Dreaming Of Seeing A Metal Show?

The progressive metal band kicks things off March 5 at Escenica in Monterrey, Mexico, and wraps up the tour with a March 24 gig at Poliedro De Caracas in Venezula.

Additional dates include Auditorio Nacional in Mexico City (March 7), Movistar Arena in Santiago, Chile (March 11), Luna Park in Buenos Aires, Argentina (March 13), CrediCard Hall in Sao Paulo, Brazil (March 19) and Jockey Club in Lima, Peru (March 22).

Dream Theater drummer Mike Portnoy says the band is excited about returning to play South America.

“Our South American audience had become one of the biggest and most passionate for Dream Theater on the planet! We first experienced the intense love affair when we played Brazil for the first time in 1997 and 1998. When we finally returned in 2005, we were able to visit Argentina, Venezuela and Chile as well as Brazil and were overwhelmed by the incredible responses. Our first show in Santiago, Chile, still remains the biggest headlining show the band has done to date with over 20,000 insane fans showing up for a three hour “Evening With Dream Theater.”

He added that Dream Theatre is especially looking forward to playing Lima, Peru, and Porto Alegre, Brazil for the first time.

“We always look forward to playing new cities and countries for the first time. After almost 20 years on the road, they are becoming far and few between for us so it’s always very special for us. There’s nothing more rewarding than playing a song we’ve played over 1,000 times through the years but seeing the excitement on the faces of the audience that are hearing it in person for the very first time!”

After opening for the band on previous North American and European dates, Bigelf will once again join Dream Theater on its March trek.

Portnoy explained that he has taken Bigelf under his wing.

“It’s been my personal mission to help Bigelf get the exposure they’ve been waiting 15 years to receive. I fell in love with them within the first minute of hearing their sound. They are like all of my favorite classic bands wrapped in one: The Beatles, Black Sabbath, Pink Floyd, King Crimson, Queen, etc. … I hope our fans welcome them with open arms and open ears. They are not a technical band like DT, but anybody with good taste in music should be able to appreciate them and fall for them just as I have!”

Click here for Dream Theater’s Web site.