Venue: Wembley Arena, London

Date: 14/02/14

The last time Dream Theater played Wembley Arena was in support of A Dramatic Turn Of Events, their first album without Mike Portnoy and one that garnered them with unexpected plaudits including a Top 10 Billboard album chart billing. Now, with the self-assurance of a band that feel wholeheartedly confident about their current line-up now completed by Mike Mangini, their eponymous twelfth album is a statement of intent and their Evening With... and its ensuing three hours’ of live, unadulterated Dream Theater is a sure sign of harmony within in the camp.

While the prospect of watching a whole evening of LaBrie and co ploughing their back catalogue with no respite from support bands or other acts is a divisive proposition, tonight also proves that no matter how much Dream Theater you throw at someone, they can’t fail to entertain. Yes, it would be nice to hear ‘Pull Me Under’, and deep down Portnoy’s absence still smarts, but such points pale into irrelevance with the epic strains of ‘The Mirror’ or ‘Illumination Theory’. And in truth, we always knew it was going to be a bloody good show.

Beginning promptly at 7:30pm the show fires up with a projected video montage of DT album covers throughout the years (they really do have some great artwork) to whet the appetites in the seated arena which retains bums in seats for a fraction of a second as ‘The Enemy Inside’ cues a collective display of jubilation.

It’s the new material from last year’s self-titled record that pulls in the cheers tonight despite ample excerpts from Awake and Scenes From A Memory comprising the main building blocks of their set. ‘The Enemy Inside’ is the first example of their return-to-form, elevating an already tantalising slab of new material into the ether by bringing it to life with relaxed but astounding proficiency. Jordan Rudess looks typically at-ease, Petrucci’s first solo of the night is clean and tight and Mangini makes full use of his kit that extends above and beyond his eye-line.

A dip into Black Clouds & Silver Linings and A Dramatic Turn Of Events treats us to an eye-widening rendition of ‘The Shattered Fortress’ and ‘On The Backs Of Angels’ respectively, the latter delivering a shot of endorphins when LaBrie emphasises the words ‘like a lamb to the slaughter’. A lot of effort has gone into ensuring that tonight’s show is a spectacle, boasting vivid laser light beams and a stream of videos – filmed and animated - that parade on a huge screen behind the band. Highlights include a cartoon version of the band as a mob of intrepid sleuths and a hilarious montage of YouTube sourced DT spoof clips including a face-off between Petrucci and Joe Satriani played during the interval. Here the 21st century Dream Theater show that they are genuinely funny.

Act two loses nothing in majesty, urgency or sheer metallic gusto with a deep dive into the 1994 opus Awake. ‘Scarred’ is sublime and LaBrie never falters, delivering every word with expert timing and clarity, even stopping for a cursory Valentine’s message for all the ladies while Rudess’ spot-lit piano solo on ‘Space-Dye Vest’ is a perfect moment of classical respite.

A remarkable take from Scenes From A Memory is a final shot at seamless virtuosity, bringing together the jazzy trigger-finger zip of Petrucci and John Myung who play with such breathtaking attention to detail that we’re left wondering if they could be any better. Green luminosity engulfs the arena, climaxing in a rousing push from ‘Finally Free’ and a return to the bombastic ode of ‘Illumination Theory’ as the band, imperious, take a well-deserved bow.

—Holly Wright