journey cut short

‘Electrical incident’ abruptly cancels Journey concert at RodeoHouston

Journey left the stage early.

Photo by Brianna Griff

[Update March 15: On Saturday morning, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo released an additional statement about the situation that took place Friday night. Today's Warren Zeiders' concert will proceed as scheduled. The statement continues with information for people who attended Friday night's Journey concert:

"We are working through options for guests who purchased tickets through AXS, the Rodeo's official ticket provider. No action is required from ticket holders at this time. We will provide additional information in the coming days. Thank you for your patience and understanding."]

On Friday night, Journey’s sold-out RodeoHouston show in front of over 70,000 fans was cut short during the middle of “Don’t Stop Believin’,” the fourth song of the evening.

According to a statement from RodeoHouston, an electrical fire near the starred stage scuttled the show.

“Due to an unforeseen electrical incident under the stage area, we regretfully announce the cancellation of tonight's Journey concert,” the statement read. “We sincerely apologize to all fans for this disappointment. Our team is working diligently to assess the situation, and we will provide updates regarding rescheduling options and/or refunds as soon as possible.”

When a legendary song like “Don’t Stop Believin’” is the fourth song in your set, you’ve sufficiently created a generational musical dynasty, that much is true. On Friday night, the believin’ came to a grinding halt.

Many fans thought that the power to the stage abruptly cutting out just before the second chorus was done for dramatic effect, to get the crowd to finish the chorus. The video screens surrounding the stage went black, and no audio was heard from the musicians. Broadcaster Jake Asman shared the moment the power on stage went out on X.

I lived in Houston for six years and went to over 30 rodeo concerts—but I’ve never seen anything like this. Journey was in the middle of ‘Don’t Stop Believin’ when the stadium speakers blew out.

The entire concert is on hold! pic.twitter.com/UxbDFbXBr8
— Jake Asman (@JakeAsman) March 15, 2025

Fans became more concerned once the band members left the stage. They were last seen being escorted off the stadium floor and into the service level of NRG, but not exactly in a rush. Many in the press box assumed the technical difficulties were minor.

An announcement over the public address system from Bob Tallman, the reassuring voice of RodeoHouston, let fans know that the music was over for the evening.

Back in March 2007, some fans that attended a twin-bill of Hannah Montana (Miley Cyrus) and the Cheetah Girls were issued refunds after faulty speakers in the stadium left them without sound for a portion of the sold-out concert.

Here was the Journey setlist provided to media before the concert began. What a night it could have been.

Setlist

Only The Young
Be Good To Yourself
Stone In Love
Don’t Stop Believin’
Who’s Crying Now
Lights
Lovin’, Touchin’, Squeezin’
Open Arms
Ask The Lonely
Faithfully
Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)
Wheel In The Sky
Any Way You Want It

concert review rodeohouston

Waddle We Have Here

3 endangered penguin chicks just hatched at Galveston's Moody Gardens

A Humboldt penguin chick in an Easter Basket at Moody Gardens

Photo courtesy of Moody Gardens

Look what showed up in an Easter Basket!

Galveston's Moody Gardens announced this week that it has successfully hatched three Humboldt penguin chicks in the Aquarium Pyramid, the first time the facility has done so.

“This is our first ever time having Humboldt penguin chicks, so we’re very excited,” said Amy Jones, a biologist who works with the penguins and seals at Moody Gardens.

Two chicks were born to penguins Yolanda and Cusco, and another to Marcona and Ballesta, all between March 15 and 18. Aquarium staff has been monitoring the chicks and their parents, and all seem to be thriving.

Humboldt penguins are warm weather penguins that naturally inhabit the coasts of Peru and Chile. Moody Gardens introduced Humboldt penguins to its aquarium in 2017. A burrowing species, mating pairs lay and protect eggs in protected nests.

The new chicks will remain secluded in their nesting box for the time being until they develop their waterproof feathers. The parents are keeping them warm and fed. Sex will be determined via DNA testing at a later date, after which the chicks will be named and formally introduced to the public.

Achieving viable Humboldt penguins hatchings is a significant feat for a program that is less than 10 years old, according to Moody Gardens. The birds require strict diets and climate controlled habitats to thrive, and successfully housing a colony of 12 in an environment that makes them comfortable enough to breed is quite an achievement. Engagement and stimulation is key, and visitors to the aquarium can often see the penguins playing with bubbles and toys that simulate activity in the natural environment.

Successful hatchings are also a win in the fight against extinction. Humboldt penguins are classified as a vulnerable species, with only about 23,000 left worldwide. The birds are heavily impacted by El Niño events that disrupt the nutrient-rich Humboldt current that forms the base of the penguins' food pyramid. Driven by man-made climate change, these events are increasing in number and severity. Overfishing, pollution, habitat loss, and being caught in fishing nets also accounts for a decline in the population, according to press materials. Programs like the one at Moody Gardens help educate the public on the dangers the penguins face in the wild.

The real question is: when will visitors be allowed to see the babies? Staff continues to monitor the chicks with regular weigh-ins. The chicks will remain in the nesting boxes for at least several weeks until they are mature enough to start entering safe areas and, eventually, the main habitat. In the meantime, people can see videos on the Moody Gardens Instagram page.

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