Journey Brings The Final Frontier Tour To Columbia
By DAve | FOX 102.3 FOX FREEloader
When Journey says Final Frontier, they mean it.
FOX 102.3’s own DAve checked in from Colonial Life Arena as the Rock & Roll Hall of Famers brought their farewell-style arena run to Columbia for a massive 27-song celebration spanning more than five decades of hits. From “Faithfully” and “Open Arms” to “Separate Ways” and “Don’t Stop Believin’,” the night delivered everything longtime Journey fans could’ve hoped for: pyro, confetti, deep cuts and a crowd singing every word.
This latest stop officially marks concert #1,129 for our FOX FREEloader, and DAve was right there in the stands capturing the sights, sounds and stories from one of classic rock’s biggest tours of 2026.
Journey: The Final Frontier Tour
Colonial Life Arena • Columbia, SC
Monday was a full circle moment being my 4th time seeing Journey going all the way back to the days of legendary frontman Steve Perry.
In November of last year, the rock and rollers from the city by the Bay announced they would embark on a massive Final Frontier Tour across North America in 2026, describing the run as a “heartfelt goodbye to the fans who’ve been with us.” Keyboardist Jonathan Cain’s plans to retire from touring was cited as the major contributing factor in the decision.
The Final Frontier shows feature founder Neal Schon on lead guitar, keyboardist and vocalist Jonathan Cain, along with lead vocalist Arnel Pineda, who has fronted the band since 2008. Drummer and vocalist Deen Castronovo, keyboardist Jason Derlatka and bassist Todd Jensen round out the band’s final touring line-up.
Having witnessed Arnel (as well as Perry) perform LIVE, I was confident there would be no lack of quality in performance and that ALL the hits would be covered. Pineda has truly become a fixture, not unlike Perry, whom it would seem impossible to see the band functioning without.
The 100-city excursion began February 28th in Hershey, Pennsylvania and wraps up November 28th with a hometown finale in San Francisco. Columbia’s Colonial Life Arena marked stop number 33 on the tour.
A Stage Built For Arena Rock
Arriving early, as custom is, I was able to make my way down close to the stage for a detailed look at the production.
The focal point was a near full-stage LED screen with twin side screens stretching outward past the stage edges. Vertical spotlight arrays separated the screens while a massive lighting rig above resembled an eight-bladed airplane propeller.
Jonathan Cain’s iconic red baby grand “Whale” piano sat stage right while Neal Schon’s Marshall stacks occupied stage left. A countdown clock with cosmic tour visuals rolled overhead as the arena slowly filled.
By showtime, any smattering of open seats had disappeared.
At 7:45 PM the house lights dropped to The Who’s “Baba O’Riley.”
Then came the countdown.
“Five… Four… Three… Two… One…”
Showtime.
Hit After Hit
Journey opened with “Be Good To Yourself” before rolling directly into “Stone In Love” and “Ask The Lonely.”
Pineda’s energy level was off the charts all night. Across the stage he went, twirling his microphone overhead while somehow still delivering those massive Journey vocals note for note.
The band rotated vocal duties throughout the evening with Jonathan Cain, Deen Castronovo and Jason Derlatka each taking lead vocals on select tracks. It was an impressive strategy considering the demands of Journey’s catalog.
One of the night’s biggest surprises came with “Send Her My Love,” a song only performed once previously on the tour. It clearly landed well with the crowd as Arnel and Neal met mid-stage afterward for a celebratory fist bump.
Journey also leaned heavily into Escape, performing seven songs from the legendary album including “Escape,” “Who’s Crying Now,” “Open Arms” and “Don’t Stop Believin’.”
“Faithfully” became one of the evening’s emotional centerpieces as Jonathan Cain dedicated the song to military families and service members stationed at nearby Fort Jackson.
Then came the confetti blast.
Then came “Separate Ways.”
Then came “Any Way You Want It.”
And just like that, the night was over.
Final Thoughts From The FOX FREEloader
Journey may be preparing to close one chapter of arena-rock history, but if Columbia’s stop on the Final Frontier Tour proved anything, it’s that these songs still hit just as hard as ever.
From the massive singalongs to the deep-cut surprises, concert #1,129 was another reminder of why live music still matters — and why Journey remains one of the most enduring bands in rock history.
Big thanks to DAve for another FOX FREEloader review and photo gallery from the road. Be sure to keep checking back for more concert coverage, stories and snapshots from the next stop.
Review and photos by DAve for FOX 102.3