Walking up to the Moody Center on March 31, it was instantly clear what type of night it was going to be. Looking around the entrance, it felt like almost every single person in line was wearing a Journey shirt from one era or another. You could feel the nostalgia, and once the show started, the energy was through the roof. You couldn’t look in any direction without seeing fans completely captivated while they played air guitar, crushed air-drum solos, or swayed along to songs that have been the soundtrack to their lives for years.

One of the standouts of the night was Deen Castronovo taking the lead on “Lights.” The crowd didn’t even wait for a cue, singing so loud it filled the entire arena while everyone held up their phone lights. It was also a great surprise to hear Jason Derlatka step up for “Of a Lifetime,” a track they haven’t pulled out in a long time.

Arnel Pineda was a ball of energy on stage, jumping around from start to finish. He made it a point to come out to the crowd a couple of times, walking along the barricade to take selfies and high-five the front row. This kept the atmosphere feeling personal despite the massive scale of the show. Backing him up, the rhythm section was seamless, with Todd Jensen on bass. He provided a steady, heavy pulse that really gave the songs their drive and weight.

Of course, Neal Schon was a force of nature. It was truly a privilege to witness a rock legend of his caliber absolutely command his guitar solos. Watching him work his way across the fretboard with such ease is a reminder of why these songs became anthems in the first place.

The production was great, with visuals that really pulled the whole experience together and gave everyone in the band a chance to shine. Jonathan Cain had a beautiful solo moment before “Faithfully,” where he gave a heartfelt speech about writing the song in 1982 and the sacrifices of life on the road, dedicating it to the men and women in the armed forces. When they transitioned into “Open Arms,” the vibe shifted to a candlelit room on the screens with warm orange lighting hitting the crowd. It was one of those moments where you just had to stop and soak it all in.

The momentum didn’t let up for “Wheel in the Sky,” which featured a desert backdrop and pyrotechnics. The home stretch was just one big party. “Don’t Stop Believin’” was one giant sing-along, and Cain even re-emerged in a Texas Longhorns Jersey to show some local love. They wrapped up the night with “Any Way You Want It,” ending the set under a storm of streamers and confetti. It was an incredible way to celebrate their career. However, it felt bittersweet knowing this “Final Frontier Tour” would be the last time we would see Journey take the stage.

If you’re looking to see them on this final run, check out the official website for the remaining dates.

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