Final Frontier Tour Setlist Thread

[Journey/Survivor]

Hey. Even Shaquille O' Neal has a gold record by using autotune. Who isn't a huge fan of his Ommmmmm song?

[danielb]

What, pray tell, do you think you are hearing in this clip? Aliens possessing Arnel's body?

I am hearing Arnel singing Faithfully out of tune. If auto tune was used, then surely it would have helped him reach the right notes, not the wrong notes?

[The_Noble_Cause]

What, pray tell, do you think you are hearing in this clip? Aliens possessing Arnel's body?

I am hearing Arnel singing Faithfully out of tune. If auto tune was used, then surely it would have helped him reach the right notes, not the wrong notes?

Ah, so you are going to pretend NOT to hear the massive robotic distortion in this clip?

What do you think that is?

It's auto-tune trying to conform/snap his voice to the nearest note.

Or, as someone else put it, "autotune tunes chromatically so if Arnel is closer to the note a 1/2 step below it will auto tune him down to incorrect note rather than up to correct one."

Why don't you just admit you have no interest in an honest discussion whatsoever?

[danielb]

I can hear the robotic effect. But why would they use Autotune configured with a setting that adjusts Arnel's vocal to hit the wrong notes? The whole purpose of Autotune is to make a singer sound good. Unless they are working things up as they go along, but I trust Journey can afford sound engineers that know how to work Autotune.

When Auto-Tune is set to "Chromatic," it is instructed to treat all 12 semitones in an octave (every white and black key on a piano) as potential, valid target notes.

How it works: Auto-Tune calculates the pitch of the incoming vocal in real-time and snaps it to the mathematically closest note in the 12-tone scale.
The Problem: If the intended note is D (a whole step up) but the singer (Arnel) is flat, falling 1/2 step below and closer to C#, Chromatic Mode will "correct" the voice down to the C# rather than up to the D.
The Result: The, singer sounds perfectly in tune, but on the wrong note, which can create a jarring or "wrong" harmony depending on the melody.

How to Fix This
If you are having this issue, here are the standard ways to solve it:
Switch from Chromatic to Scale Mode: Instead of Chromatic, select the specific key (e.g., D Major) and scale (e.g., Major) of the song. This restricts the notes the software can pull to, ensuring it only chooses notes within that key.
Remove Notes (Custom Scale): In the software's advanced view, you can manually "remove" the wrong note from the scale (e.g., remove C#). If C# is removed, Auto-Tune will be forced to skip it and jump to the next closest note, which would be D.

I would be interested to hear from Fil on this.

[Monker]

Well, the bottom line is Arnel sounds like crap here...autotune or not. It is simply horrible...I can't believe Neal is all smiles during this, like nothing is going wrong.

After reading this about autotune, I wonder if there is a way to only tune vocals in a specific range. Ever since the ear monitor fix, he sounds like crap in his mid-range but can still hit notes and do the acrobatics. That never made sense to me. But, if you can set autotune to kick in at a certain note and higher, then that would explain to me why this is. In the NYE concert, he would still try to do high notes but his voice simply could not do it.

[danielb]

On the other hand, he sounds really good here doing Faithfully in Washington and Pittsburgh. Nothing to suggest there's any autotune and only slighly pitchy in the outro vocal improvisation:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6X7UfCAPVbs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jrBN9C9UE3U

[Eric]

Lovin’ you is easy added last nights. THAT is something different!

https://www.youtube.com/live/vMRxP-ZIRt ... H&start=95

[danielb]

Arnel keeping up the good work in Faithfully, sounding strong in Quebec the other night without autotune:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9u7rOorDWg

[Eric]

Edge of the blade, Still they ride and Walks like a lady last night

[Loneman1]

Ok I'm willing to eat my words about the setlist diversity, they are seemingly rotating some cool stuff in and out in addition to the dirty dozen plus some. I don't think anything from the first 3 albums will make it, but who knows. By the time the tour is over hopefully they will have quite a few good deep cuts played.

[jrnyman28]

Ok I'm willing to eat my words about the setlist diversity, they are seemingly rotating some cool stuff in and out in addition to the dirty dozen plus some. I don't think anything from the first 3 albums will make it, but who knows. By the time the tour is over hopefully they will have quite a few good deep cuts played.

Neal stated right from the beginning there would be nothing from the first 3 albums….

[ADALBL]

Arnel keeping up the good work in Faithfully, sounding strong in Quebec the other night without autotune:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9u7rOorDWg

At the risk of sounding cruel, and I don’t mean to, the Quebec performance of Faithfully was far from strong. It was very uneven, pitchy throughout, and it felt like he was really pushing at times to find notes. Not horrible but definitely not strong and yes given all the pitch issues I would agree it was not AutoTuned so he deserves credit for that. I still give big-time props to Arnel for pulling it off all these years and still going out there and giving it his all.

[danielb]

I think that was strong. Imagine what it would sound like with Perry today Just by comparison.

[Loneman1]

Ok I'm willing to eat my words about the setlist diversity, they are seemingly rotating some cool stuff in and out in addition to the dirty dozen plus some. I don't think anything from the first 3 albums will make it, but who knows. By the time the tour is over hopefully they will have quite a few good deep cuts played.

Neal stated right from the beginning there would be nothing from the first 3 albums….

True, its just wishful thinking on my part that plans could change as the tour rolls on and they look for a different song to fill one of the rotating slots. I could see "Nickel & Dime" working well to give all the singers a break but the chances are slim to none for sure.

[The_Noble_Cause]

Neal stated right from the beginning there would be nothing from the first 3 albums….

I must have missed that. Where was that said? Bummer.

[The_Noble_Cause]

Ok I'm willing to eat my words about the setlist diversity, they are seemingly rotating some cool stuff in and out in addition to the dirty dozen plus some. I don't think anything from the first 3 albums will make it, but who knows. By the time the tour is over hopefully they will have quite a few good deep cuts played.

Neal stated right from the beginning there would be nothing from the first 3 albums….

True, its just wishful thinking on my part that plans could change as the tour rolls on and they look for a different song to fill one of the rotating slots. I could see "Nickel & Dime" working well to give all the singers a break but the chances are slim to none for sure.

I expected them to recognize the first 3 in some way. On the 30th anniversary tour they played a bunch.

[Journey/Survivor]

Neal stated right from the beginning there would be nothing from the first 3 albums….

I must have missed that. Where was that said? Bummer.

From what I recall, I think that he said that there probably won't be anything from the first 3 albums?

Hopefully the 2027 portion of the tour will have longer sets than the 2026 portion. And then maybe they will throw in a few from the first 3 albums.

[Loneman1]

I expected them to recognize the first 3 in some way. On the 30th anniversary tour they played a bunch.

Same here, but the fact that Neal mentioned right out of the gate that that wasn't in the plan made me kinda wonder if maybe those songs may be more involved with whatever the post-Jon Journey will be? I still think someplace during this tour they might dust something off even though its not part of the current plan. Those formative years might not have been commercially successful but they paved the way to whats happening today, especially if this is truly a farewell tour you'd think every era would get a nod, even a small one.

[Loneman1]

Neal stated right from the beginning there would be nothing from the first 3 albums….

I must have missed that. Where was that said? Bummer.

I'm blanking on that, but I'm sure it was in an interview he did semi-recently. I don't think it was Rick Beato, but around that time.....?

[ADALBL]

I think that was strong. Imagine what it would sound like with Perry today Just by comparison.

Well considering Perry actually recently released a current version of Faithfully that was only tuned down 1/2 step (same key he sung the song in on his last solo tour) we don't have to imagine, we know. And to my ear I thought he sounded great. Yes it was a different version but it was Perry, singing great, with that unmistakable timbre that makes his voice uniquely special and his pitch and phrasing was still absolutely top notch. Yes it was studio as opposed to live but my guess is his live version would be very similar.

[youkeepmewaiting]

I think you're kidding yourself if you don't think Perry took a lot of takes to get that most recent version of Faithfully up to scratch - I enjoy it but he definitely doesn't sound great

I think that was strong. Imagine what it would sound like with Perry today Just by comparison.

Well considering Perry actually recently released a current version of Faithfully that was only tuned down 1/2 step (same key he sung the song in on his last solo tour) we don't have to imagine, we know. And to my ear I thought he sounded great. Yes it was a different version but it was Perry, singing great, with that unmistakable timbre that makes his voice uniquely special and his pitch and phrasing was still absolutely top notch. Yes it was studio as opposed to live but my guess is his live version would be very similar.

[jrnyman28]

Hopefully the 2027 portion of the tour will have longer sets than the 2026 portion. And then maybe they will throw in a few from the first 3 albums.

I heard a rumor they’re considering opening acts for the 2027 leg which would actually mean less set time. I really hope that’s not true.

[jrnyman28]

made me kinda wonder if maybe those songs may be more involved with whatever the post-Jon Journey will be? I still think someplace during this tour they might dust something off even though it’s not part of the current plan. Those formative years might not have been commercially successful but they paved the way to whats happening today, especially if this is truly a farewell tour you'd think every era would get a nod, even a small one.

I agree. Future plans? But this tour would be the time. Still, the 30th Anniversary tour certainly didn’t go the way they hoped. Maybe they’re gunshy. Not to mention Jon is not a fan of certain eras/styles…

[Loneman1]

made me kinda wonder if maybe those songs may be more involved with whatever the post-Jon Journey will be? I still think someplace during this tour they might dust something off even though it’s not part of the current plan. Those formative years might not have been commercially successful but they paved the way to whats happening today, especially if this is truly a farewell tour you'd think every era would get a nod, even a small one.

I agree. Future plans? But this tour would be the time. Still, the 30th Anniversary tour certainly didn’t go the way they hoped. Maybe they’re gunshy. Not to mention Jon is not a fan of certain eras/styles…

Yeah, I remember when Santana was on the same bill as Journey in the bay area several years ago, and everyone figured they'd jam at some point. I asked Neal on FB why they didn't end up doing something on stage and figured it was Carlos that wasn't into it, but his response was along the lines of "It wasn't Carlos that nixed it", which at the time was pretty pointed toward Jon since they were having some of their many issues at the time. I could see Jon only wanting to do mostly the stuff he was featured on during his tenure since this is his last tour, but that is pretty damn petty if thats the reason for no pre-Perry songs.

[The_Noble_Cause]

Not to mention Jon is not a fan of certain eras/styles…

Cain has been singing Rolie's parts on FTW/Anytime/JTSW ever since Perry left.
It's one of the few parts of the show were he seems almost animated.
If he truly hated it, why do it?

[The_Noble_Cause]

Yeah, I remember when Santana was on the same bill as Journey in the bay area several years ago, and everyone figured they'd jam at some point.  I asked Neal on FB why they didn't end up doing something on stage and figured it was Carlos that wasn't into it, but his response was along the lines of "It wasn't Carlos that nixed it", which at the time was pretty pointed toward Jon since they were having some of their many issues at the time.  I could see Jon only wanting to do mostly the stuff he was featured on during his tenure since this is his last tour, but that is pretty damn petty if thats the reason for no pre-Perry songs.

In his last Rolling Stone interview, Schon blamed Azoff and multiple members for not letting the 2017 co-tour with Santana happen ("Management did not want it, and some members did not want it").

Considering that Ross and Smith would be fired a few years later, how can you be so sure the problem was all Jon?

Reminder - if Jon voted with everyone else (Ross, Smith, Herbie, and Perry), Neal may not even be in Journey right now.

More than likely none of the guys - except Neal - were really interested in doing the Santana jam idea.

To this day, Schon continues to blame "former management" for misc. band issues.

I have no doubt that Cain will also achieve some sort of phantom boogeyman status after this tour concludes and is long gone.

It gets old.

[The_Noble_Cause]

I heard a rumor they’re considering opening acts for the 2027 leg which would actually mean less set time. I really hope that’s not true.

Oh I have no doubt at this point. Deen or Jason are already doing 6 tunes a night. I don't think there's any more bandwidth. Arnel can barely shoulder the dirty dozen.

[danielb]

Arnel can barely shoulder the dirty dozen.

He sings 17 songs

[The_Noble_Cause]

Arnel can barely shoulder the dirty dozen.

He sings 17 songs

"The Dirty Dozen" is a phrase used by Ross to refer to the mandatory songs they had to play every night. Augeri also sang more than twelve during Evening With shows. Unlike Arnel, however, he didn't get nearly as many breaks.

From what I am hearing, I am not optimistic about a two year run without something changing.

[Monker]

Yeah, I remember when Santana was on the same bill as Journey in the bay area several years ago, and everyone figured they'd jam at some point.  I asked Neal on FB why they didn't end up doing something on stage and figured it was Carlos that wasn't into it, but his response was along the lines of "It wasn't Carlos that nixed it", which at the time was pretty pointed toward Jon since they were having some of their many issues at the time.  I could see Jon only wanting to do mostly the stuff he was featured on during his tenure since this is his last tour, but that is pretty damn petty if thats the reason for no pre-Perry songs.

In his last Rolling Stone interview, Schon blamed Azoff and multiple members for not letting the 2017 co-tour with Santana happen ("Management did not want it, and some members did not want it").

Considering that Ross and Smith would be fired a few years later, how can you be so sure the problem was all Jon?

Reminder - if Jon voted with everyone else (Ross, Smith, Herbie, and Perry), Neal may not even be in Journey right now.

More than likely none of the guys - except Neal - were really interested in doing the Santana jam idea.

To this day, Schon continues to blame "former management" for misc. band issues.

I have no doubt that Cain will also achieve some sort of phantom boogeyman status after this tour concludes and is long gone.

It gets old.

Well, Valory and Smith were hired hands, not part of the LLC. If Schon and Cain were united, they could tell everybody else to either agree to playing with Santana or quit and they would hire someone else. If Jonathan wanted to perform with Santana and Neal caved to Valory/Smith, then Neal agreed to not doing it and is as much to blame as they are.

If Neal tours as "Journey Beyond", then I doubt Jonathan gets anything. I would think Perry doesn't either. If he tries to tour as "Journey", that would be different...and, yes, Jonathan and Perry will get a share of all revenue.