Looking Ahead: A Release Calendar of Upcoming Albums in 2024
Queer Jams of the Week: New Music From St. Vincent, Anitta, Rina Sawayama & More
Bunnie XO Takes Part in Viral TikTok Trend to Taylor Swift’s ‘Who’s Afraid of Little Old Me?’
Keityn on Writing for Karol G, Shakira, Maluma & More: ‘Out of 10 Songs I Write, One Becomes a Hit’
George Benson Reveals Release Date for Long-Lost Album Following Warner Music Group Return
Concert Reports
Journey
Dante Marsh & The Vibe Setters
07/20/2022, California Mid State Fair, Paso Robles
One of the most legendary rock bands of all time, JOURNEY, brought their spectacular live show to the Fair in Paso Robles on July 20 to kick off the 2022 Fair. The diamond-selling Rock & Roll Hall of Famers’ performance included many of their global chart-topping hits, including "Don't Stop Believin”, "Any Way You Want It", "Faithfully", "Lights" and more. The concert took place in the Chumash Grandstand Arena at the Paso Robles Event Center. This was the band’s fourth appearance at the Fair, having last performed eight years ago in 2014. Central Coast favorites Dante Marsh & The Vibe Setters opened the show
All Photos: Ray Soto / Central Coast Rocks
Journey have released Freedom, their first studio album of all new songs in over a decade. The album arrived July 8, 2022, via BMG (and on Frontier Records in Europe and Japan).
The band returned to U.S. arenas on Feb. 22 with the Freedom Tour 2022 with Toto as special guest. Though that tour is complete, they have many more dates scheduled for the summer and into 2023, when they’ll be celebrating their 50th anniversary.
In June 2021, Neal Schon noted that they had written dozens of new songs, and were “whittling it down to 10 or 12.” [It actually features 15 songs.] Over that summer, the band’s new lineup headlined the Lollapalooza Festival in Chicago and played Central Park at We Love NYC: The Homecoming Concert, in addition to honoring 9/11 first responders at the Tunnel to Towers concert in August.
Journey features founder Neal Schon (lead guitarist), Jonathan Cain (keyboards, backing vocals), Arnel Pineda (lead vocals) Jason Derlatka (keyboards, backing vocals), and Deen Castranovo (drums, backing vocals). Randy Jackson returns on bass guitar, on the album but is not touring with the group while he recovers from surgery.
“United We Stand” was released on the 4th of July. “More than ever, we need to take care of each other and look after one another,” the band wrote on their social media platforms. “‘United We Stand’ is a reminder that together we can make a difference.”
Of their 50th anniversary next year, Schon told USA Today, “there’s room for [the band’s storied alumni] to jump in if they want to participate. If Steve Perry wanted to come on and sing a song, yes. If (original Journey singer) Gregg Rolie wanted to come sing a couple of songs, yes.”
Schon was asked about his current relationship with Perry. “We are in contact,” he said. “It’s not about him coming out with us, but we’re speaking on different levels. That’s a start, even if it’s all business. And I’m not having to go through his attorney! We’ve been texting and emailing. He’s a real private guy and he wants to keep it that way. We’re in a good place.”
Dante Marsh & The Vibe Setters
Nothing resonates more throughout the central coast of California than the sound of The Vibe Setters.
The Vibe Setters are a soulful funk band with tasty grooves and colorful melodies.
Dante Marsh leads this award winning group based out of San Luis Obispo California, receiving both Best R&B song and Best Performance awards from New Times Magazine.
The 2022 California Mid-State Fair runs July 20 through July 31 and this year’s theme is “Full Steam Ahead!”
