Journey
May 18, 2026
Columbia, SC
Colonial Life Arena
Review by Joseph Hett

Journey Delivers Career-Spanning Set In Columbia

Timeless rock band Journey returned to the Colonial Life Arena in Columbia as part of the historic Final Frontier Tour. They promised an evening filled with hits and deep cuts, and that’s exactly what they delivered.

The arena filled up as a countdown clock appeared on the huge screens, counting down from 30 minutes. Different classic rock songs played to get everyone warmed up for what was to come.

It was game time when The Who’s “Baba O’Riley” was cranked up over the PA system. Neal Schon (lead guitar), Jonathan Cain (keyboards, rhythm guitar, vocals), Arnel Pineda (lead vocals), Deen Castronovo (drums, vocals), Jason Derlatka (keyboards, vocals) and Todd Jensen (bass guitar) entered the stage.

They started with “Be Good to Yourself” from 1986’s “Raised on Radio” album. They continued with “Stone in Love” and “Ask the Lonely.”

Cain welcomed everyone before sharing lead vocals with Castronovo on “Just the Same Way.”

Derlatka took over lead vocals with “Girl Can’t Help It.” Later in the set, he also conquered “Of a Lifetime” and “Suzanne.”

The tattooed Castronovo nailed the vocals on “Lights.” He made singing and playing the drums at the same time look easy. The arena lit up with lights from all of the cell phones. Castronovo also showcased his vocal talents later with “Keep on Runnin’.”

“La Do Da” was a hard-rocking masterpiece that even featured the riff snippet of “How Many More Times” by Led Zeppelin. It ended with a monster drum solo by Castronovo.

Cain’s last chance to sing lead was for “Anytime.” Afterwards, Cain performed a solo on his signature red piano. It then transitioned into “Who’s Crying Now” with the full band.

Pineda really let loose on the power ballad “Open Arms.” Pineda kept the energy high by darting around the stage, all while keeping his vocals spot on. When others took over lead vocals, Pineda took a well-deserved break by playing tambourine at the back of the stage or by leaving the stage completely.

It was time for the highly anticipated solo by the guitar virtuoso. Schon took us all on a psychedelic ride.

It was now approaching the part of the set where every song would be iconic. Pineda randomly appeared at the back of the arena to start “Wheel in the Sky,” before making his way back on the side of the arena floor while greeting fans. Cain wore a #26 Carolina hockey jersey for a pop from the crowd. Flames soon erupted from the stage, heating up the arena even further.

Before “Faithfully,” Cain said the song was “dedicated to the men and women who served in our armed forces. To the families who stand faithfully beside them, especially right here in Fort Jackson. This song is for you.”

They called in the heavy hitters with: “Don’t Stop Believin’,”“Lovin’, Touchin’, Squeezin’” and
“Separate Ways (Worlds Apart).” Streamers and confetti rained down for the set closer, “Any Way You Want It.”

The sold-out arena loved every minute of the two-hour-and-25-minute show. You can’t beat a high-quality arena rock show these days. Their performance was so strong it momentarily overshadowed any behind-the-scenes drama often associated with the band in recent years.

In late 2025, the Final Frontier Tour was announced as what appeared to be a farewell tour. More dates have just been announced running through November 2026. If this is it for Journey, ending it in the “city by the bay” would be fitting.