Auburn Hills, Michigan
Palace of Auburn Hills
October 10th, 1998

Set list sent to me by Dan Benfield:

Separate Ways/Worlds Apart, Can't Tame The Lion, Only The Young, Stone in Love, Castles Burning, Send Her My Love, Lights, a musical interlude includeing Of A Lifetime, Who's Crying Now, I'll Be Alright Without You, Love Theme From Spartucus, Open Arms, a cool instrumental by Neal and Jonathan, Just The Same Way, Anytime, Remember Me, One More, Escape, Wheel In The Sky, Be Good To Yourself, Anyway You Want It, and Lovin' Touchin' Squeezin'. First Encore: Faithfully and Don't Stop Believen'. Second Encore: Ask The Lonely.

Jim Bernard:

I just got back from Journey's Auburn Hills show outside Detroit. It wasn't quite sold out but it was full. It was a great show. The crowd was really into the show. They gave a warm welcome to Steve Augeri. They band did a great job with the music. For me it was unbelievable.

Matt Mancani:

These guys rocked!!!

The show lasted a little over 2 hours and they played non-stop!!!

They started playing the beginning from Message of Love and broke into Separate Ways to open the show.

I was 3rd row center (Ross was only 10 feet from me). Ross seemed really excited about playing live and I thought the drum set was going to collapse because Deen was beating the crap out of them.

Jonathon and Neal were both sensational!!! Jonathon played guitar on a few songs.

The sound was incredible!!! Everything blended beautifully!!!

Steve Augeri sounded excellent on all songs. On the news the night before they played When You Love a Woman during sound check. I would have liked to see them play that as well as Girl Can't Help It (a personal favorite).

Here is the rest of the songs (not in order): Separate Ways (opening), Just the Same Way, Feeling that Way, Anytime, Any Way You Want It, Lights, Lovin', Touchin', Squeezin', Escape, Wheel in the Sky, Stone in Love, Who's Crying Now, Open Arms, Send Her My Love, Only the Young, Be Good to Yourself, I'll be Alright Without You, One More, Castles Burning, Can't Tame the Lion, Remember Me 1st encore Faithfully, Don't Stop Believin' 2nd encore Ask The Lonely.

I wanted to go and see them in Grand Rapids the next night. I maybe in Florida in Fort Lauderdale when they arrive and I'm hoping to go again.

Unfortunately the Palace wasn't sold out because of no Steve Perry. I think that after people hear the new singer, they will accept him. This is kinda like the Van Halen problem With Gary Cherone.

The Palace allowed Cameras at the concert but I didn't bring one. I would've had wonderful shots from my seat.

Leppard:

I just got back from the concert in Detroit. It was actually at the Palace in Auburn Hills but close enough. Anyhow.

They played pretty good. The new singer sounds almost exactly like Steve Perry but he acts a bit strange. Oh well...can't have everything.

One thing I didn't like was this useless screen they put up behind the drummer. It distracted more than anything. On it they flashed some silly lights that did not do anything for me. They had a real lame light show that blinded the audience more then anything.

The concert was no where close to selling out. In fact, if it sold halfway out I'd be impressed and shocked. There were ALOT of empty seats left.

One thing I HATE is when a band prematurely finishes playing and the crowd has to "Encore" them back just to finish out their set in the first place. This happened twice tonite. It happened with R.E.O. Speedwagon and I was disappointed with their concert as well.

The bass guy seemed to be running the show. He seemed more interested in telling his roadies what to do instead of just playing and having a good time. I'd rather have a band make a few screw ups musically and have good time then have a band play the songs exactly like the album and look like robots. That is, after all, the reason I go to concerts. To get something extra that you can't get off an album.

The guitarist and the drummer rocked all night. The guitarist played nonstop for 2 hours. VERY impressive. The new drummer didn't miss a beat either. The singer had about 4 miscues. Forgivable because it's live. The keyboardist seemed almost as uptight as the bassist. They all played well though and sounded excellent as far as that goes.

They would have done better to cut out the more obscure tracks and concentrate on the hits. But I guess those might be in there for the real die hard fans. A bit boring for someone like myself but hey, I got to hear the hits I wanted, I just had to drudge through some songs I'm not familiar with.

All in all it was a good concert. One thing they could do was turn down the damn air conditioning. WAY to cold. It was warmer outside then inside and this is Michigan in October.

To sum up: The music was great, the band needed to entertain more, and a warm up band couldn't hurt. For $25 bucks though to see a great band like Journey I guess it seemed worth it. Oh yeah...the women out numbered the men by a great deal. To bad I brought a date.

David Day:

And so... my wife and I went to the Palace of Auburn Hills on October 10 to see Journey in concert. We pondered many things on our 2 hour drive there from Toledo, Ohio. Was Journey truely back? Or was this a cheap reunion-type tour that other bands have attempted. How could Journey continue without Steve Perry? Who in the world could ever sing like him? The crowd was 65% over age 35, and certainly seemed to be wondering what they were going to see, just as I was. It all felt so strange. How would this older crowd react?

There was no warm-up act. The lights went down about 15 minutes late. The concert went real smooth. It was well planned. The song selections were carefully planned so that there was a nice mix of old and new. No one was disappointed, all of the favorites were played. The sound was good, the energy was good and the light show was superb. Steve Augeri did not try to "be Steve Perry", and I really appreciated that. Journey's new singer just tried to have fun and did indeed have the voice for Journey. It really ended up being a terrific concert. Yes- Journey IS back and you really shouldn't miss it!

Nancy Cheladyn:

Saw Journey on the 10th at the Palace of Auburn Hills (Detroit, MI) - it was one of the best concerts I'd ever been to.

The "new" Steve sounded amazingly like Steve Perry up to the point he sang "Who's Crying Now". Then, you definitely knew that it was not the original Steve singing the song. But, I have to say that as a major Steve Perry fan, I appreciated that Steven did not try to come off as Steve Perry - his voice, in its own right, is fantastic and he's got a great stage presence.

Neal, as always, was spectacular as was the rest of the group. It was truly a great night. The crowd was so into the music and the group. The band seemed genuinely moved at the crowd's response and reaction. And, I don't think I ever heard a louder crowd demand for an encore. At one point, Jonathan Cain announced "we knew coming to Detroit would be a party, but we had no idea it'd be this great of a party". At 35, my friends and I were "middle-aged" in the crowd. We sat next to 3 18 year old guys and saw some kids who looked to be 8 or 9. What a tribute to the group - that their music is so influential it spans decades.

I read at another site that the concert was not well promoted and I agree. I only (thank goodness) heard one announcement on a soft-rock station that I just happened on as I was flipping channels. I think that they could have sold out had it been better promoted. And that's just the Detroit concert. Had we known they were going to be in Grand Rapids the next day, we'd of gone to that concert too. I definitely plan on staying more up on things through the internet. Also, I heard several complaints that the fact Steve Perry was not on tour with the group was not included in the advertisements. I disagree as I knew when they read off the names in the one commerical I did hear that while they said "Steve" "someone", I knew it wasn't "Perry".

Cindi Hinds:

WOW! That is how I would describe the opening concert at the Palace of Auburn Hills. The band was elastic with energy, and the new lead singer is wonderful. I hope Steve Perry is doing ok. Every song was well recieved by the mostly 30 and up crowd. About 6 songs for a double oncore. I have waited a long time for my first Journey concert (I am 37) and I was so glad for the treat I got. Neil and the boys-our hat's are off to you. Pure musical magic and entertainment, not one bad song, not one missing favorite either. I can't wait for another new album!!! Go out and see these guys-it's worth the ticket!

Nick Pappas:

Steve, I have to say first that that show was my first Journey concert, so i never saw the band with Steve on vocals. Aside from that, Steve Augurrie was SOLID! The set included new and old material from every album. If anyone has any doubts about weather Journey is back, go to a show in your town and your doubts will be ERASED! The entire band was excellent, and Jonathan Cain's vocals on "Just The Same way" and "Anytime" were great! I know you already have the set list, so I won't list the tracks again. Dean Costernavo only played a single bass pedal but you probably won't be able to tell, I mean, he was solid as well. So again, if the band comes to your town, go check them out! Even "true" Journey fans won't be dissapponted, like myself! And lastly, Steve, THANK YOU FOR CREATING THIS PAGE! It helps a great deal! Sincerley,