Manchester, NH 6/7/2026

I've been a Journey fan since Escape came out in 1981 (I was 9 at the time). Sadly, this was only the second, and I guess the last, time I've been able to catch them live (the first time was in 2002-ish with Steve Augeri). I expected them to do some of their greatest hits, but didn't expect them to play 2 1/2 hours and hit so much of the back catalog. They did every song off Escape except Lay it Down and Mother, Father, and a bunch of songs I never would have expected from them (Suzanne, off Raised on Radio, and Ask the Lonely off Frontiers, to name two). I wish I had a copy of the set list, I don't remember what all they played, but it was a hell of a show.

I was very much surprised that they had Dean Castronovo and their second keyboard player, Jason Derlatka, sing lead on a few songs, but with such a long show, it would be murder on Pineda's voice to go that long every show, so it makes perfect sense. Both of them were good, but can't hold a candle to Pineda.

There's no question that they would never have gotten to where they did without Perry, and to me, the "real" Journey is always going to be with Perry. But I really think Pineda has the better, stronger voice. I've heard him hit notes in live shows that Perry sometimes struggled with. He's also got great presence and energy. I still miss Perry and thought he was the better front man, but Pineda really is a worthy successor. I don't know what he has planned after this tour is over, but I hope any future solo career he has gives him a chance to shine on his own.

This tour is a fitting end to Journey's 50+ years of music. It was definitely worth the price of admission.