In your sleep

The first inkling of a Bluesfest lineup was an announcement by Iron Maiden to their fanclub that they would be playing Ottawa on the festival's opening day. Only natural then that their tourmates in Dream Theater would also line up a gig as well. The band is well known as one of the most technically proficient acts around, having formed at the Berklee College of Music around the core of rummer Mike Portnoy, guitarist John Petrucci and bassist John Myung. The original trio seem to be a constant presence in the magazines dedicated to proficiency in their chosen instruments (Modern Drummer, Guitar World, etc.), and keyboardist Jordan Rudess and singer James LaBrie are no slouches either. Having been in the business in one form or another for something like a quarter-century, they know their business. My personal tastes in heavy metal run more toward doom, NWOBHM and certain blackened forms, but I still enjoyed their tight set.

Rhythm section action with Myung and Portnoy (and an almost completely obscured Rudess).



James Labrie rocks the hair.



The horns can stay, but I'm with LaBrie - the ball has gotta go.



Hmm, maybe I should look into dying my beard ... naaah!



More LaBrie!



Rudess's keyboards are mounted on swivels for extra convenience.



Let the record show that Portnoy was not the drummer with the largest kit at Bluesfest, appearances notwithstanding.



More Myung!



And let us not forget axeman extraordinaire Petrucci.



Monitor-standing action!



Faceoff action!



We like you too!



Huggy action!



Stick-tossing action!



More Rudess!



Fretful action!



More monitor-standing action!



Rudess takes a turn at centre stage.



Thank you and goodnight!



Dream Theater is now taking a little break, at least from touring, while Portnoy handles the sticks for Avenged Sevenfold.

• Show reminder: It's Night 3 for the i(heart)music festival at Mavericks and Cafe DeKcuf (I expect a lot of running up and down stairs) with performances from The Love Machine, The Most Serene Republic, Still Life Still, Paramedics, Crush Buildings, Whale Tooth and Loon Choir. Mystery Stain Project and The Synics roll into The Rainbow; The Brothers Chaffey play Irene's; for some reason I thought The Rizdales unleashed their new CD at the Elmdale House with an assist from Ball and Chain and The Wreckers yesterday ... it is in fact tonight - sorry and oops to anyone affected.