Concert Review: Dream Theater, Parasomnia Tour, Proctor's Theatre in Schenectady, NY

Dream Theater is on the Parasomnia 2025 US Tour - which also happens to be their 40th year anniversary.   On October 23rd they brought their tour into Proctor's Theatre in Schenectady NY.   I've been a longtime fan - first seeing and photographing them on the "Pull me Under" tour when they played the Palace Theater in Albany NY on May 16th,1993.  I've seen them a few times since - always delivering a great live show!  Musically they are all incredible players besides all of the classic songs that they've recorded they've also done some amazing tribute / cover songs.  

For this tour they are playing their new album "Parasomnia" for act 1. It's really an amazing album with the band blending in a variety of sounds from easy listening to hard rock doing what you'd expect to hear from a Dream Theater album!  

Show highlights for me - the Encore "A Change of Seasons" is one of my favorite pieces from the band, "Night Terror" and "Midnight Messiah" from the new album.  Act ll "Panic Attack", "Peruvian Skies" and the closer "Take the Time".  One of my favorite parts was the "Dead Poets Society" scenes before the encore "(Robin Williams was such a gifted actor and is truly missed)", I loved that the band used these powerful images. 

Their discography is quite intensive with (16) studio albums (13) live albums (5) cover albums plus EP's and other released material

I think it shows a band's true talent when they can take another artist's song, record it and put their own spin on it - and they have done so often.  

Dream Theater consists of long time members:

John Petrucci - Guitars and backing vocals since 1985

John Myung - Bass since 1985

Mike Portnoy - Drums (1985 - 2010 / then returning in 2023)

James LaBrie - Lead Vocals since 1991

Jordan Rudess - Keyboards and occasional guitar since 1999

Tonight's show - They played the new album "Parasomnia" for Act 1, after a 20 minute intermission they returned with Act 2 which pulled music from the band's 16 studio album catalog.  The encore was the entire "Change of Seasons EP". 

Act l (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

Act ll:

Panic Attack

The Enemy Inside

Act l: Scene Three: l. Through My Words

  "   "   "   "   "   "   "   : ll. Fatal Tragedy

The Dark Eternal Night

Peruvian Skies - w/excerpts of "Wish You Were Here" & "Wherever I May Roam:

Take the Time

Encore:

A Change of Seasons: l - The Crimson Sunrise

   "   "   "   "   "   "   "   "    : ll - Innocence

   "   "   "   "   "   "   "   "    : lll - Carpe Diem

   "   "   "   "   "   "   "   "    : lV - The Darkest of Winters

   "   "   "   "   "   "   "   "    : V - Another World

   "   "   "   "   "   "   "   "    : Vl - The Inevitable Summer

   "   "   "   "   "   "   "   "    : Vll - The Crimson Sunset

Afterthoughts:  Truly an experience of great sound, musicianship and incredible lighting and effects.  As the US leg of the tour comes to an end they'll be taking a few months off before venturing to India, Australia, South Korea and Japan.  Those fans will be treated to an amazing show!