First, I’ll set the scene.  The night of the show was nasty raw, but

luckily it didn’t pour.  Wrapped in wool and rain gear, 10,000 fans

packed into the outdoor venue.  I was hoping that the sheer numbers

would generate enough body heat to tame the cold.  No, 10,000 people are

not enough to influence the forces of Mother Nature.  It was still

miserable.

 

But Journey was worth every damp minute!

 

Taking an already wet Journey immediately engaged a crowd that was

ready for a good time.  Starting off with “Majestic,” they went straight

into “Faith in the Heartland” and kept going with “Any Way You Want It”

before taking a breather.  The night was an onslaught of music, energy,

and talent.  Combining their old classics with newer tunes, the setlist

was familiar but fresh and always true to Journey’s signature sound.

 

Journey is as much fun to watch as they are to hear.   While lead

vocalist Arnel Pineda wins hands down for energy, every member of the

band looks happy to be playing these songs for the upteenth time.  And

why not?  The crowd was clearly joyful as they sang along, often looking

to one another as if to say “Do you remember when…?”

 

Neal Schon, original lead guitarist, and mastermind behind those iconic

riffs that make Journey songs so recognizable, played to the crowd,

literally letting us see how he makes the music.   Performing a full

onslaught electric guitar version of “The Star-Spangled Banner” on the

truss in the middle of the crowd, Schon was brilliant.  Jonathan Cain,

longtime member, switched between keyboards and rhythm guitar and added

harmonies and vocals as well as depth.  Ross Valory, original bass

player, was understated, giving an unflappable and determined

performance all while slyly interacting with the audience.  Drummer Deen

Castronovo was jamming from the very start, squeezing everything from

that drum kit and looking happy as hell.

 

And then there is Arnel Pineda.  A powerhouse of vitality with huge

vocal range and ability, Pineda connected to the crowd immediately.

Speaking with fans, everyone knew his YouTube story and had seen his

taped performances.  Based on fan reaction, he was not only accepted, he

was embraced by longtime fans.  I particularly enjoyed his renditions of

massive hits “Faithfully” and “Open Arms.”  I’ve never been a ballad

fan, but Pineda added a bit of twist here and there, opening the vocals

towards the blues and updating the pieces while never leaving the

original too far behind.  He owned those songs.

 

The set list of nineteen songs, as well as a few solos, included “Stone

in Love” and “Lights,” my favorites, as well as “Don’t Stop Believin’.”

The band moved through the songs with little conversation but didn’t

seem to be in a hurry.  This is remarkable seeing that by the fourth

song Pineda was on his way to being soaked, the truss was slippery, and

band members even put on jackets so they could tolerate the wind and

drizzle.  These men are now official Mainers for their sheer

determination and grace through weather conditions that would leave most

of us home on the couch.

 

As the end of the night approached, fans were allowed up to the barrier

and piled in.  One man, certainly in his forties, threw himself beside

me on the barrier in an effort to touch Pineda’s hand while he sang

right in front of us.  Yes, I did get out of the way.   Why do I bring

it up?  Because the interaction between the gentleman straining from the

crowd and Pineda teetering on the side of the stage to make contact was

symbolic.  We, the fans, bring our memories, and Journey brings their

soundtrack and their willingness to let it all come alive one more time.

Why are these guys still able to pack in thousands?  Besides the fact

they are legends?  Because the fans love them.  That isn’t going to stop

anytime soon.

 

Bucket list item #12 – See Journey perform live so close I can see the

strings on Schon’s guitar.  Complete.  Thanks, Guys.  See you next time.

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Setlist

Majestic ~ Faith in the Heartland ~ Any Way You Want It ~ Ask the

Lonely ~ Only the Young ~ Never Walk Away ~ Anytime ~ Faithfully ~ The

Star-Spangled Banner ~ Stone in Love ~ Lights ~ Wheel in the Sky ~

Escape ~ La Do Da ~ Open Arms ~ Be Good to Yourself ~ Don’t Stop

Believin’ ~ Separate Ways (Worlds Apart) ~ Encore : Lovin’ Touchin’

Squeezin’