Journey guitarist Neal Schon has his sights set on the Sphere, the immersive entertainment venue in Las Vegas. In a recent text, Schon expressed his belief that Journey’s classic material would be a perfect fit for the Sphere’s cutting-edge audio-visual technology.
“I’m not sure there’s even a possibility, but what I do know from evaluating all the bands that have played there and seen what it’s about. We would absolutely destroy that place if we played everything from our first album on,” Schon said.
Schon’s comments come as Journey continues its “Freedom Tour” with co-headliners Def Leppard and alternating lineups of Cheap Trick, Heart, and Steve Miller Band. The band recently sold out Michelob Ultra Arena in Las Vegas in March, and has also played the F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix opening party and headlined the Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel, the Colosseum at Caesars Palace, and Resorts World Theatre in recent years.
The Sphere, which opened in February, has hosted a variety of artists, including U2 and Phish. The venue features a massive spherical screen and a state-of-the-art sound system. Schon believes Journey’s early hits, such as “Lights,” “Don’t Stop Believin’,” “Separate Ways (Worlds Apart),” and “Faithfully,” would soar in the Sphere’s immersive environment.
“I predicted that it would become a jam-band place, as I feel that’s what it set up best for visually,” Schon said. “U2 is cool, but I thought it was over the top for them … I also predicted Phish would be playing there, and funny enough, one of their jams sounded like ‘Wheel In the Sky.'”
While there has been no formal talk of Journey playing the Sphere, Schon’s comments suggest that the band is interested in the possibility. And with the Sphere’s reputation as a premier destination for live music, it’s easy to see why Journey would be eager to perform there. The venue’s immersive technology would provide a unique and unforgettable experience for fans of the legendary rock band.
