Sound issues plague Journey's UK tour

[Don]

In what has been recurring theme the last three shows (and the last three UK tours in general), fans felt a bit cheated by Journey's soundman at the Motorpoint Arena.



"Just been to watch you at sheffield motor point arena . I cant believe I came out feeling absolutely deflated and disappointed. As lisa above says the musIc drowned the singing out and whoever has done the sound checks really needs telling. The music sounded like you were under water or waiting for your ears to pop. Could not hear the singing at all. Thunder and whitesnake were fab soo it wasn't the arena. Sooo sooo disappointed and will be contacting motor point arena tomorrow.
PS. left early as many others did due to this."

"Sorry to say it but think ur sound check was off tonight.. Could hardly here the song cos music drowned the singing out. Sorry."

"awful sound last night in Sheffield during Journeys' set. Whitesnake & Thunder had no problems so what happened during Journeys? been to see hundreds of gigs over the years and seen Journey many times, yes bands have technical problems but not for the WHOLE show! Hope the problems get ironed out for saturday in Nottingham boys! see you there!!"

"Sack the sound engineer. We were near the front and it was too quiet. The mix was awful and deflated what had been a great night up to then. Another disappointed Journey fan."

"Nothing to do with band or performance. It was all sound. You can't rock without a good sound. Why was this allowed to go on for the whole show? Tried to tell sound guy but security took the message and obviously didn't pass it on."

"Really disappointed with the sound last night at Sheffield! Loved the songs but the sound was really shocking, ruined it a bit for me I have to say as you were the main band I wanted to see."

"Sort out your sound ... disappointed with it last night , but you were Brilliant . x"

"Utter disappointment from me, walked out after 3 songs, as did many others at Sheffield."

[The Sushi Hunter]

The on-stage monitor system for just the band probably sounded pretty good though. I say this because if the band itself knew of the sound issue, I would think they would have tried to get it adjusted properly/fixed right away.

[steveo777]

Was it really that bad? To me doesn't seem so from this guy's seat........

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k58_gSAodF8

[Rick]

Was it really that bad? To me doesn't seem so from this guy's seat........

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k58_gSAodF8

Sounded great. Arnel takes a few liberties with that song, and while I didn't care for them before, I think he did a great job there.

[Don]

Was it really that bad? To me doesn't seem so from this guy's seat........

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k58_gSAodF8

We can only go by what was reported. I'm sure there were a few sweet spots out there but I wasn't there so can only go by what different people are saying. Some of them are still saying Journey did a good job, just the sound wasn't right so I don't think these are just people bitching just to bitch.
It may be that Whitesnake is just blowing everybody out of the water and the different music style doesn't sound right after Coverdale's set. I really don't know.
Faithfully is one of the last songs played each night so the place is only two thirds full by that time from what is being reported. Maybe when everyone starts leaving, the empty space helps the acoustics get better?

To me, (and I KNOW I'm not the only one) that particular song sounds like shit even with good acoustics these days. Easily the worse song in the setlist because of the detuning.

You know what's sad? One guy was actually pissed to no end because they weren't playing ANYTHING from Revelation and Eclipse. He was also bent because the only T-shirts they are selling there say "Greatest Hits Tour" on them.
I guess he bought into what Cain was selling in that interview the other day about how the band was gonna play Eclipse and Gens stuff. Major burn. I don't think he'll be welcoming the band back to the UK anytime soon.

[RyanHippFTW]

the only T-shirts they are selling there say "Greatest Hits Tour" on them

wow, for real?

[Don]

Here's a funny one.

"it didn't look like Jonathan & Ross were enjoying themselves the way that they used to on stage. Is this a "contractual obligations" tour?"

[Don]

Add a few more in there. None of these people sound like haters, just disappointed fans.

"I have to agree with everyone from last night, we are massive journey fans and have seen them several times, but the sound was so disappointing, Arnels voice was amazing but it's a pity the sound let it down. Thunder & Whitesnake sounded fantastic!!!"

"Love Journey myself, but the last tour was the same, Foreigner out did them then, all due sound "

"the mix was all over the place, you could hardly hear the snare, no hi-hats toms or cymbals, nothing coming out of the PA, keys well down in the mix, Jonathans guitar was none existent, Neals way down in the mix except on solo, vocals muffled and general sound too bassey. its got to be with the sound team as the rest of the night the sound was superb for the other bands. Had been looking forward to this gig for the past year and left so disapointed, the boys worked their socks off but someone within the sound team have got it badly wrong and it needs rectifying before this fantastic band loses any more fans!!"

"The sound was so flat, that's the only way I can describe it. Like you I've been so excited about this for a year and when everyone sat down or started leaving I was so disappointed. I thought the band themselves were amazing, just a shame someone on the sound desk doesn't have a clue!"

[Don]

From all accounts, Journey sounded good at the Download Festival and Graspop. Maybe they'll skip the arenas over there next time and go back to playing festivals.

[steveo777]

It's not even Arnel people are bitching about. Most feel he sounds great.

[majik]

Here's a funny one.

"it didn't look like Jonathan & Ross were enjoying themselves the way that they used to on stage. Is this a "contractual obligations" tour?"

Burnout ( Jon & Ross ) is the impression I got seeing them in Perth not surprised by this.

[Don]

It's not even Arnel people are bitching about. Most feel he sounds great.

Like I said, it's a combination things. Even one of the main reviews said it. Journey is playing their heart out but between having bad sound and playing after the group that most people have come to see, and playing a different style of music compared to the earlier acts, it's just a bad time.
Most shows build momentum towards the final act but in this case it seems like Whitesnake is making everyone blow their wad early and Journey is left with nothing but the remnants of sloppy seconds afterwards.

I've no doubt it's A UK thing and when the two bands play in Canada later, Journey will be received much better. But when you're on the hometurf of a guy like Coverdale, you've gotta bring your AAA+++ game to impress if you are the follow up act.

[RyanHippFTW]

wait, why is Journey closing the show? last time they toured with Whitesnake wasn't it with Leppard and Journey was the first act to play?

[steveo777]

wait, why is Journey closing the show? last time they toured with Whitesnake wasn't it with Leppard and Journey was the first act to play?

Because they're a world band now.
Their lead singer is more worldly than Steve Perry. He's been more places.

[Don]

wait, why is Journey closing the show? last time they toured with Whitesnake wasn't it with Leppard and Journey was the first act to play?

Probably an Irving decision. They are coheadliners. Both bands playing 75 minutes. Someone has to close. Unfortunately the crowd has been hitting the pubs early when Journey gets to their fourth song it sounds like.

[The Sushi Hunter]

Here's a funny one.

"it didn't look like Jonathan & Ross were enjoying themselves the way that they used to on stage. Is this a "contractual obligations" tour?"

Never really know what the deal is with them unless they themselves straight up tell us. Anything else is just speculation like.....maybe they were unhappy with the audio mix as others have mentioned was an issue at the performance.

[brywool]

How would one know if Jon Cain enjoys himself at a gig? Dude NEVER smiles. Always looks bored.

Regarding the sound guy- man, this has gone on so long for Journey.
JOURNEY- Seriously, time to get a new FOH crew. They are clearly blowing it for you.

[jestor92]

Journey with "sound issues". How is this news? They've been having sound issues since Augeri was the vocalist. I remember reading reviews and hearing reviews about the band having sound issues when they toured with REO and Styx back in what 2004 or 2005? 8-9 years later and they still don't have those issues figured out

[Michigan Girl]

I hate to sound like a broken record, but they did last time I saw them, so i don't have a problem repeating ...........Foreigner (No sound issues) Night Riders ( No sound issues), Journey (AWFUL SOUND) and they had many, many PRINTED complaints about the sound issues and nothing. The issues seemed to be touch and go, some folks/venues heard them, others not, and some sections of some venues had good sound while the rest did not. So, no, I don't see this changing.

[scarygirl]

wait, why is Journey closing the show? last time they toured with Whitesnake wasn't it with Leppard and Journey was the first act to play?

Because they're a world band now.
Their lead singer is more worldly than Steve Perry. He's been more places.

Might have something to do with that hip.

[Rick]

wait, why is Journey closing the show? last time they toured with Whitesnake wasn't it with Leppard and Journey was the first act to play?

Because they're a world band now.
Their lead singer is more worldly than Steve Perry. He's been more places.

Might have something to do with that hip.

Arnel is going to need hip replacement if he falls off the stage one more time.

[Don]

Another show tonight, and the hits just keep on coming.

"Just left Newcastle.....early, I bet you are not so excited now. Pathetic."


"Just came from Newcastle gig, bass drums muddy and drowning out the mid and high tones, far too much reverb on Vocals made them drown in with the guitars. Too much compression in general, no punch. Thunder stole the show both with stage presence and sound. Good night overall but from what I am reading your other gigs weren't up to scratch either. Saw you 2 years ago when you came to Newcastle and the sound was fantastic, so something is a miss."

[FamilyMan]

Don't we hear about this every year in the UK? Wasn't last year's issue some sound truck didn't clear customs or got stuck in mud or something?
Their tour manager used to be a good guy named JT Toomey, but I don't think he's around anymore. Who's mixing this time around? Do we need an Elson intervention?

[Don]

Arnel tweeted a thanks to the crowd at Newcastle for not all bailing on the band when they came out tonight. That pretty much verifies the reports of mass exoduses during Journey's set we've been reading about.

[steveo777]

Arnel tweeted a thanks to the crowd at Newcastle for not all bailing on the band when they came out tonight. That pretty much verifies the reports of mass exoduses during Journey's set we've been reading about.

Sad! I'm sure he feels really helpless over this situation, while the leaders in the band, seem to not make it a priority. A good manager would roll heads over the first night, not continue to accept fuckups like this over several shows.

[Don]

Arnel tweeted a thanks to the crowd at Newcastle for not all bailing on the band when they came out tonight. That pretty much verifies the reports of mass exoduses during Journey's set we've been reading about.

Sad! I'm sure he feels really helpless over this situation, while the leaders in the band, seem to not make it a priority. A good manager would roll heads over the first night, not continue to accept fuckups like this over several shows.

It shows that the band knows it's happening. I'm surprised the haven't front ended their set with the hardest tunes they have to keep the crowd there. Of course, Neal was saying the other day that they hadn't really even practiced to start this tour. I know they don't want to pull Arnel away from his family earlier than they have to but no practice means no new songs and no chances taken for the most part.

[brywool]

It shows that the band knows it's happening. I'm surprised the haven't front ended their set with the hardest tunes they have to keep the crowd there. Of course, Neal was saying the other day that they hadn't really even practiced to start this tour. I know they don't want to pull Arnel away from his family earlier than they have to but no practice means no new songs and no chances taken for the most part.

The band's on the road constantly. Not sure why they'd need the practice.

[marco17]

It shows that the band knows it's happening. I'm surprised the haven't front ended their set with the hardest tunes they have to keep the crowd there. Of course, Neal was saying the other day that they hadn't really even practiced to start this tour. I know they don't want to pull Arnel away from his family earlier than they have to but no practice means no new songs and no chances taken for the most part.

The band's on the road constantly. Not sure why they'd need the practice.

I think the "practice" reference is to needing to practice any tracks they don't play all the time....

[The Sushi Hunter]

Regardless of how often or not songs are being played, a band always has to practice the materials so everyone in the band is up to date and on the same page with each of the songs. That's a must if playing professionally.

[Don]

It shows that the band knows it's happening. I'm surprised the haven't front ended their set with the hardest tunes they have to keep the crowd there. Of course, Neal was saying the other day that they hadn't really even practiced to start this tour. I know they don't want to pull Arnel away from his family earlier than they have to but no practice means no new songs and no chances taken for the most part.

The band's on the road constantly. Not sure why they'd need the practice.

I took it as Neal explaining why no new songs or lesser known songs from Gens, Arrival,etc. were being played, contrary to what Jon has said earlier about Gens and Eclipse tunes being showcased this part of the tour.