--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Normally, when I write the setlist for a…" description: "\"Normally, when I write the setlist for a Dream Theater show, I'll change it up every night, and we can basically play whatever we want.\" — Mike Portnoy" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/787/mike-portnoy-5256_change_normally-when-i-write-the-setlist-for-a_3158968.jpg" --- # Normally, when I write the setlist for a Dream Theater… ![“Normally, when I write the setlist for a Dream Theater show, I'll change it up every night, and we can basically play whatever we want.” quote by Mike Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/787/mike-portnoy-5256_change_normally-when-i-write-the-setlist-for-a_3158968.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/787/mike-portnoy-5256_change_normally-when-i-write-the-setlist-for-a_3158968.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/787/mike-portnoy-5256_change_normally-when-i-write-the-setlist-for-a_3158968.jpg) > “Normally, when I write the setlist for a Dream Theater show, I'll change it up every night, and we can basically play whatever we want.” [Mike Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-portnoy/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He emphasizes flexibility and spontaneity in performance, changing setlists nightly. **In simple terms:** Changing setlists keeps shows fresh. Key Takeaway Embrace adaptability in creative work. Themes creativity flexibility performance Mood excited dynamic Type inspirational practical When to use this quote - concert planning - band rehearsals - live streaming Key Concepts improvisation audience engagement Questions to Reflect On - How does spontaneity affect band cohesion? - Can audiences appreciate varied sets? A Different Perspective Requires high coordination and rehearsal time. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Change](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/change/) [Dream](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dream/) [Dreams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dreams/) [Every night](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/every-night/) [Night](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/night/) [Play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/play/) ## Related quotes > [No matter where I go, I never write the setlist until I'm at the venue.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beth-hart/no-matter-where-i-go-i-never-write-the-setlist-until-i-m-at-the-venue/) [Beth Hart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beth-hart/) > [The show is different every night, because I never write a setlist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-show-is-different-every-night-because-i-never-write-a-setlist/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I love the Dream Theater guys dearly and have a long history, friendship, and bond that runs incredibly deep with them - it's just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-portnoy/i-love-the-dream-theater-guys-dearly-and-have-a-long-history/) [Mike Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-portnoy/) > [I spent my life's work doing what I did in Dream Theater for 25 years, so I'm proud of that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-portnoy/i-spent-my-life-s-work-doing-what-i-did-in-dream-theater-for-25-years/) [Mike Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-portnoy/) > [I remember waking up Tuesday, September 11th, 2001, to my wife telling me to put on the TV because I wasn't going to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-portnoy/i-remember-waking-up-tuesday-september-11th-2001-to-my-wife-telling/) [Mike Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-portnoy/) > [Any time I say anything about Dream Theater... Honestly, I'd rather not talk about it. Because no matter what I say, it will be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-portnoy/any-time-i-say-anything-about-dream-theater-honestly-i-d-rather-not/) [Mike Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-portnoy/) > [With the Neal Morse Band, we're doing progressive music with a harder edge; it's a little more in Dream Theater territory for me. Flying…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-portnoy/with-the-neal-morse-band-we-re-doing-progressive-music-with-a-harder/) [Mike Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-portnoy/) > [My time and my legacy with Dream Theater will always be a part of me. It's something I'll always be proud of.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-portnoy/my-time-and-my-legacy-with-dream-theater-will-always-be-a-part-of-me/) [Mike Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-portnoy/) > [With Dream Theater, every creative aspect of the group went through me. I oversaw it all from top to bottom.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-portnoy/with-dream-theater-every-creative-aspect-of-the-group-went-through-me/) [Mike Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-portnoy/) > [We kind of established in Sons of Apollo right from the get go that it would be a very collaborative process musically, but after…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-portnoy/we-kind-of-established-in-sons-of-apollo-right-from-the-get-go-that/) [Mike Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-portnoy/) > [I've been asked to write a book several times; I've had several publishers come to me and offer me book deals. Especially right after…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-portnoy/i-ve-been-asked-to-write-a-book-several-times-i-ve-had-several/) [Mike Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-portnoy/) > [I see the headlines on Blabbermouth, and the fans are saying, 'Why is he always talking about Dream Theater?' I'm not talking about Dream…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-portnoy/i-see-the-headlines-on-blabbermouth-and-the-fans-are-saying-why-is-he/) [Mike Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-portnoy/) > [One of the reasons I needed to leave Dream Theater was because I didn't want to end my career as just the drummer in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-portnoy/one-of-the-reasons-i-needed-to-leave-dream-theater-was-because-i-didn/) [Mike Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-portnoy/) > [I am looking forward to working with the great staff of Loud & Proud Records, some of whom I worked very closely with during…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-portnoy/i-am-looking-forward-to-working-with-the-great-staff-of-loud-proud/) [Mike Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-portnoy/) > [One of the biggest misconceptions was, after I left Dream Theater, I went off and did, like, five different bands and side projects. Everyone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-portnoy/one-of-the-biggest-misconceptions-was-after-i-left-dream-theater-i/) [Mike Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-portnoy/) ## More by Mike Portnoy > [My lesson would be to not sell yourself to anybody else and stay true to yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-portnoy/my-lesson-would-be-to-not-sell-yourself-to-anybody-else-and-stay-true/) [Mike Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-portnoy/) > [I love playing drums and helping out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-portnoy/i-love-playing-drums-and-helping-out/) [Mike Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-portnoy/) > [One of the biggest misconceptions was, after I left Dream Theater, I went off and did, like, five different bands and side projects. Everyone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-portnoy/one-of-the-biggest-misconceptions-was-after-i-left-dream-theater-i/) [Mike Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-portnoy/) > [I don't even like doing drum solos live; to me, it's like, 'Ehhh.' It doesn't really interest me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-portnoy/i-don-t-even-like-doing-drum-solos-live-to-me-it-s-like-ehhh-it-doesn/) [Mike Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-portnoy/) > [Every band goes through breakups or splits.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-portnoy/every-band-goes-through-breakups-or-splits/) [Mike Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-portnoy/) > [I am looking forward to working with the great staff of Loud & Proud Records, some of whom I worked very closely with during…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-portnoy/i-am-looking-forward-to-working-with-the-great-staff-of-loud-proud/) [Mike Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-portnoy/) > [I'm a music fan first and foremost. I can find the beauty in Jellyfish and U2 just as much as Opeth and Lamb of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-portnoy/i-m-a-music-fan-first-and-foremost-i-can-find-the-beauty-in-jellyfish/) [Mike Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-portnoy/) > [I'm a very sentimental guy; I'm a very nostalgic guy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-portnoy/i-m-a-very-sentimental-guy-i-m-a-very-nostalgic-guy/) [Mike Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-portnoy/) > [It's all about the music, and I work as hard as I do strictly because of the music. It's not a money thing; it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-portnoy/it-s-all-about-the-music-and-i-work-as-hard-as-i-do-strictly-because/) [Mike Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-portnoy/) > [One of the reasons I needed to leave Dream Theater was because I didn't want to end my career as just the drummer in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-portnoy/one-of-the-reasons-i-needed-to-leave-dream-theater-was-because-i-didn/) [Mike Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-portnoy/) > [I have no interest in playing 'perfect.' To me, it's more about being an entertainer. Having a connection with the audience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-portnoy/i-have-no-interest-in-playing-perfect-to-me-it-s-more-about-being-an/) [Mike Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-portnoy/) > [I am - you know, I'm getting to do everything I've ever wanted to do, anything my imagination can think up. I'm getting to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-portnoy/i-am-you-know-i-m-getting-to-do-everything-i-ve-ever-wanted-to-do/) [Mike Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-portnoy/) > [I could be just as happy playing a Beatles song as I am when I'm thrashing out the double bass stuff with Adrenaline Mob.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-portnoy/i-could-be-just-as-happy-playing-a-beatles-song-as-i-am-when-i-m/) [Mike Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-portnoy/) > [I see the headlines on Blabbermouth, and the fans are saying, 'Why is he always talking about Dream Theater?' I'm not talking about Dream…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-portnoy/i-see-the-headlines-on-blabbermouth-and-the-fans-are-saying-why-is-he/) [Mike Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-portnoy/) > [Flying Colors is more alternative pop with a prog edge. Think the Beatles meets U2 meets Muse and Foo Fighters. It is the opposite…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-portnoy/flying-colors-is-more-alternative-pop-with-a-prog-edge-think-the/) [Mike Portnoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-portnoy/) [Explore all 102 Mike Portnoy quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-portnoy/) ## More Change quotes > [Only within yourself exists the other reality for which you long. I can give you nothing that has not already its being within yourself.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hermann-hesse/only-within-yourself-exists-the-other-reality-for-which-you-long-i/) [Hermann Hesse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hermann-hesse/) > [Life is full of change. That's how we learn and grow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/life-is-full-of-change-that-s-how-we-learn-and-grow/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I can't believe that I'm sitting in meetings with Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks, and Annette Bening. I want to take on that responsibility to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ross-williams/i-can-t-believe-that-i-m-sitting-in-meetings-with-steven-spielberg/) [Roger Ross Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ross-williams/) > [“…progress isn't necessarily about change but about things turning out as we want them to”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-hogan/progress-isn-t-necessarily-about-change-but-about-things-turning-out/) Phil Hogan > [Nobody can tell me that no changes are necessary in Washington.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-weld/nobody-can-tell-me-that-no-changes-are-necessary-in-washington/) [William Weld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-weld/) > [If my campaign is not in the debate, we will not be talking about how we really fix this problem of endless and expanding…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-stein/if-my-campaign-is-not-in-the-debate-we-will-not-be-talking-about-how/) [Jill Stein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-stein/) > [When you walk down the street of Kabul your values for life changes, they do change.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marco-pierre-white/when-you-walk-down-the-street-of-kabul-your-values-for-life-changes/) [Marco Pierre White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marco-pierre-white/) > [Your world will change whether or not you choose to change, but you have the power to choose it's direction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-hill/your-world-will-change-whether-or-not-you-choose-to-change-but-you/) [Napoleon Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-hill/) > [I hope I continue to evolve.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlotte-flair/i-hope-i-continue-to-evolve/) [Charlotte Flair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlotte-flair/) > [“Stay focused on bringing people together and more on positive messaging so that you can be the change you wish to see in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/germany-kent/stay-focused-on-bringing-people-together-and-more-on-positive/) [Germany Kent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/germany-kent/) > [The biggest change for me as a mom was realizing I needed to put someone else before me. Now the hardest part about the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-alexis/the-biggest-change-for-me-as-a-mom-was-realizing-i-needed-to-put/) [Kim Alexis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-alexis/) > [“After the funeral, my life changed. I felt as if time were suddenly precious, water going down an open drain, and I could not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-albom/after-the-funeral-my-life-changed-i-felt-as-if-time-were-suddenly/) [Mitch Albom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-albom/) > [You practice mindfulness, on the one hand, to be calm and peaceful. On the other hand, as you practice mindfulness and live a life…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-practice-mindfulness-on-the-one-hand-to-be-calm-and-peaceful-on/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Irish research will contribute to global progress and have the potential to help all countries realise the potential of their land sectors in addressing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/enda-kenny/irish-research-will-contribute-to-global-progress-and-have-the/) [Enda Kenny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/enda-kenny/) > [No man can change himself into anything from sheer reason; he can only change into what he potentially is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-jung/no-man-can-change-himself-into-anything-from-sheer-reason-he-can-only/) [Carl Jung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-jung/) [Browse all 33,920 Change quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/change/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Normally, when I write the setlist for a Dream Theater show, I'll change it up every night, and we can basically play whatever we want.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Mike Portnoy" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-portnoy/normally-when-i-write-the-setlist-for-a-dream-theater-show-i-ll/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Change" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-portnoy/normally-when-i-write-the-setlist-for-a-dream-theater-show-i-ll/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/787/mike-portnoy-5256_change_normally-when-i-write-the-setlist-for-a_3158968.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/787/mike-portnoy-5256_change_normally-when-i-write-the-setlist-for-a_3158968.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/787/mike-portnoy-5256_change_normally-when-i-write-the-setlist-for-a_3158968.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Normally, when I write the setlist for a Dream Theater show, I'll change it up every night, and we can…” — Mike Portnoy", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Mike Portnoy", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-portnoy/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Normally, when I write the setlist...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-portnoy/normally-when-i-write-the-setlist-for-a-dream-theater-show-i-ll/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-portnoy/normally-when-i-write-the-setlist-for-a-dream-theater-show-i-ll/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```