by Mike Portnoy recently opened up about how Dream Theater’s lifestyle has changed over the years. He shared candid thoughts in an interview with In Your City Show with Gordon Montgomery.
When asked what he does after a show these days, Portnoy reflected on how his priorities have shifted with age and experience.
“I hate admitting it, but I’ve really become very very mellow in my old age,” Portnoy said. “To me, the perfect day off is sitting in a hotel room, having room service, catching up on a movie or TV show that I’m into or, you know, I’m not the social butterfly I used to be at this point. I really value my private time.”
The drummer explained that this shift isn’t just personal. It reflects the entire band’s current approach to touring.
“Everybody in Dream Theater is kind of like that. We’re all kind of boring old family men at this point,” he continued. “We’ve been doing it a long time. We’ve seen all these places. We’ve played every one of these countries 20, 30, 40 times through the years. So, at this point, our downtime is more important to us and we’re getting older.”
Portnoy also addressed the physical demands of their performances at this stage of their careers.
“We’re in our late 50s and 60s and playing these three-hour marathon Prague shows takes a beating on you,” he said. “So, to me, a perfect day is where I can go to the hotel spa, relax, maybe get a massage, and just have some quiet time with some room service. That’s all I want and need it at this point in my life.”
These comments come as Portnoy and Dream Theater are in the midst of celebrating a major milestone in the band’s history.
Wikipedia reported that Portnoy rejoined Dream Theater in late 2023 after a 13-year absence. This marked a significant reunion for the co-founding drummer who left the band in 2010. The band launched their 40th-anniversary tour in 2024. The European leg kicked off in October 2024, including a notable opening show at the O2 Arena in London on October 20, 2024.
The current Dream Theater lineup features members who are indeed in their late 50s and 60s, as Portnoy mentioned. Dream Theater’s official website revealed that the band consists of Mike Portnoy on drums at age 58, James LaBrie on lead vocals at approximately 62, John Petrucci on guitar at 58, John Myung on bass at 58, and Jordan Rudess on keyboards at 69.
The band released their latest album, Parasomnia, on February 7, 2025. This marks Portnoy’s first studio recording with Dream Theater since 2009’s Black Clouds & Silver Linings. Loudwire noted that the North American leg of their 40th-anniversary tour began on February 7 in Philadelphia and is scheduled to conclude on March 22 in New York. The tour covers 30 cities and heavily features material from the Portnoy era.
Despite the “boring” lifestyle Portnoy describes offstage, concert reviews have praised the band’s energy and musical skill. Prog Report highlighted that their performances continue to showcase spectacular stage visuals and generate significant fan enthusiasm. This proves that while their downtime may be quieter, their onstage presence remains as powerful as ever.
The comments offer a rare glimpse into how one of progressive metal’s most iconic bands has evolved beyond the stage. They balance the demands of marathon performances with the realities of aging and family life.
