It's a Big Week For The Band

[FamilyMan]

Madison Square Garden is a venue Journey hasn't sniffed since the Perry days. A lot of momentum between the Santana reunion and Smitty back behind the kit. It's too bad there isn't new music to promote because this is easily the highest their profile has been since Revelation. Anyway, I'm planning to see the show and rooting hard for our boys.

[STORY_TELLER]

Madison Square Garden is a venue Journey hasn't sniffed since the Perry days. A lot of momentum between the Santana reunion and Smitty back behind the kit. It's too bad there isn't new music to promote because this is easily the highest their profile has been since Revelation. Anyway, I'm planning to see the show and rooting hard for our boys.

That's awesome. Hey, if it's not too much to ask, take some vids with your phone and post 'em for us! lol...

Re: new music
Agreed -- but -- equal shame they don't simply include stuff they've recorded post Perry. I'd love to hear Arnel and Smitty's take on a tune off Arrival.

[WalrusOct9]

Only way their new stuff would get heard by anyone outside internet forums is if Perry was singing. I hope they continue to make music, because that's what musicians should do, but they're past the point of having fans willing to embrace new material, sadly. And have been for almost 20 years now.

They're playing MSG as a co-headline, not on their own. Their status isn't any lesser or greater than it has been over the past few years. But hey, Santana should be interesting. Wish I could see that.

[The_Noble_Cause]

..but they're past the point of having fans willing to embrace new material, sadly. And have been for almost 20 years now.

Hey, at least Revelation and Eclipse charted in the top 20. Generations was barely in the top 200.

[jrny84]

Madison Square Garden is a venue Journey hasn't sniffed since the Perry days. A lot of momentum between the Santana reunion and Smitty back behind the kit. It's too bad there isn't new music to promote because this is easily the highest their profile has been since Revelation. Anyway, I'm planning to see the show and rooting hard for our boys.

Pretty historic day for Journey as they have never played MSG, even back in the days with Perry. Really cool to see them play this iconic venue after all these years.

[tater1977]

With as big a fandom as Santana has and throw in some Journey fandom ... can't believe MSG is not sold out
any of the nights.

[Lerxst101]

With as big a fandom as Santana has and throw in some Journey fandom ... can't believe MSG is not sold out
any of the nights.

I'll be there tonight, and I am in complete agreement with you. I hope they get a lot of interest today and fill the arena by tonight. Been listening to local stations (WFAN, for example) giving away tickets for the past few weeks and thought there would be some decent buzz. No matter what, I'm looking forward to seeing and hearing two great bands tonight.

[jrny84]

With as big a fandom as Santana has and throw in some Journey fandom ... can't believe MSG is not sold out
any of the nights.

I'll be there tonight, and I am in complete agreement with you. I hope they get a lot of interest today and fill the arena by tonight. Been listening to local stations (WFAN, for example) giving away tickets for the past few weeks and thought there would be some decent buzz. No matter what, I'm looking forward to seeing and hearing two great bands tonight.

Cool. Let us know about the turnout/attendance, Lerxst101. I would be really curious to hear.

It seems over the years NY city really didn't embrace Journey as some of the other cities in the country such as Detroit, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Houston.

[Lerxst101]

Hey everyone, sorry for quick summary, but but have to jump on a plane soon. It was an incredible night. Honestly. My friend (big Santana fan) and I, despite having VIP tix, missed the beginning of Santana's set (first 20 minutes), as we assumed either a warm up band or late start, so we went to a great restaurant nearby, Seven Bar & Grill. We were wrong. Nonetheless, Santana was fantastic -- Neal and Gregg (and Michael Carabello and Michael Shrive) looked so happy to be up there playing to an amazing, enthusiastic crowd. My only "disappointment" is that Carlos, in typical fashion, often turns to the side or toward the drummer, so one can't see his beautiful guitar work. Moreover, near the front of the stage, the mix wasn't as good, so some of his solos were lost in the rest of the music. But the musicianship of the entire band was at such a high level, and the crowd really appreciated.

And Journey was obviously excited to be playing at MSG for the first time, when they went on an half hour after Santana left the stage (note that Neal, Gregg and the two Michaels left, to be replaced by Santana's current touring band, for the last 30-45 minutes of their set). But I digress. Yes, they played the dirty whatever, but they played with such enthusiasm, that it was honestly one of their better performances that I've heard in years. And while I love Deen, I am a long time Smitty fan -- both in Journey and his post-Journey work. His drumming is mind blowing. Even for the "simple" beats he often played, it looked like he was playing them creatively to keep up his interest. And his subtle stick work really made the songs even more special. La Do Da, by the way, was such a welcome surprise and sounded amazing. My only disappointment was that Gregg did not join them onstage to play Feelin That Way/Anytime or another classic where he and Steve would trade off lead vocals.

As to the crowd, it was large and enthusiastic. I was at Springsteen there a few months ago, and of course, that was sold out -- and he doesn't block off the sides or back of stage. But the Garden was pretty much full everywhere, and they were clearly into the band. It's tough to hear the crowd from the floor, so when I could hear the audience singing, I knew they must have all been singing along. A great night to be a Journey and Santana fan.

I will see the boys again with the DBs and Dave Mason in a few months, so we'll see how that compares. But despite having to trek into NYC from NJ on a work night, I am so thankful I was able to attend one of the better shows I've ever seen Journey perform.

[scarab]

thanks for the review.

Gregg sit in on any Journey songs?

[Lerxst101]

thanks for the review.

Gregg sit in on any Journey songs?

No -- that was very surprising and disappointing to me.

[FamilyMan]

True, there was a surprising lack of synergy between the two acts - considering the incestuous history they share. Neal was onstage with Santana less than expected and Gregg's absence from the Journey set was a bummer. But overall - the best I've seen them perform in some time.