Dream Theater is coming to Brazil for two shows in the country: the first takes place this Wednesday, the 31st, in São Paulo, at Tokio Marine Hall, preceding the band's first performance at Rock In Rio , on Friday the 2nd.
In an interview with The Wikimetal Happy Hour , guitarist John Petrucci spoke about the band's relationship with São Paulo, one of Dream Theater's main fan markets in the world. The band's performance at Tokio Marine Hall this Wednesday, August 31st, promises a more extensive setlist and tickets are still available (learn more here ).
“I remember the first time we went there and it was incredible. We had never experienced anything like that before as an American band going to South America, to Brazil. The audience in São Paulo was absurd, incredible!” he said. “And the city is absurd too, so big and sprawling, with good food, incredible people, warm weather, and there are many people who identify with Dream Theater's music. So we developed a strong and close relationship with Brazilian fans, and the fans in São Paulo are phenomenal.”
The band's co-founder also shared his expectations regarding Dream Theater's debut at Rock In Rio. The band will perform on the Palco Mundo stage on Metal Day, which opens the 2022 edition of the event, and will take the stage after headliner Iron Maiden .
“We’ve been performing in Brazil for quite some time, about 20 or 25 years, and we’ve never played at Rock In Rio, which is one of the biggest and most famous music festivals in the world. And of course, we’ve watched videos of those who have played there,” he said. “My all-time favorite band, Rush, has played at Rock In Rio, and the great Iron Maiden, who will be there with us on the same night. It’s a thrill for us to finally perform at that festival, it’s going to be incredible.”
In an interview with Nando Machado , co-founder of Wikimetal , John Petrucci also talked about being a progressive rock band, the reunion with Mike Portnoy , the band's first Grammy , and more. Watch below.
READ ALSO: Dream Theater in São Paulo: 3 reasons to go to their only solo show in Brazil in 2022
