Journey’s Neal Schon: ‘We’re Shaking Up the Set-Lists Big Time’

Journey’s Neal Schon admits the band faces an unusual challenge — having too many hit songs to fit into one show. While many artists feel bound to play a “greatest hits” set, the legendary guitarist says he’s ready to break the mold and reinvent the Journey live experience.

In a recent conversation with Rick Beato, Schon acknowledged that the band’s most popular tracks typically dominate their concerts. “If it was up to me, I wouldn’t [structure the set that way],” he said. “[But] it’s not. It will be sometime.”

Schon, never one to shy away from experimentation, says he’s driven by a desire to keep fans on their toes. “I like the surprise attack on the audience, I really do,” he explained. “I loved what [Led] Zeppelin used to do. They played the songs, but they didn’t play them exactly like the record. They jammed, and it was all of those segues and bits and pieces to get to the song.”

“The Riffs Are Ass-Kicking”

Schon revealed that he’s been discussing new creative directions with longtime keyboardist and songwriting partner Jonathan Cain. “This next tour, we’re finally going to put in some rehearsal time,” he shared. “I said, ‘Man, we’ve got all of these great riffs — even if they’re not hit songs — from albums we’ve done.’”

He added that some of the band’s deeper cuts contain powerful guitar sections that deserve a spotlight. “[They’re songs] nobody really knows, but the riffs are ass-kicking and they’re meant to be played live,” Schon said. “So I want to find a way to utilize all of the bits and pieces — not to play the whole song, because it didn’t turn out great as a song — but there’s some ass-kicking riffs, man, that I know will really come [across] live.”

A Different Kind of Journey Show

The guitarist’s comments echo statements he made during an interview with Eddie Trunk in late September, where he teased a major overhaul of the band’s live format. “It’s going to be a very different show, and it’s going to entail many of our albums,” Schon said at the time. “We won’t go all of the way back to the very, very beginning. But I’d say from ’78 on, we’re going to dig deep — and the sets are going to be much longer.”

Fans can expect an expanded catalog and more dynamic arrangements — a nod to the improvisational spirit that defined classic rock’s golden age.

Looking Ahead: Tours, Transitions, and What’s Next

Journey is gearing up for an ambitious touring schedule that will carry them through 2026 and 2027. “We have about 120 shows [booked] and we’ll probably add to them,” Schon revealed. “Half of [them will be] in ’26 and the other half [of the concerts will follow] in ’27.”

The upcoming tours will also mark a bittersweet transition for the group. In October, Jonathan Cain announced that he plans to leave Journey after their 2026–2027 run to focus on his solo career. “I feel a calling there,” Cain said, adding that he plans to release a new solo EP by the end of this year.

Despite the impending lineup change, Schon remains optimistic about the band’s future. “We will have a great couple of years,” he said. And as for his own plans? The guitarist made it clear he’s not slowing down anytime soon. “I’m nowhere near done!”

Journey’s first confirmed concert of 2026 is set for April 25 at the annual Stagecoach Music Festival, kicking off what promises to be a new era for the Rock & Roll Hall of Famers.