Summer nights and classic rock have once again come to Darien Center, NY, at the famed Darien Lake Performing Arts Center. Beginning the humid night was Rock and Roll Hall of Famer and former founding member of the band Traffic, Dave Mason. Mr. Mason, a staple in the adult contemporary music scene, gave music fans a seven song set being highlighted by original traffic songs including, “Rock and Roll Stew,” “Dear Mr. Fantasy” and “Feelin’ Alright.” A surprise treat was a cover of “All Along The Watchtower,” bringing smiles of surprise and delight to the crowd. Mason further won over concert attendees by sporting a stylish buffalo shirt for this special performance of “Buffalonians.” He made it known to the fans his appreciation for their support. The crowd responded to Mason with boisterous claps and cheers. A very strong showing of musical talent was given to the fans to start off this night.
Second up on this triple bill was The Doobie Brothers. The band has been active and producing hits since the 1970s and I took particular notice of a child around the age of six or seven shouting out songs that he wanted to hear. Picture in your head, a child yelling out, “Play “Black Water” and “Rockin Down The Highway.” If that’s not amazing enough, now picture the same little boy singing along, word for word, to songs that were decades before his time and likely decades before he was even a thought between his parents. That’s a special thing, when a band can inspire someone of a completely different generation. More importantly, Mom and Dad were side by side with this little man enjoying this evening as a family. Family brings me to my next point about the performance, in general. Sure, there were the traditional concert attendees supporting their favorite band of the night, the couple holding each other close, but truly standing out was the numerous amount of people who made this a “family night” of wholesome music. Even torrential downpours and thirty mile per hour wind gusts were not enough to spoil this event. It was difficult to tell who had more fun, the fans in rain ponchos soaking up the summer storm, or The Doobies that played for an extended fifteen-song set list.
The storm continued, but so did the show. As a fan of music, concert photography, and writing to a slightly lesser extent, I was very apprehensive as to what Journey was going to bring the fans at the 9:30 pm hour. Prior to this night, I had only heard singer Steve Perry handle vocal duties. Tonight would be different. This night I would hear vocal phenom Arnel Pineda. To revel the moment, and to be as neutral as possible, I closed my eyes to only hear the music upon the opening notes. Not only did Journey open with my personal favorite song “Separate Ways,” had I not known Perry was no longer the frontman, I would have bet my savings he was there on stage. Pineda amazed me with his vocal mastery and stage antics. His sound was that of a rejuvenated Perry. Pineda brought another valuable skill with him. He knew how to navigate and work every inch of the stage during each song, refusing to stand still taking flight several times during Journey’s sixteen-song set. Pineda was able to further draw the crowd in when he asked the fans to bring out their cell phone lights and help Journey light up the night sky. Within seconds, people joined in unison, providing the fans’ light show of the night.
Another major point of interest was drummer Steve Smith joining the band on tour for the first time since the late nineties. Smith has not lost a beat and played as though he was having the time of his life.
Upon leaving the show, I saw people smiling, laughing, and enjoying each other’s company. Everyone was talking about how high or how many times Arnel jumped but didn’t lose a note in his performance. Others were wide eyed with excitement for the return of Steve Smith. Be sure to check out this triple bill in a city near you.
Journey setlist:
Separate Ways
Be Good To Yourself
Only the Young
Guitar Solo
Stone in Love
Any Way You Want It
Lights
Piano Solo
Open Arms
Who’s Crying Now
Escape
La Do Da
Wheel in the Sky
Faithfully
Don’t Stop Believin’
Lovin’, Touchin’, Squeezin’
The Doobie Brothers setlist:
Jesus Is Just Alright (Art Reynolds Singers cover)
Rockin Down the Highway
Take Me in Your Arms (Kim Weston cover)
Dark Eyed Cajun Woman
World Gone Crazy
Eyes of Silver
Clear as the Driven Snow
Keyboard Solo
Takin’ It to the Streets
The Doctor
Back Water
Long Train Runnin’
China Grove
Without You
Listen to the Music
Dave Mason setlist:
Only You Know and I Know
Rock and Roll Stew (Traffic)
We Just Disagree
Look at You Look at Me
Dear Mr. Fantasy (Traffic)
Fellin Alright (Traffic)
All Along the Watchtower (Bob Dylan Cover)
We would like to thank Ashley Ball from Livenation for the credentials to review the show.
