Journey can't stop delivering the goods in concert, but the band basically has to keep most of the same members from the past 20 years. That includes vocalist Arnel Pineda, who seemingly has no wish to keep signing but has to.
The issue stems from a recent report that Pineda tried to quit the band multiple times and was afraid his voice wouldn't hold up to a new tour, but the band apparently ignored his request to quit. That is according to Rolling Stone, which tends to know well about what they write.
Pineda states he told people involved with the band that he wasn't sure a new tour was being planned, but needed to find out. He was going through personal issues, including a divorce, and he simply didn't know if he was ready emotionally to hit the road and sing songs to hundreds of thousands of fans.
Journey keeps touring because they simply have to
He even wrote a resignation letter, but no one ever responded. One clear reason exists for that: The band has to take Pineda on the road according to their contract with AEG, the company that produces many huge tours. Even if the rest of the band wanted to do shows, they seemingly couldn't have without their lead singer since 2007.
In other words, money speaks, and AEG had money tied up in what would happen in a new Journey tour, one that is currently underway and being called the group's farewell shows, so what transpired, the band had no control over. They had chosen to sign a contract with AEG, and that is the way it was.
As for recent reports that Journey co-founder Neal Schon wasn't aware that Arnel Pineda wanted to quit, he clarified in the Rolling Stone article that even if he had known, there was nothing he could have done.
Schon said, "For clarity, no one was ever prevented by me from making their own personal decisions. At the same time, we were all advised by our representatives that there are contractual obligations tied to touring that need to be honored."
Pineda's vocal issues have caused the band to adjust how it does shows a bit. On a half-dozen songs, others have taken lead vocals, including tunes earlier in the show. Since he has to play his part, at least Journey is being smart about his involvement.
Journey's remaining 2026 tour dates:
- April 6 - Sioux Falls, SD @ Denny Sanford PREMIER Center
- April 8 - Des Moines, IA @ CASEY’S CENTER
- April 9 - Lincoln, NE @ Pinnacle Bank Arena
- April 12 - Salt Lake City, UT @ Delta Center
- April 14 - Boise, ID @ ExtraMile Arena
- April 15 - Spokane, WA @ Spokane Arena
- April 17 - Vancouver, BC @ Pacific Coliseum
- April 19 - Eugene, OR @ MATTHEW KNIGHT ARENA
- April 21 - Sacramento, CA @ Golden 1 Center
- April 22 - Bakersfield, CA @ Dignity Health Arena
- April 24 - Fresno, CA @ Save Mart Center at Fresno State
- May 15 - Tampa, FL @ Benchmark International Arena
- May 16 - Jacksonville, FL @ VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena
- May 18 - Columbia, SC @ Colonial Life Arena
- May 20 - Charlotte, NC @ Spectrum Center
- May 21 - Greensboro, NC @ First Horizon Coliseum
- May 23 - Atlantic City, NJ @ Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall
- May 27 - State College, PA @ Bryce Jordan Center
- May 28 - Charlottesville, VA @ John Paul Jones Arena
- May 30 - Knoxville, TN @ Food City Center
- May 31 - Savannah, GA @ Enmarket Arena
- June 3 - Hampton, VA @ Hampton Coliseum
- June 4 - Roanoke, VA @ Berglund Center Coliseum
- June 6 - Worcester, MA @ DCU Center
- June 7 - Manchester, NH @ SNHU Arena
- June 10 - Buffalo, NY @ KeyBank Center
- June 11 - Allentown, PA @ PPL Center
- June 13 - Cincinnati, OH @ Heritage Bank Center
- June 14 - Grand Rapids, MI @ Van Andel Arena
- June 17 - Evansville, IN @Ford Center
- June 18 - Fort Wayne, IN @ Allen County War Memorial Coliseum
- June 20 - Champaign, IL @ State Farm Center
- June 21 - Green Bay, WI @ Resch Center
- June 24 - Moline, IL @Vibrant Arena at the MARK
- June 25 - Springfield, MO @ Great Southern Bank Arena
- June 27 - Tupelo, MS @ Cadence Bank Arena
- June 28 - Lafayette, LA @ CAJUNDOME
- July 1 - Corpus Christi, TX @ Hilliard Center
- July 2 - Laredo, TX @ Sames Auto Arena
More dates are expected in 2027. Let's hope the band lasts that long.