journey cut short
‘Electrical incident’ abruptly cancels Journey concert at RodeoHouston
Journey left the stage early.
[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
