Anthony S. Anselmo

I grew attached to Dream Theater when I saw them open for Yes in 2004. Have to say since then I've become a big fan (although I really didn't get big into them till about a year later.) When they came around in 2007 to Cleveland I decided to take a quick road trip up for the evening to check them out.  You don't hear music like this everyday... or so I thought.

I was completely surprised at my surroundings (minus the fact that Time Warner Amphitheater completely sucks in terms of courtesy and facilities). Previous concerts I usually attend the crowd is usually around my age or older. However, Dream Theater had an extremely young crowd. I first thought everyone was there for another band, but I was wrong, they were there for Dream Theater! Holy crap, ‘I’m actually listening to a hip band!’ I thought.

Dream Theater themselves were amazing in performance as usual. Minus the big BLINDING lights they would show on the audience, the band is technically amazing. The setlist was a bit of their less popular songs (new album stuff, Blind Faith, Panic Attack), and of course the good stuff was a medley at the end (Trial of Tears, Learning to Live etc…) But all in all it was an amazing show both in music (very loud too) and abilities.

My biggest surprise was to find a local Cleveland High School band opening up right as the gates opened. I have to saw this instrumental band was ten times better than the two opening acts for Dream Theater. Holy crap, I have never seen high schoolers be able to play this well and music that was this good! The group Gravity is definitely going to be the next Dream Theater in my opinion.

All this gave me hope that the younger generation actually enjoys music that is more creative, technical and progressive instead of all this pop shit you see all the time.