LIVE REVIEW: DREAM THEATER @ THE FORTITUDE MUSIC HALL 15/02/26

Words and photos Charlyn Cameron

I don’t think there’s much I can say about Dream Theater that hasn’t already been said before. Walking into the venue with a camera in hand, I won’t lie, I was nervous. But I was also excited to finally see what forty years of progressive metal legacy actually looks like in a live setting. Part of their 40th anniversary celebrations, this Australian run marked their first tour here in nearly a decade, with Brisbane serving as the final stop. Even without deep familiarity with their catalogue, the significance of the night was obvious before the lights had even dimmed. With founding guitarist John Petrucci, vocalist James LaBrie, bassist John Myung, keyboardist Jordan Rudess and the return of Mike Portnoy behind the kit, the stage was set for a performance shaped by forty years of experience.

The crowd reflected that history in a way you could actually see. It was a mix of ages, from long time followers to younger fans. At one point I noticed a woman standing with her child. That alone said enough.

Standing just outside the barrier, I could see the stage had been extended. It was completely hidden behind a massive Dream Theater banner hanging floor to ceiling, blocking everything behind it. Lights pulsed from the back, bringing the banner to life in flashes before the band even stepped out. It built tension without giving anything away. And as that tension built, so did the pressure. Photographing a band of this stature isn’t something you take lightly.

Then the banner dropped.

They launched straight into Metropolis Pt 1 and there was no hesitation. No feeling things out. John Petrucci stayed composed, letting his playing speak for itself. LaBrie’s vocals were right there from the beginning, steady and clear. Behind them, Mike Portnoy looked completely settled, driving the song with the kind of control that makes it look effortless. I’d seen him live back in 2017 and was blown away by what he could do. This was no different. The band sounded so tight.

Not long into the set, the nerves faded. Instinct took over. I stopped overthinking it and just reacted to what was happening in front of me. The lighting changes. The way the band moved across the extended stage. At some point I realised I wasn’t photographing a legendary band anymore. I was just doing the job.

Once my time in the pit was up and I stepped back into the crowd, everything opened up. From out there, I could finally take in the full light show and the backdrop behind them. It was impressive without feeling over the top.

Across the night, the musicianship never dipped. The Mirror from Awake brought a darker, heavier edge. Peruvian Skies carried its atmosphere. As I Am closed out the first act with real punch. These aren’t simple songs. What stands out isn’t just the technical ability. It’s how natural it looks in their hands. Time changes, extended passages and layered arrangements never felt forced.

When Octavarium started, it took over the room. It’s a huge song, and they leaned into that. It takes confidence to let something like that breathe live, and they did. No rushing it. No shortcuts. They let it stretch, build and hit the way it’s supposed to. It didn’t drag for a second. If anything, it felt bigger live.

Taken as a whole, the night never felt like a band leaning on legacy for the sake of it. Even with forty years behind them, there was no sense of coasting. Just experience, and musicians who know exactly who they are. Some bands prove themselves through spectacle. Others prove it through consistency. Dream Theater don’t need to prove anything.