(Amway Center, Orlando FL) Legendary rock band, Journey, who first emerged more than 4 decades ago, continued their 'Freedom' tour this past weekend in Orlando to a sold-out 20,000-seat capacity Amway Center. For myself, this was now the 3rd time I’ve watched this iconic group perform live and, in my opinion, was their best showing in central Florida ever!
On this night in Orlando, Journey performed 17 songs reaching back almost 40 years to the beginning of their musical roots while they performed timeless classics including their 1979 hit ‘Lovin, Touchin’, Squeezin’, their 1981 original breakthrough Don’t Stop Believin’, 1983’s ‘Faithfully’, the classic ‘Open Arms’ power ballad, and finally capping the night off with ‘Any Way You Want It’ from their Departure album.
Founding band member, Neil Schon, was in awesome form tonight with his guitar solos being on point and succinct enough that concert-goers were reminded of his effortless skills, while being left craving to hear / see more. We were treated to a brief guitar solo early on during the show as Schon’s guitar-playing clinic emerged immediately after the first song (Only The Young). Jonathan Cain, Journey’s keyboardist since 1980, also interjected his classical-music inspired piano solo which served as the intros setting up both 'Open Arms' and 'Faithfully'.
A little more than halfway into the set, drummer Deen Castronovo delivered a solid lead vocals performance of 'Mother, Father', clearly demonstrating to show-attendees why he once served as the band's frontman years ago.
Tonight's standout performance, however, came from current frontman Arnel Pineda. Pineda was energetic and charismatic, seemingly engaging everyone in the first few rows with either a finger-point, warm smile, or hand wave. In between perfectly-hit notes for nearly 2 hours, Pineda was the band's perfect lead singer: he powerfully, yet tenderly sang every note spot-on, clearly showing all in attendance why, after 15 years, he has served as the group's longest-running lead vocalist.
Journey's 2022 'Freedom' tour continues on for 3 more months yet, and is definitely one to watch. For more information: Tour – Journey Music
Bailey Guinigundo
On this night in Orlando, Journey performed 17 songs reaching back almost 40 years to the beginning of their musical roots while they performed timeless classics including their 1979 hit ‘Lovin, Touchin’, Squeezin’, their 1981 original breakthrough Don’t Stop Believin’, 1983’s ‘Faithfully’, the classic ‘Open Arms’ power ballad, and finally capping the night off with ‘Any Way You Want It’ from their Departure album.
Founding band member, Neil Schon, was in awesome form tonight with his guitar solos being on point and succinct enough that concert-goers were reminded of his effortless skills, while being left craving to hear / see more. We were treated to a brief guitar solo early on during the show as Schon’s guitar-playing clinic emerged immediately after the first song (Only The Young). Jonathan Cain, Journey’s keyboardist since 1980, also interjected his classical-music inspired piano solo which served as the intros setting up both 'Open Arms' and 'Faithfully'.
A little more than halfway into the set, drummer Deen Castronovo delivered a solid lead vocals performance of 'Mother, Father', clearly demonstrating to show-attendees why he once served as the band's frontman years ago.
Tonight's standout performance, however, came from current frontman Arnel Pineda. Pineda was energetic and charismatic, seemingly engaging everyone in the first few rows with either a finger-point, warm smile, or hand wave. In between perfectly-hit notes for nearly 2 hours, Pineda was the band's perfect lead singer: he powerfully, yet tenderly sang every note spot-on, clearly showing all in attendance why, after 15 years, he has served as the group's longest-running lead vocalist.
Journey's 2022 'Freedom' tour continues on for 3 more months yet, and is definitely one to watch. For more information: Tour – Journey Music
Bailey Guinigundo
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