Despite having been rained out of their initial scheduled performance date of March 5th, both the skies and energy were absolutely perfect for Journey and Steve Miller Band’s return to Austin on March 29, 2015 at the Austin360 Amphitheater (Circuit of the Americas).
Beginning at 6:45, Houston’s The Mighty Orq took the stage for a brief opening set before Steve Miller Band and Journey came on to fill the Texas skies with classic hits. Neither band disappointed, delivering sets designed to satisfy their fans. Each performed some of the most iconic songs in rock ‘n’ roll history, with Miller‘s “Fly Like an Eagle” and Journey‘s “Don’t Stop Believin’.” While some of the artists have most undoubtedly aged physically, their energy was spot on to match the agelessness of their music.
Each act had an entirely differently style and feel yet contrasted beautifully. Whereas the Steve Miller Bandhad a laid back psychedelic bluesy vibe, Journey delivered a classic, high energy rock performance with lead vocalist Arnel Pineda’s soaring vocals, Neil Schon’s spirited guitar solos and confetti cannons. Pineda put on a show of his own, constantly moving, jumping, flipping his microphone, and interacting with the crowd. Despite what some may critique as a karaoke style performance, Pineda proved quite the incredible showman, successfully filling the shoes once worn by original vocalist Steve Perry.
For both the fans that grew up with these songs and for those who came to appreciate these classics decades later, this concert fully delivered and proved an amazing opening to the Austin360 Amphitheaterconcert season.
Steve Miller Band Setlist:
Jungle Love
Take the Money and Run
Abracadabra
Sugar Babe
Space Cowboy
Serenade
The Stake
Shu Ba Da Du Ma Ma Ma Ma
True Fine Love
Dance Dance Dance
The Joker
Space Intro
Fly Like an Eagle
Swingtown
Rock’n Me
Encore: Living in the U.S.A. / Jet Airliner
Journey Setlist:
Any Way You Want It
Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)
Be Good to Yourself
City of Hope
Open Arms
Only the Young
Guitar Solo
Stone in Love
Lights
Mother, Father
Piano Solo
Who’s Crying Now
Escape
La Do Da
Guitar Solo
Wheel in the Sky
Faithfully
Don’t Stop Believin’
Encore: Lovin’, Touchin’, Squeezin’