Journey at the M Resort Henderson
Journey - Neal Schon (guitars, backing vocals), Deen Castronovo (drums, percussion, backing vocals), Arnel Pineda (lead vocals), Jonathan Cain (keyboards, backing vocals), and Ross Valory (bass, backing vocals)
Show Rating:
Venue Rating: 
Rated by Phantom Jackass
I’m not going to belabor the point, this is the fourth time I’ve seen Journey, once with Steve Perry, once with Steve Augeri and twice with Arnel Pineda.
Journey is Journey and they are always amazing and put on a first rate show. Before the show Jonathon Cain was in the lobby mixing with fans. The show went on right at 8PM and they played a solid two hour set.
The only distractions were the venue. I was seven rows from the front, so I could see the whites of their eyes onstage. It was outside at the pool, which is huge and inviting, if it were July or August. Instead, it is October and it was 70 degrees with 35MPH winds that blew the suspended speakers and lighting rigs around like wind chimes, blew over chairs and made it too fucking cold to really enjoy the show. Even midway through the set Arnel donned a heavy jacket (see video below).
The other venue negative was the stage was too small to contain Journey—Arnel specifically, who had little-to-no room for his leaping,kicking, twirling and racing.It was like putting an overly rambunctious kitten in a small cardboard box.
There were projection screens on each of the stage, which people were watching and videotaping with their cellphones rather than watching the real thing on stage. Crowds were on balconies at restaurants watching as a full moon loomed overhead.
Otherwise, drummer Deen Castronovo sang two or three songs, which I don’t think I’ve seen before. He has a good range but was a little weak in spots (however, I’m sure maintaining a steady beat while singing has got to be difficult). Jonathon Cain broke out the harmonica and did a solo while Neal Schon played the mandolin.
They started out with Separate Ways and ended with Don’t Stop Believing. Notably missing was Any Way You Want It. People sang along to Lights, Lovin’, Touchin’, Squeezin’ finale (na na na na na) and Don’t Stop. They did not do an encore.
So, bottom line, Journey is Journey and always puts on a helluva great show. However, stay away from outdoor venues when you’re getting into fall and winter.
BTW, I think this was their last, or next to last stop on their summer 2009 tour.
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