I hope this is a fresh chapter in Journey's history. It is my opinion that Soto is the change Journey has needed for years now. You don't replace Perry with a soundalike. (For those that say Augeri was not hired to be a vocal "clone", go back and watch Deen say that he was Steve Perry with a perm on Separate Ways during BTM). You replace Perry with a singer who has his own style, who brings something different to the table.
I keep hearing people say "This is just temporary, Augeri will be back". I am not buying that for even a second.
I also don't think you can judge ANYTHING on fan acceptance from this tour. It is my understanding that most of the crowds are DL fans, and Journey is viewed as a warm-up band. With Augeri, I would tend to agree with this view.
It is no secret that I am not an Augeri fan. I don't know much about Soto, but I like what I hear when he tones his voice down from screamer to singer. I am pulling for Soto like the Augeri Heads pulled for Augeri.
I believe Journey is going to open things up, get noticed, and finally write something worth listening to. In my opinion, Generations was a joke - a horrible album. I want them to find time to write this year, get in the studio next year, and become a HUGE blip on the radar screen.
JOURNEY IS BACK ! In a way that hasn't happened since Trial By Fire

Finally, something to get excited about with the band, with the internet boards, and with the music.