Features
Dream Theater’s 2014 Euro Expedition
The progressive metal band fills up the first two months of its 2014 calendar with gigs planned across Europe and the U.K. Supporting a new album dropping in the fall, Dream Theater starts the touring frenzy in Portugal and promises to play North America in March.
Photo: Roadrunner Records
Left to right, Mike Mangini, John Myung, James LaBrie, Jordan Rudess and John Petrucci.
Do you know the name of Dream Theater’s album coming out Sept. 24? Ok, we’ll admit that’s a trick question because the upcoming disc produced by the band’s John Petrucci is the group’s first-ever self-titled project.
“I see every new album as an opportunity to start over,” Petrucci said. “To either build or improve upon a direction that has been evolving over time or to completely break new ground. This is the first self-titled album of our career and there is nothing I can think of that makes a statement of musical and creative identity stronger than that. We’ve fully explored all of the elements that make us unique, from the epic and intense to the atmospheric and cinematic. We’re incredibly excited about Dream Theater and can’t wait for everyone to hear it.”
Meanwhile, the Dream Theater touring machine is gearing up for 30 dates in 16 countries followed by a yet-to-be-revealed North American journey. Here’s what is confirmed so far:
Jan. 15 – Oporto, Portugal, Coliseu Do Porto
Jan. 16 – Madrid, Spain, Palacio Vistalegre
Jan. 17 – Pamplona, Spain, Polideportivo Anaitasuna
Jan. 18 – Barcelona, Spain, Palau Sant Jordi
Jan. 20 – Assago, Italy, Mediolanum Forum
Jan. 21 – Florence, Italy, Obihall
Jan. 22 – Rome, Italy, PalaLottomatica
Jan. 23 – Padova, Italy, Gran Teatro Geox
Jan. 25 – Vienna, Austria, Gasometer
Jan. 26 – Munich, Germany, Zenith
Jan. 27 – Zurich, Switzerland, Volkshaus
Jan. 29 – Liberec, Czech Republic, Tipsport Arena
Jan. 30 – Ludwigsburg, Germany, Arena
Jan. 31 – Paris, France, Zenith Paris
Feb. 1 – Offenbach, Germany, Stadthalle Offenbach Veranstaltungs
Feb. 3 – Zagreb, Croatia, Cibona Hall
Feb. 4 – Ljubljana, Slovenia, Dvorana Tivoli
Feb. 5 – Katowice, Poland, Spodek Sporthall
Feb. 7 – Bamberg, Germany, Stechert Arena
Feb. 8 – Deinze, Belgium, Brielpoort
Feb. 9 – Hannover, Germany, Swiss Life Hall
Feb. 10 – Saarbrucken, Germany, Saarlandhalle
Feb. 12 – Lille, France, Aeronef
Feb. 13 – Manchester, United Kingdom, O2 Apollo Manchester
Feb. 14 – London, United Kingdom, Wembley Arena
Feb. 15 – Wolverhampton, United Kingdom, Wolverhampton Civic Hall
Feb. 17 – Amsterdam, Netherlands, Heineken Music Hall
Feb. 18 – Dusseldorf, Germany, Mitsubishi Electric Halle
Feb. 20 – Copenhagen, Denmark, Falkoner Theatre
Feb. 24 – Helsinki, Finland, Helsinki Ice Arena
Pre-sales, including VIP packages, begin June 25. Head over to DreamTheater.net for what you need to know.