Journey and Toto performed at the Xcel Energy Center

Staying power. If you look it up in Merriam-Webster it’s defined as the “capacity for continuing (as in existence, influence, or popularity) without weakening”. If there were a photo to accompany the definition it might be an image of Journey. Which lineup would be featured is the only question (to be discussed later).

Though they haven’t released a new album in 11 years or had a chart topping hit this century their hold on today’s music scene and pop culture is astounding. In 2007, their popularity resurfaced to a new generation when their song "Don't Stop Believin'" was featured in the final scene of “The Sopranos”. After that, it has shown up everywhere. It’s been featured on Kid Rock tours, Broadway musicals and has become a staple at Huntington Bank Stadium during Gopher football games. The student section knows every word even though it’s nearly a quarter century older than they are.

So, you might ask yourself, why play this mega hit third on Monday’s setlist? The answer is simple; because they can. With a stable of hits spanning the 70’s and 80’s they can rotate closing songs like they have rotated band members over the years (17 in all).

For the rest of the night the 14,000+ in attendance were treated to a number of power ballads that dominated the 80’s including the signature Jonathan Cain written hits, “Open Arms”, "Faithfully" and “Who’s Crying Now”. But just before things got too mellow they seemed to reel the audience back in each time with songs like "Lovin’, Touchin’, Squeezin'", “Wheel In the Sky” and Separate Ways”.

Visibly missing from the ever rotating line up was bassist Randy Jackson who took over for Ross Valory. According to news articles Jackson is recovering from back surgery so enter former Ozzy Osbourne bassist Todd Jensen. Just like a finely turned college football team, one leaves and its next man up. After all, this is a band that has had to fill that signature Steve Perry sound not once, not twice but three different times and has captured it almost perfectly.

Also missing from the show was any new material. The band is going to release a new album later this year but their 18 song setlist looked like a greatest hits tour. Regardless for the absence of new music the crowd didn’t seem to mind.

One of the concerns coming in to the night was the opening band slot. Originally it was filled by 80’s icon Billy Idol whose upbeat hits paired well with Journey’s but Billy was sidelined due to MRSA. Instead of attempting to find someone who matched up to their upbeat 80’s success, Journey went with someone who linked to their ballads. Toto was the perfect pairing. Unfortunately, only two original member from their heyday remain but the hits were still there. After all, they too saw a resurgent [sic] when their encore hit “Africa” was recently covered by Weezer in 2018 who took it to #1 on the US Billboard Rock Airplay charts.