The Ten Hottest Summer Package Tours of 2012

[steveo777]

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/photo ... ey-0488058

Loverboy, Pat Benatar and Journey

Target Audience: People who think that music peaked during that magical summer of 1981. Charles and Diana were getting married, MTV was launching and Loverboy were poised to take over the world. Meanwhile, Journey had just released their album Escape featuring a little song called "Don't Stop Believin'" and Pat Benatar was America's newest sex godess. This is also a show for anyone who thinks that headband never went out of style, because nobody rocks a headband like Benatar and Loverboy's Mike Reno.

Missing Members: Pat Benetar is still with her husband/guitarist Neil Giraldo, and Loverboy has every living member of the classic lineup besides bassist Scott Smith, who tragically drowned off the coast of San Francisco in 2000. Journey is a more complicated story. Singer Steve Perry hasn't toured with the group since 1986, and drummer Steve Smith split in 1998. A Perry-less Journey may seem unimaginable, but new singer Arnel Pineda does an amazing job.

Likely Highlight: The place will go nuts for "Don't Stop Believin'" and "Love Is A Battlefield," but don't overlook Loverboy. Who doesn't love "Working For The Weekend?"

Read more: http://www.rollingstone.com/music/photo ... z1txf8A8Gr

[scarab]

Pat should be headlining this.

[Don]

Three bands, another 15 song set-list it looks like. Benatar shouldn't even be in this package. The energy she brings will be the polar opposite of how Foreigner set the table for Journey last year. I love Pat and have seen her many times since she first hit the scene but she is better off in venues where she is the headliner with pop inspired acts like Berlin and Scandal opening for her.

[Journey/Survivor]

Pat should be headlining this.

Journey should be the headliner for any show that they ever play. It's a disgrace that Journey did not headline that tour with Def Leppard several years back.

[scarab]

why should a band with one full time member with a Karaoke singer headline over Pat Benatar who has just as many hits?
At the very least they should rotate headlining.

If journey wants to tour with glass tiger then they should headline.

[The_Noble_Cause]

Every year it seems the band is on the cusp of reclaiming their arena legend glory and becoming somewhat pop-culturally relevant, only to get stuck touring with a bunch of has-beens. Mike Reno is great tho. Him and Neal did an album at one time, tho largely forgotten.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8v6QL0BuTok

[RumTumJM]

It makes sense. What did we all say last year: "Foreigner blew Journey & stole the whole show!"

So now, Journey has an act, Pat Benatar, that will rock big time, fits their era/demographic, but will not be as likely to stael the show from them, as Foreigner did.

I just hope they do not get too relaxed with this arrangement. I hope Arnel has worked on his diction & Neal reels in the noodling.

[Gideon]

I hope Arnel has worked on his diction & Neal reels in the noodling.

I think we all know which one of the two is more likely to happen.

[Ehwmatt]

Three bands, another 15 song set-list it looks like. Benatar shouldn't even be in this package. The energy she brings will be the polar opposite of how Foreigner set the table for Journey last year. I love Pat and have seen her many times since she first hit the scene but she is better off in venues where she is the headliner with pop inspired acts like Berlin and Scandal opening for her.

Maybe Foreigner set the stage a little TOO well for Journey last year? In my eyes, they certainly did...

[Abitaman]

One thing for sure, both classic Foreigner and the new line up ROCK. Even the Johnny Edwards fronted band rocked. Mick has done a good job of keeping the band in stores and in concert.

[Abitaman]

The last time I saw Foreigner they opened for Styx, and set the bar so high, that Styx was out done.

Foreigner is going to be playing about 30 or 40 minutes from me in Chattanooga here soon. Wil have to make a trip down to see them at River fest.

[livin2do]

I want to know why Foreigner always bores me when I see them. So many here seem to think watching them is like watching the freaking Beatles or something. The first time I saw them, the friend I went with FELL ASLEEP. I've seen them open shows four other times, only once would I say they were better than that first show. Yes, that was with Kelly Hansen, but so were two of the others. Their music - as much as I have loved it - just doesn't hold up live.

[steveo777]

I want to know why Foreigner always bores me when I see them. So many here seem to think watching them is like watching the freaking Beatles or something. The first time I saw them, the friend I went with FELL ASLEEP. I've seen them open shows four other times, only once would I say they were better than that first show. Yes, that was with Kelly Hansen, but so were two of the others. Their music - as much as I have loved it - just doesn't hold up live.

Well, look around you and see who is posting. What is posted here does not represent the general public. I wouldn't recommend depending on this place for accurate news feeds either.

[AJ]

I definitely don't agree. I would not want her to headline. Saw her with REO two summers ago and left half-way through her set (REO was first, which surprised me). While she still has a powerful set of pipes, it just seemed like she was screaming at the top of her lungs. Plus, she just stood there and her husband did all the talking in between songs. His ramblings were much worse than Kevin Cronin's!!! REO was much more entertaining...not to mention Pat had TONS of recorded music played. Her husband was going behind the piano/keyboard to start nearly every song. My wife loves her music, and I like some of her songs, but we just could not stand another minute.

[Michigan Girl]

I want to know why Foreigner always bores me when I see them. So many here seem to think watching them is like watching the freaking Beatles or something. The first time I saw them, the friend I went with FELL ASLEEP. I've seen them open shows four other times, only once would I say they were better than that first show. Yes, that was with Kelly Hansen, but so were two of the others. Their music - as much as I have loved it - just doesn't hold up live.

Well, look around you and see who is posting. What is posted here does not represent the general public. I wouldn't recommend depending on this place for accurate news feeds either.

Were you at any of the shows Steveo?! you certainly don't respresent the general public.
You've read the reviews, you've heard people outside of this forum.
Don't try to act as though the only people raving exist here at MR ...you're just jealous/angry
because so many people preferred a band full of replacements to a two replacement
band. Perhaps if JOURNEY had not ignored the sound issue complaints, people would
be more forgiving.
LTD, Journey's sound was so bad at my show last tour that we changed seats three times and then
had to leave early. If I had been drunk, high and stupid I couldn't have fallen asleep ...so
how old is your friend ...

[Ehwmatt]

I want to know why Foreigner always bores me when I see them. So many here seem to think watching them is like watching the freaking Beatles or something. The first time I saw them, the friend I went with FELL ASLEEP. I've seen them open shows four other times, only once would I say they were better than that first show. Yes, that was with Kelly Hansen, but so were two of the others. Their music - as much as I have loved it - just doesn't hold up live.

Well, look around you and see who is posting. What is posted here does not represent the general public. I wouldn't recommend depending on this place for accurate news feeds either.

Were you at any of the shows Steveo?! you certainly don't respresent the general public.
You've read the reviews, you've heard people outside of this forum.
Don't try to act as though the only people raving exist here at MR ...you're just jealous/angry
because so many people preferred a band full of replacements to a two replacement
band. Perhaps if JOURNEY had not ignored the sound issue complaints, people would
be more forgiving.
LTD, Journey's sound was so bad at my show last tour that we changed seats three times and then
had to leave early. If I had been drunk, high and stupid I couldn't have fallen asleep ...so
how old is your friend ...

Yeah. My experience with the "general public" vis-a-vis the last tour is limited to the five people I brought with me. One was a diehard AOR fan, one was a pretty big Journey fan and casual fan of the other two, and the other three were just there to hear DSB. The verdict? The other two bands were "good" to "great," and Journey was "terrible" because they "couldn't understand a thing." Now, how much of that was due to Arnel's singing and how much of it was due to the sound mix, I don't know. I do know the sound was AWFUL at the show I saw and apparently most other shows on last year's tour.

[Michigan Girl]

I want to know why Foreigner always bores me when I see them. So many here seem to think watching them is like watching the freaking Beatles or something. The first time I saw them, the friend I went with FELL ASLEEP. I've seen them open shows four other times, only once would I say they were better than that first show. Yes, that was with Kelly Hansen, but so were two of the others. Their music - as much as I have loved it - just doesn't hold up live.

Well, look around you and see who is posting. What is posted here does not represent the general public. I wouldn't recommend depending on this place for accurate news feeds either.

Were you at any of the shows Steveo?! you certainly don't respresent the general public.
You've read the reviews, you've heard people outside of this forum.
Don't try to act as though the only people raving exist here at MR ...you're just jealous/angry
because so many people preferred a band full of replacements to a two replacement
band. Perhaps if JOURNEY had not ignored the sound issue complaints, people would
be more forgiving.
LTD, Journey's sound was so bad at my show last tour that we changed seats three times and then
had to leave early. If I had been drunk, high and stupid I couldn't have fallen asleep ...so
how old is your friend ...

Yeah. My experience with the "general public" vis-a-vis the last tour is limited to the five people I brought with me. One was a diehard AOR fan, one was a pretty big Journey fan and casual fan of the other two, and the other three were just there to hear DSB. The verdict? The other two bands were "good" to "great," and Journey was "terrible" because they "couldn't understand a thing." Now, how much of that was due to Arnel's singing and how much of it was due to the sound mix, I don't know. I do know the sound was AWFUL at the show I saw and apparently most other shows on last year's tour.

I commented last year after they'd let the sound issues go on, show after show, that it made me wonder what they
were trying to hide. Far~fetched?! Perhaps ...they should've corrected the problem.

[SF-Dano]

I want to know why Foreigner always bores me when I see them. So many here seem to think watching them is like watching the freaking Beatles or something. The first time I saw them, the friend I went with FELL ASLEEP. I've seen them open shows four other times, only once would I say they were better than that first show. Yes, that was with Kelly Hansen, but so were two of the others. Their music - as much as I have loved it - just doesn't hold up live.

I have seen Foreigner twice and was also underwhelmed both times. They were not actually bad, but just boring (blah) as you said. I too like the majority of their music, so I am not sure why it doesn't seem to translate well in concert for me either. I do admit that I am not a big fan of Foreigner's ballads, and maybe that is what bores me in the live setting. But even tunes like Juke Box Hero or Cold As Ice did not really get me that pumped. They are definitely and opening act in my book. Would not pay to see them headline.

As for Journey, I did not see a show on the last tour. However, per second hand reviews from friends at the Shoreline show, they were fully entertained and the sound was fine. This could have been, and from all the reading here it was, an exception rather than the rule in regards to the sound at shows during the last tour.

[Eric]

I want to know why Foreigner always bores me when I see them. So many here seem to think watching them is like watching the freaking Beatles or something. The first time I saw them, the friend I went with FELL ASLEEP. I've seen them open shows four other times, only once would I say they were better than that first show. Yes, that was with Kelly Hansen, but so were two of the others. Their music - as much as I have loved it - just doesn't hold up live.

I have seen Foreigner twice and was also underwhelmed both times. They were not actually bad, but just boring (blah) as you said. I too like the majority of their music, so I am not sure why it doesn't seem to translate well in concert for me either. I do admit that I am not a big fan of Foreigner's ballads, and maybe that is what bores me in the live setting. But even tunes like Juke Box Hero or Cold As Ice did not really get me that pumped. They are definitely and opening act in my book. Would not pay to see them headline.

As for Journey, I did not see a show on the last tour. However, per second hand reviews from friends at the Shoreline show, they were fully entertained and the sound was fine. This could have been, and from all the reading here it was, an exception rather than the rule in regards to the sound at shows during the last tour.

Journey was by far the crowd favorite at the show I went to, and the sound was fine. I most enjoyed NR to be honest. Foreigner was very energetic. Good overall show.

[Journey/Survivor]

I want to know why Foreigner always bores me when I see them. So many here seem to think watching them is like watching the freaking Beatles or something. The first time I saw them, the friend I went with FELL ASLEEP. I've seen them open shows four other times, only once would I say they were better than that first show. Yes, that was with Kelly Hansen, but so were two of the others. Their music - as much as I have loved it - just doesn't hold up live.

I love Foreigner! They're my 3rd favorite band of all time. I've seen them in concert too many times to remember now. I have virtually everything that they've ever released. Hell, I even have the outside projects that they've done over the years. Mick Jones solo album, Black Sheep, Poor Heart, Spooky Tooth, Shadow King, Gramm's solo albums, IF, etc, etc.

Foreigner have tons of awesome songs, and I respect the hell out of the band.

But I don't understand how anyone can claim that Foreigner outplayed Journey last year??? I find that claim to be laughable.

The same goes for Night Ranger. Night Ranger are my 4th favorite band of all time. I like them almost as much as Foreigner. But in no way, IMO, did they outplay Journey last year.

I will say that last years Journey show probably ranks as my least favorite of any of the shows of theirs that I've been to. They should have played at least 2 more songs from Eclipse, and I'm getting sick of some of the Dirty Dozen songs live. But they were still the best band on the stage last year, IMO.

Foreigner played 100% hit songs last year in Cleveland. They didn't take any chances at all.

[The_Noble_Cause]

But I don't understand how anyone can claim that Foreigner outplayed Journey last year??? I find that claim to be laughable.

It's not "laughable." Believe it. Foreigner has a genuine frontman who knows how to interact, engage, and hit those high notes with ease. As others have mentioned, Journey's sound mix this tour was mud. Arnel can sing his ass off, but that doesn't make a good rock show.

[RedWingFan]

But I don't understand how anyone can claim that Foreigner outplayed Journey last year??? I find that claim to be laughable.

It's not "laughable." Believe it. Foreigner has a genuine frontman who knows how to interact, engage, and hit those high notes with ease. As others have mentioned, Journey's sound mix this tour was mud. Arnel can sing his ass off, but that doesn't make a good rock show.

Journey even went so far as to order Arnel to do a lap through the crowd copying what Hansen was doing with Foreigner from the start. Journey got their asses handed to them nightly.

[Eric]

But I don't understand how anyone can claim that Foreigner outplayed Journey last year??? I find that claim to be laughable.

It's not "laughable." Believe it. Foreigner has a genuine frontman who knows how to interact, engage, and hit those high notes with ease. As others have mentioned, Journey's sound mix this tour was mud. Arnel can sing his ass off, but that doesn't make a good rock show.

Journey even went so far as to order Arnel to do a lap through the crowd copying what Hansen was doing with Foreigner from the start. Journey got their asses handed to them nightly.

The only time you could even argue Journey got their asses handed to them was the Main Event Tour in '03. Journey was flat and Styx was outstanding. Last year was nothing like that at all. Foreigner had great energy with a short tight set, but they were not better than Journey or Night Ranger the show I saw.