchronized with the band’s music. Additionally, the front of Portnoy’s drum riser featured a video screen that extended the visuals shown on the larger screens, and the overall lighting setup featured a backlit design, incorporating lasers, mood lights, and occasional flashing strobe lights. This created a captivating visual dynamic, enhancing the overall experience and from the moment the band took the stage, the audience sprang to their feet as they launched into their set.

The band kicked off their performance with the beloved opus classic “Metropolis Pt. 1: The Miracle and the Sleeper” from their 1992 album Images and Words, which hadn’t been performed live since their Images, Words and Beyond tour in 2017.

The band continued to take their audience on a nostalgic journey by performing two masterful tracks from their Metropolis Pt. 2: Scenes from a Memory album, which had not been featured on stage since 2020. They played “Act 1: Scene 2: I. Overture 1928” and “Act 1: Scene 2: II. Strange Déjà Vu.”

During the performance of “The Mirror,” keyboardist Jordan Rudess delivered a captivating solo infused with a psychedelic essence that entranced the audience.

Bassist John Myung launched into the intense opening of “Panic Attack,” leading into the song’s frenetic syncopation that had the crowd roaring with excitement.

Only one song was featured from their Distance Over Time LP, and the classic 70s-inspired prog track “Barstool Warrior” emerged as the standout choice. This song showcases soaring emo guitar riffs, expansive mellotron-like key pads, and exquisite vocal melodies that had singer James LaBrie engaging the audience, encouraging them to sing along and sway their arms to the emotional melodies.

The band concluded Act 1 with the performances of “Hallow Years,” “Under a Glass Moon,” and “The Dark Eternal Night” in that order.

Following Petrucci’s solo in “Hallow Years,” the audience illuminated the venue with their lighted cell phones, creating a truly emotional moment.

Act II began with the two tracks from their latest album, Parasomnia: “Night Terror” and “Midnight Messiah”. Both performances were fantastic to experience live. Personally, I would have appreciated hearing a few more songs from Parasomnia.

In the opening of “Night Terror,” Portnoy stood up while performing and encouraged everyone to rise and participate. Following his lead, the entire venue transformed into a wave of energetic, pumping fists, leaving no one seated.

The band’s regular set concluded with “This is the Life,” “Vacant,” “Stream of Consciousness,” and “Octavarium,” featuring the instrumental showcase of “Stream of Consciousness,” which delivered the most mind blowing psychedelic visuals of the evening.

“Octavarium” wrapped up the standard performance, leaving the Phoenix audience roaring with enthusiastic applause and gratitude for the progressive metal masters.

The encore featured Act II: Scene Six: Home, followed by “Act II: Scene Eight: The Spirit Carries On,” and concluded with “Pull Me Under.”

“Act II: Scene Eight: The Spirit Carries On” showcased the most remarkable display of cell phone lights of the evening.

We all anticipate that the song “Pull Me Under” will inspire a lively sing-along, but I was pleasantly surprised to see the audience knew the lyrics to nearly every song, singing along throughout the entire performance. Naturally, “Pull Me Under” stood out as the top choice for audience participation making this a night to remember for a long time to come.

As one concert goer imparted to me…”What an incredible show, NOBODY ELSE CAN DO THAT!!!“

Be sure to catch this one of a kind Dream Theater 40th Anniversary show -it will be a night you will never forget!