After having our tickets checked by the attendant we walked inside the showroom lobby where the concertgoers were happily talking to each other, comparing notes about latest in their idols' happenings and some were looking into many Journey souvenir items like t-shirts, posters, CD albums, canvas bags and even key chains. If you noticed Nette and I wore black attire, sabi nga kasi ni Nette pang-rock ang mga ito. And she was right, there were many wearing black, some of them even with the Revelation CD graphics which I have one having given two of them to two my friends in Manila together with the CDs of which I had bought 10 already. Still waiting for us to enter thru the main door, we saw the group of 20 persons as part of the "Meet And Greet 5 Star/4 Star" ticket holders. These fans paid $350 and 250 each just to see, meet and pose for pictures with the Journey members in a room just besides the hall, before the show started. In fact, a wall to our left only divided Arnel and us and still we cannot give him our thank you card. We felt hopeless about it. Hopeless more so because in front of the door was burly and well-muscled security guard, i think he's Indian, who looks like the very tall villain in the James Bond movie, guarding against any neurotic or hyper-ecstatic or just plain drunk fans who might enter and hurt any of the band members or even Arnel. I said this because there are Steve Perry fans who believe nobody, even if he's better than SP, has the right to be the lead singer. Arnel (AP) have proven he can on the many European and US concerts and tonight he'll sure prove it again. Even if both singers have P (for Power) in their names, A is first to S's voice. Finally, we were ushered to our seats. And we couldn't believe we were to be so near Arnel and yet so far, but, that where we were was more good enough for us.
Now, another waiting starts. We were seated to the right side of the stage at around 7:15 pm for a show to begin at 8 pm. Well we thought that's a short time to wait, a short time to look around as fans continue to enter and take notice of the different and diverse kind of the new Journey band audience. And they range from the very young to the old, male and female gender (but I'm sure I'm right there many of the latter), and the sosyal and jolo crowd. But, everybody were finally getting along, except for some who found their seats a little nearer than what's printed on their tcikets. Kung makakalusot lang! (I know what you're thinking. They were not Pinoys!) Still no Journey but there lots of other rock group music coming out of the speakers as 15 minutes pass 8 pm and the hall wasn't filled and the concert was supposed to be sold-out. (with half of the seats empty?). But about 8:20 people started to fill in and some were whistling for the show to start. The stage and band hands came out making final sound, lights and equipment checks. The mikes, guitars and drums were ready.
The other rock music stopped and on the two big video screens the band members were shown giving high fives and walking from the backstage to the main stage and the audience made a wild roar, loud whistling and hand clapping all at the same time. It even became wilder and louder when the band started playing their first song and when Arnel hit the first note, the audience stood up, so we stood up also, and from then on we didn't seat down for more 5 minutes. So I said to myself, this is American Rock and Roll, not like the last R&R concert of Blood, Sweat and Tears at Araneta Coliseum during the 1970's. Where I would have thought nobody was watching because I was seated in the general admission, the seats almost empty and hardly no loud cheering I can feel my knees click! The band had to tell us to come down and seat nearer to the stage! But, Arnel Pineda had the audience in the palm of his hands and he could do whatever he wants to by the mere sound of his powerful voice. Into the third song the sound was awful--it was either too loud or under mixed that tended to drown out AP's voice. After more and continuous loud cheer from the audience did the sound got better, the sound man might have finally got over the pina colada he had or else not get paid after the concert! Hehehe! The band performed their Dirty Dozen hit songs and new songs and 3 or 4 songs from their other albums with the trademark Journey sound. And Arnel rendered his own version of what Neal Schon was looking for a lead singer, the legacy sound. Not the SP sound! (I'll add the set list when I find them). But I'm sure the we went nuts over songs like; After All These Years (AATY), OA (Open Arms), Faithfully (F), Don't Stop Believing (DSB), Separate Ways (SW), Wheels In The Sky (WITS) and Only The Young (OTY).
Arnel was in his usual self, bouncing around, jumping from the drum riser, doing his trademark microphone pumping action and running to the left side of the stage to the right side just so the audience can see his face which made them cheer even louder. The Pinoys best cheered when he said:"Mabuhay!" and "See You Again, Teme-cula!" at the end of the show. Well, as for the band, they performed and sung just like in their studio sound, only more LIVELIER and fuller. They were all pro together with Arnel. Neal Schon, the lead guitarist and ex-Santana co-founder, played it as if his hands were on fire, and the one most jammed along with Arnel. Just as Arnel has that souring tenor, Neal's guitar was equally soaring and even weeping at one time. Ross Valory, the 59 year old base guitarist, was perfectly on the spot that his duh, duh plucking is felt strongly as if it's the viewers' heart. Ross was funny to watch, he's always making faces with the audience and the second one whom Arnel also jams along. Jonathan Cain, on the keyboard and composer, plays like a classical pianist and a bluegrass harmonica player. Together with Neal and Ross playing their guitars was a sight to see and hear. Deen Castronovo, the drummer, was not to be left out. Because with his energetic and very timely playing and also with his higher than Pineda's already high solo voice, there wouldn't be the present Journey sound than is a lot better musically than the other versions.
We had the time of our lives, with all the non-stop shouting, howling and singing-along with Arnel and the band. We waved our hands, swayed our hips (later on it didn't take long for Nette to be dancing along also). As for me, I was hitting my imaginary drum set just like Deen's and singing-along Arnel (only with a LOWER key)! Hehehe. The other older fans had a blast too when Journey sung 2 two songs which I don't know the titles and they seems like they were the ones singing them together the swaying of the hands and the full open mouths that says: "I know this song." There were poignant moments during the show. One of them was a couple in the front row kissing each other, also a couple to my right in a locked hug, while Arnel sung AATY with all the emotions only he or anybody who have felt what's in the beautiful lyrics and music score. Of course, one couple did the same when "Faithfully" was sung. And that couple was us. I gave Nette a kiss that she was surprise that I would do in public. Well, there's a;ways a first time. Even if it's in a rock concert. And true, this is our FIRST ROCK CONCERT! And as they say also, we will cherish the love--and togetherness and feeling of joy.
The band performed more solos, like that of Deen's 'Mother, Father", two by Neal Schon's and Ross Valory's and one by Jonathan. which I though was usual because in their other venues Arnel carried most of the belting. As the show neared the finally encore, we noticed that he was tired and his voice was flat in some of the songs and also the members particularly Deen who I heard missed a beat but was able to catch up. This maybe because they have 2 back to back shows at the Greek Theater in Los Angeles the nights before this. But, they always give their all and we weren't disappointed at all. And it was more than what they were advertised. It wasn't all You Tube hype. They were real and basically don't need front acts. I only wish the stage was bigger for more room for Arnel to do his thing. I do wish a lot, huh? You'd say "One wish at a time muna." The show ended at almost 10:30. And I believe they performed for two hours. By this time Nette and I were half deaf and whenever I tell her something she couldn't hear me because of the very loud sound coming from those enormous speakers just 10 feet to our left.
What wasn't advertised was that Arnel was sick with fever that night. And still was able to sound as if he was still singing three sets at Hard Rock Cafe Manila, at Bagaberde and the Gapo. It was confirmed for us that he wasn't his normal self during the final bow when he uttered hoarsely so:"Not bad for a sick boy!" Wow! Boy! If I were to get sick and sound and act like him, I'd wouldn't mind it at all. I'd rather be sick for a month than be at work five days a week. Then they bid goodbye, Neal and Jonathan throwing guitar picks at the audience and Deen throwing a couple pair of his drum sticks, too. And we gave them a standing, standing only ovation, clapping our hand that I can feel that my palm hardening that they were almost callous already. And they walked back towards the backstage. But, we wouldn't let them go and continue shouting, cheering and clapping for a good 90 seconds until they came back with an encore of SP's "Touchin, Squeezin' N Lovin' which was the most fun and sad part of the show. Fun, because the fans were really having a great time with Boys. Sad, because of me knowing that Arnel wasn't feeling well and I felt guilty to think what's with him why he didn't even bother to answer my messages and texts. And that it will take another two seasons till we get to see him, that time I hope, personally. All I can say is well done boys. You made me very happy not just for a night but for more days to come.
Note: I sorry I didn't have many pictures of the concert because cameras weren't allowed. But, I did get some videos and sounds for home viewing only. My posts are also subject to addition and/or omission as memory becomes clearer as time goes by. So check it back if you like. Thank you.
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