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FRI , NOV 04
SANTERIA SUBLIME TRIBUTE
WHAT ’ S OUR AGE AGAIN
BLINK-182 TRIBUTE
WEEZE WEEZER TRIBUTE
FRI , NOV 11
REGGAETON RAVE
FRI , NOV 18
CHRIS TRAVIS
WED , NOV 23
COVET
SUN , DEC 04
MICK
FOLEY MANKIND , WWE , etc
WED , FEB 15
VISIONS OF ATLANTIS
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SAT , NOV 05
DJ PAUL of THREE 6 MAFIA
DIZZY WRIGHT
MON , NOV 14
SETH ANTHONY
HARD TARGET
SAT , NOV 19 BASSGIVING featuring
MEGALODON
DIRTY SNATCHA B2B BOU $ HY
DOGMA
SAT , NOV 26
INVENT HORIZON
THE RIGHTEOUS & FEW
FRI , DEC 09
BLCKK AFOURTEEN
FRI , APR 07
NU METAL MADNESS featuring ( hed ) PE
CRAZYTOWN ADEMA TANTRIC
G
rammy Award-winning Dream Theater guitarist John Petrucci has stepped out on his own with his first-ever headlining solo tour . Performing material from his recently released solo album , Terminal Velocity , as well as songs from his widely acclaimed debut release , Suspended Animation , Petrucci has embarked on a 36-date tour , including a show at the Vic Theatre on November 13 . Terminal Velocity marked the first time that Petrucci and former Dream Theater drummer Mike Portnoy played together in decade . Joining them is bassist Dave Larue ( Dixie Dregs , Flying Colors , Vinnie Moore ). The recently reunited all-female metal band Meanstreak , consisting of Petrucci and Portnoy ’ s wives as well as fellow Dream Theater bassist John Myung ’ s wife , are the opening act for the entire tour .
IE : Obviously , Covid-19 was part of the delay of this solo tour . When did you start lining up these dates ? John Petrucci : We planned this about six months ago . As soon as everything opened back up , when bands started to test the waters and go out and start touring again , the focus was on Dream Theater . So , I had no time ; I couldn ' t plan a solo tour . Of course , we were kind of busy with Dream Theater , but I noticed a hole in our schedule at this time , in the fall , about six months ago . I immediately called my agent to say let ' s book a solo tour , that it ’ s time . I told him I wanted to play as much as possible , and so we have a huge run of 36 days — about two months . It ' s crazy .
IE : Of course , you ’ re used to being in a band as a unit with Dream Theater , but now you ’ re the main focal point with your name behind it . Is there any added pressure of organizing this type of endeavor ? JP : In this case , this is my endeavor , like you mentioned . So , it ' s not G3 , which is Joe ' s [ Satriani ] organization ; it ' s not Dream Theater . Basically , the pressure is setting everything up . Fortunately , I have such great infrastructure with Dream Theater , I ' m able to work with the same people ; the same management agent , crew . And then from there , the biggest pressure is the business of selling tickets , getting out there and people saying , “ John , who ? Who ' s that ?” So that ' s what we ' re doing right now . We ' re just out here playing our butts off and having fun .
IE : Your solo band is awesome ; which are the same guys who recorded the album with you ; Mike and Dave . This was the first time working with Mike in a decade . How did this collaboration finally come about ?
Dream Theater Guitarist Arrives at The Vic
By Kelley Simms
JP : When I decided to finally do my second sol album , which that was 15 years after my first one I immediately thought of Mike and I thought i would be great to have him play drums on it . An he fortunately said yes . But even with the tour I al ways thought , and he said this to me too , “ If you ever book a tour for this , I ’ m there .” As soon as had the opportunity to book the tour , I call him an said we ' re going to do this . I think it ' s great to hav the same guys that recorded Terminal Velocity wit me . Of course it ’ s amazing to be playing back liv on stage with Mike , who I have not performed liv together in 12 years . Me , Mike and Dave playe many a G3 tour back in the early 2000s . So , th band is back together . It ' s been fantastic . It ' s jus such an amazing band to play with . I ' m so fortu nate .
IE : You mentioned it ' s been 12 years since you an Mike have performed live together . I guess it ' just like riding a bike ; still familiar ? JP : We met at Berkeley when we were 18 years old We were in Dream Theater for 25 years , and we ' r friends and our families are friends and three of u married three of Meanstreak , who ' s our openin band . It ’ s just like family . Playing with Mike … w started rehearsals and we just had this chemistr that ' s just so natural . It ' s great to be playing wit him again . It really , really feels good .
IE : You ' ll be in Chicago on November 13 at Vi Theatre . What do you like most about playing i Chicago ? JP : The fans are fantastic . Those shows in Chicago usually when Dream Theater plays , we ’ d play th Chicago Theatre . And it ' s just something to loo forward to . You know it ' s going to be a great nigh people are going to pack it out . The audience i going to be pumped and hyped , and smiling Chicago is one of those cities that just always de livers . There ’ s wonderful music lovers in Chicago and I ' m looking forward to playing the Vic . I know it ' s going to be a highlight on the tour .
IE : When does Dream Theater get back togethe and go into writing mode again , or is there an other [ Dream Theater ’ s 2021 album ] A View from the Top of the World tourleg in 2023 ? JP : Yeah , there ' s more legs . Since everybody was of in those two years , we still have a lot of touring sti ahead of us to support A View from the Top of th World . So we ' ll pick that back up come 2023 . I can imagine we ’ ll be in the studio before this time or s next year .
John Petrucci Vic Theatre Chicago November 13 Tickets are available at axs . com