Dream Theater tour announces Progressive Nation dates for U.S., Canada

Heavy metal veterans Dream Theater will rock North America this summer with plans for a new album and concerts. The Progressive Nation 2009 Tour launches July 24 at the Fillmore at Jackie Gleason Theater in Miami Beach, FL, and ends August 29 at Greek Theatre in Los Angeles, CA.

The trek will hit a total of 24 cities across the United States and Canada, booking a mixture of clubs, theaters and amphitheaters. Highlights include a July 28 concert at The Tabdernacle in Atlanta, GA, an August 1 performance at Merriweather Post Pavilion in Washington, DC, an August 12 gig at Bell Center in Montreal, QC, and an August 23 event at Chicago Theater in Chicago, IL.

Dream Theater launched the tour package Progressive Nation in 2008 with support from Opeth, Between the Buried and Me, and Three. Like that year’s tour, the 2009 incarnation will feature opening sets from an eclectic batch of progressive rock acts: Zappa Plays Zappa, Pain of Salvation, and Beardfish.

“This year’s lineup is so exciting for me. Every band is bringing something very unique to the package to create an incredibly well rounded musical experience,” said Dream Theater drummer Mike Portnoy on the band’s Web site. “I am just as excited to be watching all the bands from the side of the stage as I am to be performing with mine in the center of it!”

The progressive metal quintet has built a large following since its 1989 studio debut “When Dream and Day Unite.” On this tour Dream Theater will support the June 23 release of “Black Clouds & Silver Linings,” the band’s tenth studio album. Though the album clocks in around 75 minutes, it only has six tracks, most of which are well over 10 minutes long.

Before launching the North American tour leg, Dream Theater will be on the road in Europe. After completing the national run, the band will head back overseas for a fresh round of European concerts in September and October.

Dream Theater itinerary:
(Dates are subject to change.)