In a new chat with Serbia’s Highwaystar Magazine, Jordan Rudess explained why Mike Portnoy’s reunion with Dream Theater was so important.
After being asked about Portnoy, who returned to the band in October after 13 years away, the keyboardist commented on the reunion:
“Well, it was so great to have him back. In many ways, it feels like we never lost a beat. Because he was one of the ones who started this band, and he loves it so much, the welcoming process was really immediate and we’re all so happy to kind of re-establish what we had. I mean, it feels like getting the core band together again.”
Dream Theater Has An Upcoming Tour
Rudess also discussed Dream Theater’s upcoming 40th Anniversary Tour 2024 – 2025. It’s the band’s first tour since Portnoy rejoined, presented as ‘An Evening With Dream Theater.’ He said the following about what to expect from the first show:
“Well, it’s gonna be a very, very exciting concert, as you know, because everybody’s so excited about this reunion of all of us. And Mike will also have a lot to do with helping to pick the songs that we play in the setlist. That’s one of his great talents, to decide things like that.”
Jordan reflected more on the possible setlist:
“And it’ll be just a celebration. We’re gonna play a bunch of songs from our catalog. We’ll pick some ones that everybody really wants to hear. And, yeah, I think they can expect probably one of the most exciting Dream Theater shows that they’ve ever been to. I can almost guarantee it.”
James LaBrie’s Thoughts On Portnoy’s Leadership
Another band member, James LaBrie is also happy about Portnoy’s leadership in taking over the setlist. The singer told Igor Miranda in June:
“And just so you know, we let Mike Portnoy take over the setlist again. So he’s back to creating the setlist and he’s doing, like we were almost positive he would, he’s done a terrific job. I mean, the setlist he put together… And the thing is with Mike, he was saying, ‘Hey, guys, if there’s a song you don’t wanna do, let me know. If there’s songs that you really wanna do, let me know.’ And so there’s some very strong and cool communication going on. But yeah, he’s glad to be putting the setlist together.”
Dream Theater’s 40th Anniversary Tour 2024 – 2025 in Europe covers 23 cities, starting in Zagreb, Croatia, on October 20 and ending on November 24. The band also finished writing their new album but the release date isn’t known yet.