There’s been no shortage of classic pop and rock tours hitting downtown Phoenix in recent weeks. From co-headline tours like Lionel Richie & Earth Wind & Fire, Santana and The Doobie Brothers and a realignment trek by The Guess Who, there’s still plenty of demand to see acts that ruled the radio decades ago. And truth be told, they have never left the airwaves since.
You can count veteran rockers Journey within the pantheon of the radio-friendly greats as well. You know the songs: Wheel In The Sky, Just The Same Way, Any Way You Want It, Who’s Crying Now, and Separate Ways. That’s just for starters, good readers!
For over five decades, Journey has provided the soundtrack for generations of music fans. Formed in San Francisco in 1973 by former members of the aforementioned Santana, the band eventually created a sound that was designed to be enjoyed by the masses. Without any apologies whatsoever.
As many of you reading this know, Journey will be kicking off the final leg of, yes, its final tour (appropriately titled The Final Frontier) on Sept. 12 in Los Angeles. Fortunately for Phoenix fans, that will include a stop here this Tuesday Sept. 15 at Mortgage Matchup Center.
In arguably a rare move for a veteran arena act (at least in recent years), Journey has opted not to have an opening act for its “last hurrah”, so to speak. Hence, it’s being billed as An Evening With Journey, allowing the band to perhaps play a decent amount of obscure songs from its extensive catalog (along with the mega-hits fans expect) that they normally couldn’t play otherwise.
If it ends up being “the final tour” as they claim it’s going to be, they couldn’t have picked a better way to go out… by saying “Thank You” to their loyal fan base with an entire night of Journey music. Good on them for that.
The current incarnation of the band consists of founder and lead guitarist Neal Schon, keyboardist/rhythm guitarist Jonathan Cain, lead vocalist Arnel Pineda, bassist Todd Jensen, drummer Deen Castronovo and second keyboardist Jason Derlatka.
IF YOU GO:
WHAT: An Evening With Journey: The Final Frontier Tour 2026
WHEN: This Tues. Sept. 15 at 7:30 p.m. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
WHERE: Mortgage Matchup Center, 201 E. Jefferson St. in downtown Phoenix.
TICKETS: Available at ticketmaster.com and journeymusic.com. Prices range between $60.00-$270.00.
