Journey’s lead guitarist Neal Schon blames headlining band Avenged Sevenfold for sound issues that marred the band’s performance, sparking controversy.
In a dramatic turn of events at the 2024 Rock in Rio festival, Neal Schon, legendary guitarist and founding member of the iconic rock band Journey, has accused metal band Avenged Sevenfold (A7X) of sabotaging their performance by limiting sound output during their set. The controversy unfolded after Journey’s live rendition of their classic hit “Don’t Stop Believin’” drew criticism from fans on social media, who focused their ire on lead singer Arnel Pineda.
The criticism, which primarily targeted Pineda’s vocals, prompted an emotional response from the singer. Pineda, who has fronted Journey since 2007, said he was “devastated” by the backlash and even offered to leave the band if fans no longer supported him. Despite the online comments, a majority of fans rallied behind the singer, urging him to stay.
Neal Schon Comes to Pineda’s Defense
Neal Schon, Journey’s only constant member since the band’s formation in 1973, quickly came to Pineda’s defense, claiming that the band’s technical issues during the performance were due to Avenged Sevenfold’s control over the sound system. According to Schon, the sound for Journey’s set was intentionally limited, resulting in poor audio for the audience.
Schon took to Facebook to address the situation, saying: “We found out much later that we got extremely limited by Avenged Sevenfold. That means that hardly any sound can get out of the PA to the audience. It’s a bulls— move.” He posted a video from the performance showing an enthusiastic crowd, arguing that despite the technical problems, fans were still enjoying the show. Schon dismissed the online criticism as “fabricated,” pointing the finger at “owned and bought blogs” spreading false narratives about the performance.
Avenged Sevenfold’s Role in the Controversy
As the headlining act for the night, Avenged Sevenfold, a Grammy-nominated band that debuted in 2001, had control over the sound setup during the event, which is standard practice for festival headliners. This, according to Schon, gave them the ability to limit the sound for Journey’s set, effectively sabotaging the performance.
Schon’s claims have yet to be addressed by Avenged Sevenfold, who remain silent on the issue. Some fans on social media questioned whether Journey’s own sound team could have rectified the issue, but Schon argued that the equipment had been “locked up and password protected,” making it impossible for their technicians to intervene.
Interestingly, fellow performers Evanescence, who took the stage between Journey and Avenged Sevenfold, did not experience similar sound problems, raising doubts about Schon’s allegations. Some attendees pointed out that Journey’s sound difficulties could have been due to technical glitches rather than intentional sabotage.
A Rocky Year for Journey
This controversy comes at a turbulent time for Journey, as the band recently canceled several concerts in the UK. While it remains unclear if the cancellations are related to the fallout from Rock in Rio, the band has faced internal challenges as well. Neal Schon has been embroiled in a legal dispute with Journey’s longtime keyboardist Jonathan Cain over financial issues related to the tour, including disagreements about budgeting and spending.
Journey, known for their chart-topping hits from the 1970s and ’80s like “Open Arms,” “Faithfully,” and “Separate Ways,” recently celebrated their 50th anniversary. Despite their enduring popularity, tensions within the band have spilled into public view, adding to the challenges of maintaining harmony both on and off stage.
Arnel Pineda’s Journey with the Band
Pineda, who joined Journey in 2007 after being discovered by Neal Schon through YouTube videos, has faced scrutiny throughout his tenure as the band’s lead singer. The pressure of filling the shoes of former lead vocalist Steve Perry, who was with Journey during their peak years from 1977 to 1987 and briefly in the mid-1990s, has always been immense. However, Pineda has developed a strong fan base and successfully fronted the band for more than a decade.
The recent criticism appears to have hit Pineda particularly hard, leading to his offer to step down if fans no longer wanted him. Schon’s vocal support of Pineda underscores the band’s commitment to its current lineup, despite ongoing challenges.
The Broader Impact of the Incident
The tension between Journey and Avenged Sevenfold at Rock in Rio highlights broader issues that can arise when legacy bands share the stage with younger acts. While it’s not uncommon for technical issues to occur at large music festivals, Schon’s accusation of sabotage adds an unusual and dramatic twist to what might otherwise be dismissed as a routine technical malfunction.
Festival organizers and sound engineers typically work to ensure that each band’s set runs smoothly, but headliners often have more control over sound settings, which can create friction between acts. Whether or not Avenged Sevenfold intentionally limited Journey’s sound remains unclear, but the public airing of grievances has drawn attention to the behind-the-scenes dynamics of large-scale music events.
As the controversy continues to unfold, fans of both bands are left to speculate about what really happened during Journey’s performance at Rock in Rio. For now, Journey is pushing forward, with Neal Schon and Arnel Pineda standing united against the criticism, determined to continue their journey despite the bumps along the way.
