The Final Frontier Tour | A Special Night with Journey
I might not have grown up with this band, but I think almost everyone knows the hit classics like “Don’t Stop Believing” and “Anyway You Want It” by this iconic band, Journey. This band has been around for years and has gone through several bandmates over this time, but they still have one of their original founding members, Neal Schon, guitarist and vocalist. Despite being one of the younger fans in the crowd, that did not stop me from enjoying the phenomenal show that night. Instead, all of my knowledge of Journey’s song lyrics is thanks to the hit TV show, Glee. Glee features a character by the name of Will Schuester, who is one of the main characters and does not hide his love for one of his favorite bands growing up, Journey. He has continued to require the students in the Glee club to sing their songs, starting with “Don’t Stop Believing.”
All Photos By: Carrie Bergan-HamelinkThere were no openers that night, which is always a little bit weird to me, but that meant the band would have a much longer time for their music. As I was walking out to the soundboard area, as I was not provided closer access for the first three songs, there was a countdown clock on the screen to prepare the fans. As soon as the timer hit zero, the room's lights turned off, and the crowd all started to stand as the room erupted into cheers. The band took the stage one by one as the screaming continued, and they launched right into it, starting with “Be Good To Yourself.”
Current vocalist Arnel Pineda kicked into full gear from the first note as he danced around the stage, swinging his mic stand around, and occasionally holding it out over the audience, encouraging them to sing along with him. The room was full, and everyone appeared to know every single word. There was dancing, swaying, clapping, and all of the room participated, even the younger ones that tagged along with their parents were having a wonderful time.
When I was making my way to my seat after the first three songs, the room was lit up by the phone flashlights as the band was playing “Lights,” which, honestly, was one of the most fitting moments for this audience participation to be used. It’s become a thing for bands to always ask the fans to turn on their phone flashlights for a song, and it just typically ends up being an acoustic version or a slower moment. I think this is probably one of the best uses for that moment.
After that, all throughout the set, there were even more surprises. Pineda disappeared from the stage only to be discovered in the crowd as he ran around the room, then later he even made his way down the barricade for high-fives and selfies with those lucky enough to score a seat up front. During the song, “Wheel In The Sky,” we were treated to some pyrotechnics and a light show that was a bit too blinding to watch in moments. This was the only song that used these special effects. There was even a brief moment when I saw t-shirts getting thrown out to the room from up front, I saw something flying and thought my eyes were playing tricks on me, only to realize it was a rolled up t-shirt. I wish I could have gotten one or at least what the design was, but it was only a handful given out, so alas. Either way, it was a fantastic night of nostalgia and supposedly the band’s FINAL tour, so I highly recommend you don’t miss out on your chance to see this legendary group live!
