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Neal Schon Of Journey Baltimore Show Review

Published

6 years ago

June 18, 2018

Ron

THE GUITAR OF NEAL SCHON KEEPS ON SHREDDING.

I’ve been wanting to see Neal Schon and Journey my whole life, Journey is one of those bands that I haven’t seen yet, and are such a huge part of my life. Neal’s guitar playing still brings back my inter-child.

So that being said I made my way to Royal Farms Arena in Baltimore Maryland, to photograph the legend himself Neal Schon, during Journey and Def Leppard Tour. I was invited by Neal and his wife Michaele Schon to not only get to watch this legend play but also photograph them full set behind the barricade, what a true honor it was.

Neal came out of the gate with Separate Ways, which is one of my all time favorite songs, and wow can this guy play the guitar. Neal plays with such passion and love of the music and crowd. Neal would ask the crowd to pull out their lighters and cell phone lights, for he was about to make this arena gasp with such amazing skills. Neal obviously was about to play Lights.

Neal is a great entertainer as well, playing with the crowd, walking around the catwalk and giving everyone that smile and energy that just makes you feel good. The band as a whole, we’re just a sight needed to be seen in this time of craziness. Open Arms came on and all the emotions poured out, it was a moment of just pure joy.

At one point during the show, Neal had a guitar solo that was just off the chains, very bluesy and just killer shreds. It’s just an awesome experience to get to watch him play and even more gratifying to get to watch him up so close.

Of course it wouldn’t be a Journey Show without Don’t Stop Believing, Faithfully and Wheels in the Sky. The set was over and the band walked off stage, but not before the came back to do one last song for all of us. Ending the night with Anyway you want it, was a perfect ending to a perfect night, there wasn’t anyway I would want it any other way. Journey had some confetti cannons that littered the arena it was just a sight to see.

Anyone who knows me, is aware that I’m a Huge Steve Perry fan, but that being said, Singer Arnel Pineda has definitely earned his way into my heart, playing with such energy and crowd presence, but the hero in my opinion is Neal Schon. Those guitar licks, on all those classic songs are just amazing. While I was in the barricade doing my thing, I got to run into Michaele and what a beautiful and kind woman, showed me nothing but respect and was so thankful for us. This night was a huge highlight of not only my career of doing this music journalism but also a top moment in my life. I can’t wait to get to experience it more often the next time Neal and Journey make it back around.

About Author

Ron

Ron has keen eye for new talent, a love for the underground, and a tremendous passion for music of any genera. You’ll probably bump into him at a horror convention or some seedy club checking out the next need-to-know band.

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Related Topics:Baltimore MD Empire Extreme featured Journey Neal Schon Royal Farms Arena

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Photos

LORD OF THE LOST/Julien K Baltimore

Published

2 months ago

September 16, 2024

Ron

About Author

Ron

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Concert Reviews

GRETA VAN FLEET: Pittsburgh Show Review

Published

6 months ago

May 22, 2024

Shelby Tyce

With a name like the Starcatcher Tour, one can only assume that it would be nothing short of celestial and magical, and I am here to confirm that it was exactly that. The tour, made up of bands Mirador, Geese, and Greta Van Fleet, brought the visual, auditory, and all-around good time. The crowd dressed to the nines, signs for all occasions, and I definitely felt temporarily welcome into the fan club, but enough of that, on to the review.

Mirador kicked off the night, as they should since one half of the band’s frontmen is none other than Jake Kiszka—yes, the same guitarist from our headliner Greta Van Fleet. Alongside Kiszka is Chris Turpin of Surfburst. A newer found project, the duo leans towards the folk rock end of genres, highlighting not only their guitar skills but hints of vocal talent as well. Of course, being a new project makes for a short set list, but it was just the right amount to hype up the crowd up from the beginning. I am excited to see where this group goes, but for now, let’s
move on to Geese.

The Brooklyn-based band Geese takes the stage. Fitting right in with GVF, the band had a decent year for releases last year, releasing their album 3D Country in June of 2023. Followed later by their EP 4D Country in October, adding an additional four songs to the previous album. The band is fronted by Cameron Winter, who led this merry band of musicians through an awesome setlist consisting of some fan favorites, including “Cowboy Nudes” and “2122.” Needless to say, he led a setlist fit for our main act, Greta Van Fleet.

Hailing from Frankenmuth, Michigan, we find Greta Van Fleet. A progressive rock band consisting of three brothers, Josh, Jake, and Sam Kiszka, and close friend Daniel Wagner, who people have said could be this generation’s Rolling Stones or Led Zeppelin. From their fabulous wardrobe of rhinestone suits to their incredible pyrotechnics, the band was certainly able to deliver a spectacular performance. Josh definitely took the lead; from handing out single white roses to taking props and even a shooter of Fireball from a fan, he was definitely made to be a lead vocalist.

Halfway through the performance, we received an absolutely incredible solo drum performance from Wagner, which lasted for at least 5 incredible minutes. This gave the rest of the band time to get out to their satellite stage for the acoustic portion of the show, which included a cover of “Unchained Melody” with a small snippet of “It’s a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood” to pay homage to Mister Rogers.

The guys closed out their performance with a three-song encore, which included the well known “Light My Love” and, in true fashion, ended with “Farewell For Now.”

Overall, the night was fun for all and certainly a top tour so far in my book.

About Author

Shelby Tyce

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Concert Reviews

PRAISE THE LORDS…..FUCK THE REST

Published

6 months ago

May 20, 2024

Ron

LORDS OF ACID ARE BACK ON TOUR AND MADE THEIR WAY INTO DC at the 930 Club. It’s been since 2019 that the Lords toured the US, this time they have the latest edition singer Gigi Ricci.

I have to say Gigi was amazing on stage, such a great performer and entertainer and so personable with the fans and even tho she was a little under the weather and had a sore throat she came out and killed it.

Of course it always awesome to see Praga again and my friend bassist Dietrich Thrall.

Lords of acid played a good mix of albums “Our Little Secret”, “Voodoo-U” “Lust” and “Farstucker”.

This night was even made more super special because we got a Praga set before the lords set which included the Mortal Kombat theme song. I also want to give it up for Trudy who came on the stage with Lords and had GiGi dominate them and spank. Also a quick shoutout to “Sex Bomb Annie” who got tossed into the crowd and took a good licking.