To celebrate the 40th Anniversary of Dream Theater, the band ignited the stage and transformed the vibe with their creative visuals at Proctors Theater in Schenectady, NY on October 23, 2025.
James LaBrie performed with such powerful, raw and emotional vocals throughout the evening. John Petrucci took the stage wielding his guitar and delivering strategic rhythm and heavy riffs that intertwined seamlessly with the harmonious and unique vibrations of John Myung’s bass techniques. Mike Portnoy maintained a high energy beat throughout the evening pounding away on his drum set with great passion. His drumming style was very eclectic and complex. Jordan Rudess absolutely displayed heavy emotion on the keys this evening. His solo was very intricate and calculated – the key frequencies blended throughout the evening with much passion alongside the other band members.
They performed two amazing sets nearing almost two full hours. They started the evening off with performing their newest album Parasomnia in its entirety. The band released this album this past February and it is already loved by their fanbase. The album pairing with the visuals displayed throughout the evening depicted the story and message the band set out to portray to the much enthusiastic crowd at Proctors this evening.
In Act II, the band played many of their classic songs including “As I Am”, “The Enemy Inside,” and “Panic Attack”. Towards the end of their second act they performed “Peruvian Skies,” which featured a touch of Metallica, mixed with some melodies from Pink Floyd – which I felt was an interesting transition. “Take The Time” also featured a bit of Rush’s classic “Tom Sawyer.”
During the encore – the band showcased a scene from Dead Poets Society where they quote the famous scene “Gather ye rosebuds while ye may, Old time is still a flying, and this same flower that smiles today, tomorrow will be dying.” The band then concluded the evening while performing “A Change of Seasons” with laser lights illuminating the crowd, and further enhancing the epic experience of the evening.
Dream Theater set list (via setlist.fm)
Prelude (Bernard Herrmann song on tape)
Act I (Parasomnia):
In the Arms of Morpheus
Night Terror
A Broken Man
Dead Asleep
Midnight Messiah
Are We Dreaming?
Bend the Clock
The Shadow Man Incident
Let’s All Go to the Lobby (on tape)
Act II:
La Gazza Ladra (Gioachino Rossini song)
As I Am
The Enemy Inside
Panic Attack
Act I: Scene Three: I. Through My Words
Act I: Scene Three: II. Fatal Tragedy
Peruvian Skies (with excerpts of “Nothing Else Matters,” “Wish You Were Here,” and “Wherever I May Roam”)
Take the Time (abridged version; with excerpt of “Tom Sawyer”)
Encore:
Dead Poets Society (on tape)
A Change of Seasons: I The Crimson Sunrise
A Change of Seasons: II Innocence
A Change of Seasons: III Carpe Diem
A Change of Seasons: IV The Darkest of Winters
A Change of Seasons: V Another World
A Change of Seasons: VI The Inevitable Summer
A Change of Seasons: VII The Crimson Sunset (with excerpt of “A Fortune in Lies”)
Singin’ in the Rain (Arthur Freed & Nacio Herb Brown song on tape)
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WORDS AND PHOTOS BY RACHAEL SKINNER
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