Rock legends Journey sell out T-Mobile Center in their final Kansas City performance

March 28, 2026

Ethan Sympson, Jason Colvin,

Journey. // photo by Ethan Sympson

On March 26, Journey brought their “Final Frontier” tour to T-Mobile Center for fans of all ages to enjoy an epic evening of classic arena rock. With no opening act for the show the evening was an opportunity for fans to get a full night of the band’s legendary music.

In the depths of space a countdown until show start time filled the large screen at back of the stage. The crowd filled into their seats ready to hear a career spanning set for possibly the last time. The countdown disappeared at around thirty seconds to go and the lights went down as The Who’s “Baba O’Riley’ cranked out through the arena. The bright image of space on the screen began to morph until the well know iconic winged scarab Journey logo was now hovering behind the stage. The band took to the stage and kicked the show off with “Be Good to Yourself” from the 1986 double platinum album Raised on Radio.

A band that has seen many line up changes over the course of their fifty plus year career commanded the stage from the moment they started. The current line up performing on the tour was Neal Schon on guitars (the last remaining original member); Jonathan Cain on keyboard, piano, guitar vocals; Deen Castronovo on drums and vocals; Jason Derlatka on keyboards and vocals; Todd Jensen on bass; and Arnel Pineda on lead vocals.

Quickly into the first song, Pineda requested to hear from the fans in Kansas City. With yells of excitement and energy, the response was overwhelming as the T-Mobile center erupted. From that moment on, the energy from the band and crowd never let up. Pineda moved from stage right to left engaging the crowd, making sure every fan was a part of the show. Fueled by the intensity through the arena it was not long before Schon broke out into his first of many powerful guitar solos. Like a song within the song his guitar solos feature complex, fast-paced pentatonic licks while balancing a strong emphasis on melody. His leads sing through precise half-step bends and expressive vibrato. He is a guitarist that takes his talent on the instrument to another level when playing live.

As they launched into the second song of the night, the radio staple “Stone in Love” from the band’s most successful studio album, Escape, Pineda was right back at it getting everyone to clap their hands along to the rhythm. When he was on stage he never stopped engaging the fans while performing. His stage presence was just as moving as his vocal performance through the night. Through the set other band members took on lead vocals as well. By the fourth song Cain and Castronovo shared lead vocals. Before the next song Cain took a moment to thank the audience for all their support over the years as they had changed and evolved. He then introduced Derlatka who masterfully took the lead vocals on “Girl Can’t Help It” while playing the keyboard. For the next song Castronovo took the lead vocals while drumming for “Lights.” It was a three song moment of the set that displayed the vast amount of talent the current line up could deliver to these classic rock staples.

Through the set that continued to pull from rock and roll iconic albums Infinity, Frontiers, Departure, Evolution and Trial by Fire the band played hits as fans sang along to life defining choruses. During many of the songs the band took the opportunity to turn them into jam sessions lead by Schon’s epic guitar solos. Cain provided a beautiful piano solo that sent chills through the arena and excited the crowd when he would tease keys from the next song up “Who’s Crying Now.” The stage lights provided the show with a visual rock aesthetic and the large LCD screens showed the musical icons masterful performances through use of video. There was not a seat in the arena that was not getting to experience this show of a lifetime. During the extended jam session for “Wheel in the Sky” flames shot out around the stage while the screens where filled with a volcanic landscape from a planet from a distant galaxy. The fans were indeed on a fiery journey through the bands musical talents.

Cain brought us all back home when he addressed the audience reminding us all of our Nation’s 250^th birthday being celebrated this year. He took the time to thank and appreciate all the those who have served our country through all the years. “This song is for those who have served to protect something greater than themselves…to protect our country for the past 250 years,” he said as the band went into an emotionally powerful performance of the hit song “Faithfully.”

Through more classic hits Cain, Castronovo, and Derlatka again took turns taking over lead vocals. Pineda retuned to the stage to take back over lead vocals for the band’s biggest US Billboard Hot 100 hit, “Open Arms.” Pineda’s emotive vocals were perfect as he hit all the soft verses and belted out the high notes that former vocalist Steve Perry used to make the song such a powerful love ballad n the past. The band continued to jam through “Lovin’, Touchin’, Squeezin’” and “La Do Da” leading into a killer drum solo from Castronovo. As flames again shot up around the stage his sticks were like matches setting the drums a blaze. The solo on his large expansive setup brought a well deserved standing ovation from the fans.

As the night was coming to a close, the band finished off the twenty-seven song set with three of their top classic rock hits “Separate Ways (Worlds Apart),” “Any Way You Want It,” and “Don’t Stop Believin’” With each song, the energy of the arena matched that of the band as they jammed out the final songs. Pineda continued to cover the stage getting every fan engaged in the excitement. Like he had throughout the night, he got the fans singing along, even taking over the vocals at times. He jumped around the stage, twirling and throwing up his mic stand catching it and seamlessly returning to his vocals. At one point he went down off the stage to the gate barrier as he sang while hugging and giving out high-fives to the fans.

When the final song of the arena rock journey came to an end, multi-colored confetti and streamers showered the crowd as they applauded and yelled in thunderous approval. Journey had reminded everyone in attendance why they are Rock and Roll Hall of Fame icons.

All photos by Ethan Sympson

Journey setlist
Be Good to Yourself
Stone in Love
Ask the Lonely
Just the Same Way (Jonathan Cain & Deen Castronovo on lead vocals)
Girl Can’t Help It (Jason Derlatka on lead vocals)
Lights (Deen Castronovo on lead vocals)
When You Love a Woman
Escape
Edge of the Blade
Dead or Alive
Piano Solo
Who’s Crying Now (With extended outro)
Only the Young
Guitar Solo
Wheel in the Sky (With extended jam/pyro)
Faithfully
Feeling That Way (Jonathan Cain & Deen Castronovo on lead vocals)
Anytime (Jonathan Cain & Deen Castronovo on lead vocals)
Where Were You (Deen Castronovo on lead vocals)
I’ll Be Alright Without You (Jason Derlatka on lead vocals)
Open Arms
Lovin’, Touchin’, Squeezin’ (with extended blues jam)
La Do Da
Drum Solo
Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)
Any Way You Want It
Don’t Stop Believin’