Prog Rock legends Dream Theater brought their 40th Anniversary tour to MGM Northfield Park’s Center Stage last night, to a sold-out and very appreciative crowd who stood for the entirety of their approximately three-hour performance. Original drummer and founding member Mike Portnoy has triumphantly returned to the band after a 12 year departure. His charismatic and dynamic position behind the drumkit has breathed new life into the band. Riding high on the success of Parasomnia, released only a month ago, the band is nearing the end of 30 dates in the U.S. and Canada, after performing almost as many dates throughout Europe.
Mike Portnoy is clearly loving being back in the band. His joyous and energetic presence, perched high on a drum riser, found him frequently standing and encouraging the crowd to erupt, clap, and show their appreciation. In a band that is basically stoic, having the emotive and energetic Portnoy back makes their stage presence much more exciting. Like everyone in the band, Portnoy is a virtuoso. Playing with speed, finesse, and mind-boggling complexity, Portnoy not only surpasses technical excellence, but also plays with feeling, stays deep in the pocket, and knows how to groove, a welcome change from the robotic and unemotional playing of Mike Mangini, who took Portnoy’s place from 2010 until his return in 2023.
John Petrucci is one of the best guitarists in the history of rock. He can shred better than almost anyone, but also has the ability to interject slow, melodic, tasty interludes when necessary. He is perfect at walking that fine line and adding the perfect elements to every song.
John Myung’s mannequin-like stage presence finds him glued to his spot, letting his fingers do the talking. His intricate and unusual bass flavorings, reminiscent of Geddy Lee, gel perfectly with Portnoy and create a rhythm section unmatched in the world of prog rock and metal.
Keyboardist Jordan Rudess, with his custom-made swiveling keyboard, adds a flair and complexity perfectly complimenting his bandmates. Just a few years shy of his 70th birthday, he is the oldest in the band by almost a decade, but his majestic mastery has not begun to slow with age.
Singer James LaBrie has struggled on the stage for many years. Last night, he sounded great on many songs and faltered on others, with no rhyme or reason behind the vocal difficulties. It was not just during high notes, or powerful vocal melodies, that found him slipping. Several times, he would extend his mic stand into the crowd, until the mic fell off the stand into the audience and had to be passed through several rows of fans back to the singer.
This performance was the best Dream Theater has given this area in many tours. The last few Northeast Ohio shows with Mike Mangini found the band almost going through the motions. Now that Portnoy has returned and the core of the band is again intact, the fire and fury of prog rock’s most celebrated band is back, and with a vengeance. The breakneck pace of the performance was quickly interrupted about 15 minutes into the first set, when all power inside the venue was lost. It took a frantic staff around thirty minutes to restore the electricity to the venue, resulting in a shortening of the band’s lengthy setlist. But it didn’t seem to faze the crowd, which erupted at the end of the career-spanning show.
