Live Review: Dream Theater – 40th Anniversary Tour – O2 Arena, London

Dream Theater’s 40th anniversary world tour launched with a landmark show at London’s O2 Arena. This night marked not only their first headlining performance at the venue but also the highly anticipated return of original drummer, Mike Portnoy, after a 14-year absence. The excitement in the air was palpable as fans from across the globe packed the arena for this monumental occasion.

The band opened with ‘Metropolis Pt 1′, a clear crowd-pleaser that had the audience on their feet within seconds. Portnoy’s return felt effortless, as if he’d never left. Without missing a beat, they dove into ‘Overture 1928’ and ‘Strange Déjà Vu’ from ‘Metropolis Pt 2′, a bold move that reaffirmed their mastery of progressive metal right from the start. Frontman James LaBrie was in fine form, navigating the demanding set with only a few minor hiccups, but the audience’s energy lifted him throughout the night.

The setlist was a well-curated journey through the band’s extensive catalogue. ‘The Mirror’ stood out as one of the night’s strongest performances, with LaBrie’s vocals in top shape. ‘Panic Attack’ showcased the reunion of Portnoy and bassist John Myung, whose tight, thundering rhythms reminded everyone of their unmatched synergy. A more reflective moment came with ‘Hollow Years’, which featured a soulful solo from John Petrucci and lush keyboard textures from Jordan Rudess, demonstrating the band’s ability to balance intensity with emotion.

Dream Theater also dipped into their more recent material, addressing fans’ curiosity about whether songs from the Mike Mangini era would appear in the set. Both ‘Barstool Warrior’ and ‘This Is The Life’ were well received, sitting comfortably alongside the classics. The first set ended with an explosive rendition of ‘As I Am’, sending the crowd into intermission buzzing with excitement.

The second half opened with the live debut of their new single ‘Night Terror’, which fit seamlessly into the set, offering a fresh but familiar Dream Theater sound. From there, the band treated the audience to deeper cuts like ‘Vacant’ and the sprawling instrumental ‘Stream of Consciousness’. These tracks allowed the band to display their technical prowess, with each member contributing to a flawless performance that held the audience’s attention throughout.

One of the night’s most memorable moments occurred just before the band played ‘Home’. A clip from The Wizard of Oz appeared on the screens, with Dorothy’s iconic “There’s no place like home” setting the perfect stage for the song. As the opening notes of ‘Home’ rang out, the crowd erupted, singing along to one of the most beloved tracks from ‘Metropolis Pt 2′. This was a standout moment, capturing the full emotional weight of the evening.

As the show neared its conclusion, Dream Theater pulled out all the stops with the 24-minute epic ‘Octavarium’, a masterclass in prog-metal composition that flew by. Finally, they brought the night to a close with ‘The Spirit Carries On’, a moving singalong that united the entire arena, followed by a rousing performance of ‘Pull Me Under’, ending the three-hour set on a high note.

This night was a celebration of Dream Theater’s enduring legacy, with Portnoy’s return adding extra significance. The setlist, filled with fan favourites and newer tracks, showcased the band’s evolution while staying true to their roots, delivering an unforgettable night for both long-time followers and newcomers alike.