JOURNEY - LIVE AT THE MAVERIK CENTER
For as long as I can remember, my dad fed me with rock music from years before me. I was listening to Linkin Park every day coming home from kindergarten, he always had Iron Maiden playing when he drove, and he was the one to introduce me to Journey and Toto. I don’t always get the opportunity to review, shoot or even just watch my favorite bands live, as they’re not together or have passed, but on March 15th, I was insanely blessed with a comped ticket to review the set of Journey on their US Freedom Tour, at the Maverik Center in West Valley City, Utah. My love for music grew tenfold when I was originally introduced to these bands, and only continued to grow as I sat and watched them perform on stage.
I arrived a bit late to Toto’s set, finding parking was remarkably hard with how packed the venue was. When I arrived, they started “I’ll Be Over You”, the 5th song of their setlist. I was immediately blown away by how incredible they sounded live, so similar to the sound on their records. I’m not sure how many younger people in the crowd knew Toto, but the adults around me sure did and listening to them sing along was almost surreal. Those around me were around my parents age, and it instilled the fact that a love for music never dwindles as we grow. Toto then played a cover of “With A Little Help From My Friends” by The Beatles (another beloved band in my music library). The cover was truly a lovely sight to witness, but the follow up of “Rosanna” and “Africa” were what made my night. My two favorite songs, as well as their most known, and every person in the venue sang along with them.
Journey, consisting of Arnel Pineda (Lead Vocals), Neal Shon (Lead Guitar, and last remaining original member), Todd Jensen (Bass), Jonathan Cain (keyboardist/guitarist/vocalist), Jason Derlatka (keyboardist/vocalist), and Deen Castronovo (drummer/vocalist), then came on stage, the crowd exploding into uproar as they appeared. I waited in deep anticipation between the sets, even walking away from my seat to get my jitters out. While I had to leave the show early, due to an emergency at home, I witnessed what I now consider my favorite show of 2024. After a lifetime of loving the group, I was in awe the entire time. They started the show with a bang, “Only the Young” blasting through the speakers and followed by an insane guitar solo by Neal. They continued with one of their top songs of all time, “Don’t Stop Believin”, the entire venue singing along loud and proud.
The energy of the entire show was electric, and nonstop. The lights, and screen behind them showing graphics and camera views, added to the incredible feel. You could not pay me any amount of money to wipe the massive smile off my face. I stayed at the show to see a number of other songs, including “Send Her My Love”, “Ask The Lonely”, and “Feeling That Way”. I recorded a few on my phone, and the small camera I brought along, ready to relay them all to my father who was unfortunately out of country, unable to witness some of our favorite bands with me.
Journey, and Toto, blew my mind completely away with the show. While I missed “Any Way You Want It” and “Separate Ways”, two of my all time favorite Journey songs, I will never forget the rest of the show I was in attendance for. A bucket list show for sure, and one I very highly recommend everyone to spend the money on. You will not be disappointed seeing these classic bands, and will certainly regret missing this opportunity.
