Iconic Rockers Bring The Final Frontier To Moody Center On March 31st

All Live Photos By Thomas Coffman/Coffman Rock Shots
Band Photo Credit: Brian Ach

When considering bands worth seeing time and again, JOURNEY unquestionably belongs at the top of the list.

A cornerstone of rock history, JOURNEY has remained a powerful presence in the music world for decades. Guided by Neal Schon since the mid-1970s, the band has weathered numerous lineup changes while continuing to evolve and stay relevant.

That evolution took a remarkable turn in 2007, when Schon discovered Arnel Pineda on YouTube—a decision that reshaped the band’s future. Pineda has since held the role of frontman with passion and dedication.

The evening opened with “Be Good to Yourself,” seamlessly transitioning into the fan-favorite “Stone in Love,” followed by “Ask the Lonely.” From there, the band delivered an expansive 27-song setlist that showcased the depth of their catalog. Though there were a few newer members I wasn’t familiar with, the overall musicianship remained strong and cohesive.

With such an extensive list of hits, the audience responded with palpable excitement—cheers erupting within seconds of recognizable intros. It’s a testament to the band’s enduring impact.

One notable difference in this performance was the use of three vocalists—something I hadn’t experienced at a JOURNEY show before, where typically two share the spotlight. Arnel Pineda handled lead vocals, while drummer Deen Castronovo stepped forward for several songs, and second keyboardist Jason Derlatka also took turns at the mic. While Derlatka is undeniably talented, his vocal tone felt slightly out of place within the band’s signature sound.

Neal Schon, as always, was exceptional. His guitar work remains precise, expressive, and consistently captivating—arguably making him one of the most underrated guitarists of his generation.

Deen Castronovo delivered a standout performance on drums, combining technical skill with impressive vocal ability. His drum solo was a highlight of the night, energizing the entire crowd.

As for Arnel Pineda, his performance was a mix of brilliance and challenge. At times, he sounded phenomenal; at others, he appeared to struggle slightly. That said, stepping into the legacy of Steve Perry is no small feat, and Pineda deserves credit for carrying that weight. Songs like “Escape,” “Wanted Dead or Alive,” and “Chain Reaction” were particularly strong moments in the set.

Overall, the show was enjoyable and certainly worth attending—especially if this truly marks the band’s “Final Frontier.” While it didn’t quite reach the heights of past performances I’ve experienced, it was still a solid outing. More than anything, it felt like a privilege to witness and capture a band whose legacy continues to resonate across generations.

Remaining Final Frontier Tour Dates:

April 3: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma – Paycom Center
April 4: Wichita, Kansas – INTRUST Bank Arena
April 6: Sioux Falls, South Dakota – Denny Sanford PREMIER Center
April 8: Des Moines, Iowa – Casey’s Center
April 9: Lincoln, Nebraska – Pinnacle Bank Arena
April 12: Salt Lake City, Utah – Delta Center
April 14: Boise, Idaho – ExtraMile Arena
April 15: Spokane, Washington – Spokane Arena
April 17: Vancouver, British Columbia – Pacific Coliseum
April 19: Eugene, Oregon – Matthew Knight Arena
April 21: Sacramento, California – Golden 1 Center
April 22: Bakersfield, California – Dignity Health Arena
April 24: Fresno, California – Save Mart Center at Fresno State
May 15: Tampa, Florida – Benchmark International Arena
May 16: Jacksonville, Florida – VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena
May 18: Columbia, South Carolina – Colonial Life Arena
May 20: Charlotte, North Carolina – Spectrum Center
May 21: Greensboro, North Carolina – First Horizon Coliseum
May 23: Atlantic City, New Jersey – Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall
May 27: State College, Pennsylvania – Bryce Jordan Center
May 28: Charlottesville, Virginia – John Paul Jones Arena
May 30: Knoxville, Tennessee – Food City Center
May 31: Savannah, Georgia – Enmarket Arena
June 3: Hampton, Virginia – Hampton Coliseum
June 4: Roanoke, Virginia – Berglund Center Coliseum
June 6: Worcester, Massachusetts – DCU Center
June 7: Manchester, New Hampshire – SNHU Arena
June 10: Buffalo, New York – KeyBank Center
June 11: Allentown, Pennsylvania – PPL Center
June 13: Cincinnati, Ohio – Heritage Bank Center
June 14: Grand Rapids, Michigan – Van Andel Arena
June 17: Evansville, Indiana – Ford Center
June 18: Fort Wayne, Indiana – Allen County War Memorial Coliseum
June 20: Champaign, Illinois – State Farm Center
June 21: Green Bay, Wisconsin – Resch Center
June 24: Moline, Illinois – Vibrant Arena at the MARK
June 25: Springfield, Missouri – Great Southern Bank Arena
June 27: Tupelo, Mississippi – Cadence Bank Arena
June 28: Lafayette, Louisiana – Cajundome
July 1: Corpus Christi, Texas – Hilliard Center
July 2: Laredo, Texas – Sames Auto Arena