MOTHER NATURE VS JOURNEY

[oakley_reef]

TUCSON CONCERT-FUNNY AND VERY DESCRIPTIVE EXPERIENCE-FROM just4jrny

despite of the hard rain the people never leave the place they're still standing , dancing and singing with the band , the strong wind and heavy rain never stop them ! here's some review of one fan who been there at the concert..

Journey in Tucson, AZ, AVA 7/19/2008

...Prior to my most anticipated date. I had severe anxiety attack...waited so much to see them perform live this year at my most convenient time and date, I couldn't concentrate much at work. June 20, I purchased 3 tickets for the Tucson concert, the best seat available, without knowing yet who would come along with me. I wouldn't mind giving away 2 tickets , as long as I would not go to the concert alone. I don't drive long distance, I am color blind at night, new here in Phoenix, never been to Tucson.
So, I got somebody to drive for me, a guy from my work and his friend ( both Navahu members). When I approached my co-worker, he was so excited, he told me he love Journey songs and heard they have a new singer, but he could not afford to spend for the concert ticket. How much I made him happy, offering it for free. 2 days before our trip to Tucson...my car's catalytic converter was stolen. Had to report to the police, rushed to my car dealer to have it replace and fix, only to know that they could have the part in 2 days as they ran out of it. Rampant thief! Grabbed a yellow book, get hold of any muffler shop to have my car fix ASAP! My anxiety to the MAX!...alternating diarrhea, constipation and palpitations! I could have had a heart attack if I could not make it on the BIG day!
... so the car was fix. WHEW! we left Phoenix at 2pm and arrived Tucson at 4:20 pm, roamed around Casino del Sol, eat and played some slot. then got out to check AVA across the casino if the gate was opened. Was surprised to see a lot of people outside the gate, asking for concert tickets!, but I knew it was already sold out 2 days ago! Journey!...they sold out 20,000 venue, how much more 5,000 capacity. So I walked around...several people approached me, they knew I was ready for the concert, as I was wearing my Journey shirt...Got some concert tickets?..NO, sorry..( generic answer)...then approached again...asking other people same Q. I would say...a lot of them were asking for tickets or a ticket...I would say again,...A LOT! I could see the frustrations and disappointments on their faces. (Please see some of my clips for this!).It's kinda like Revelation at Walmart without the CD.
...we got inside AVA around 7pm.The security was so cool, he allowed my cameras. (I brought 2 plus my cellphone...just taking chances...I could take it back to my car..it's parked not that far).
I was surprised by their coolness, as they didn't even scanned the tickets, just tore it into 2...anybody can make a copy of any e -tickets....Anyways,...purchased some T-shirts, mug, bandanas. The peeps were at the Journey side..just a couple or 3 at CT. 3 boys ..ages aroud 9-11 beside me choosing Journey T-shirts. The weather was near perfect, slight humidity.
So we got our seat 3 or 4 rows from the stage, middle section. WOW! I would have the chance to see Journey members up close...maybe even the white of their eyes. hehehe...
I looked around...the audience was so diverse, aside from 2 Navahu tribe members beside me, mostly white guys, few Pinoys...maybe 5%.
Cheap Trick at 8pm..played for about 45 mins...was singing along with Flames..catched 5 guitar pick thrown at the audience. Okay..
...then waited again. The journey crew was preparing the stage. It is so small! How could Arnel run around the stage??? Cain's piano is so big. Deen's drum and riser occupied a lot of space, the amps too!...why should I worry so much? well..
I stood up on top of my chair, scanned the crowd again...sorry guys behind me...told me it's okay and smiled. Really cool Journey fans! This was not 5,000 people...it's overflowing. We were packed like sardines! As far as I could see, the lawn section was full and I could see some people outside the fence, like peeping toms, behind the iron bars!!

Then came Journey!!! Ross first...The crowd roared like wild lions! When Arnel hit the stage, the crowd roared even more!
The yelling, clapping, singing with the band, I couldn't pathom. I almost fell from the chair I was standing!!!went down and looked for my shoes! as I was about to wear it, I back off, as there was something I felt like vibrating electricity, maybe the vibration from the crowd's noise and the sound syatem...but I was scared.
Oh! forget about my video filming plan! How could I enjoy to sing, clap and dance if I woud be standing there still. You peeps would enjoy my video if posted on YT, while my enjoyment would be half baked! comm'on...! I am compensating that for some pics I have taken in between!
First 3 songs, I guess ( my mind is out..it's in 7th heaven!)...some water sprinkled!...I thought it was part of the show! But it was coming from back, left and right side of the covered area blown by the gushing wind! Then I heard a loud kinda like a firecrackers or gun fires! Then the rain getting heavier, thunder louder, lighting blinding! The band continued playing!!!!

NEAL SCHON! when he did his solo...WHAT A SIGHT TO BEHOLD!! He continued playing his guitar!!... at his BEST! He just stood there, fighting the wind, all soaked, really drenched!!! His white shirt..long sleeve, thin material (like Batik) sticking to his body! I WANTED TO CRY!!!... I WANTED TO HUG HIM!!! My mind was yelling! STOP IT NEAL! STOP IT! GET YOUR ASS OUT FROM THE RAIN!! I ALREADY KNEW YOU ARE A GUITAR GOD!!! YOU GONNA CATCH COLD! YOU GONNA GET SICK! ANYBODY HAS A RAINCOAT ??? GIVE IT TO HIM!! GET AWAY FROM THE RAIN!!! ...BUT HE WOULDN'T LISTEN! HE WOULDN'T LISTEN TO ME!!! HE JUST CONTINUED PLAYING!!! NEAL SCHON! YOU ARE A REAL TROUPER! AMAZINGLY PROFESSIONAL!...I regret not setting my video recorder. PROVEN!...how much you love your work! How much you value your fans! I was also worried he'll get electricuted as all the cables were soaked.

When Arnel sang AATY, I was singing at the top of my lungs! Well, I was a stand out as I know all the lyrics, others don't know much about the lyrics of the new song. Crowd just listen and clapped and got themselves STUNNED! I like Arnel's red-black-white attire.
...the heavy rains continued, after Arnel sang...the band stopped. I could see from their eyes they want to continue, Jonathan's piano was covered with a thick like a comforter sheet, then on top of it later with a big black plastic like the one we use as a garbage bag. But he too continued playing. From the roof, some water dropping directly on the piano. Likewise with Deen's drums, sound of the wet cymbals kinda became like pots and pans banged together. The group was worried their instruments would be damage. Journey crew all over the place...! drying each instruments with white towels...including the mike and mike stand...and the floor!! OMG! Arnel would be running on a wet track!

Arnel was whisked away by crew members! Bunch of white towels. 2 crew scorted him hurriedly to the backstage. They threw towels on his body, another one was patting his back and hair to dry while he was walking away. He was like a baby being taken cared of!!! Lot's of plastic covers and big tapes all over the stage.

Then, another long wait like forever from the soaked crowd for the band to come back. Nobody left! But the storm continued. Hey! Mother Nature are you testing our loyalty to Journey and the band's endurance?? I felt sorry for the children who were wet..a girl...around 4-year old sitting on his father lap, 3 seats away from me was so wet. In between waits...the crowd chanted...JOURNEY!....JOURNEY!

After about 45 minutes or more the band came back ( clothes changed...of course). Roared again! They did few of the dirty dozens...won't dwell much in details..but it was AMAZING!! AWESOME!! OMG!OMG! What a show! What a crowd! What a fan I am! ( I felt like my throat undergone thyroidectomy!)

To summarize:
....MOTHER NATURE VS JOURNEY:

....Thunder- Thunderous applause,
....Lighning- Electifying performance,
....Heavy rains- fans filled out all concert venue, really poured out support,
...strong Wind- was blown away by the band.

MOTHER NATURE VS JOURNEY!...JOURNEY WON!!

Please click link for some clips...will add more.

http://s351.photobucket.com/albums/q469 ... lbum_album



Side notes: On our way back to Phoenix...still heavy rains..the guy on the wheel kept on yapping...I was already half sleep,...
Arnel has a lot of charisma on stage, I really enjoyed the show! Is his teeth fix? He has a perfect set of teeth....etc. etc.He completed other details that I didn't notice. Half asleep listening to the guys, I content my self listening to my Oakley Thump with MP3 loaded with Journey songs!


VIDEO CLIP
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-QmqHVyr6A
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULODKkdrD7U
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_kh_9-t1LFg

[JH'sTXfan]

We've got tropical storm Dolly heading at us right now. So it may be raining Friday night at the San Antonio show and Saturday night in Houston. I hope not, it's a little early to predict.

Edit: At least we have a freakin' roof!

[DSHinMICH]

Stay safe Marie! And all who are in its path!!

[JH'sTXfan]

Stay safe Marie! And all who are in its path!!

Thank You. Looks like it's heading for Brownsville. The most we ever get this far inland is lots of rain. We do need some.
SouthTexan and Crazy(Deb) live down there. I hope they stay safe and dry.

[Babyblue]

Please stay safe & check in when you can.

[southtexan]

Stay safe Marie! And all who are in its path!!

Thank You. Looks like it's heading for Brownsville. The most we ever get this far inland is lots of rain. We do need some.
SouthTexan and Crazy(Deb) live down there. I hope they stay safe and dry.

thanks! people are panic-buying at HEB and walmart... some may grab some of those generation CDs as well.

gotta find where the line ends for sandbags.

[oakley_reef]

just hope wind may not so strong may God protect you all ...lets pray for there safetiness...

[JH'sTXfan]

Stay safe Marie! And all who are in its path!!

Thank You. Looks like it's heading for Brownsville. The most we ever get this far inland is lots of rain. We do need some.
SouthTexan and Crazy(Deb) live down there. I hope they stay safe and dry.

thanks! people are panic-buying at HEB and walmart... some may grab some of those generation CDs as well.

gotta find where the line ends for sandbags.

Seriously, you guys stay safe and keep us updated.

[Tito]

It rains in Arizona?

[brywool]

the chick singing with the band on the youtube clips needs to be shot. Oh my God!