Journey Joined by Steve Perry Lookalike Hugo Valenti in Japan
Journey brought out a familiar face and voice during their Saturday night set in Japan, welcoming Steve Perry lookalike Hugo Valenti to the stage for a performance of “Faithfully.”
The appearance took place at the inaugural Greatest Rock event in Fukuoka, a lineup that also featured Night Ranger. Journey’s 20-song performance utilized five different singers throughout the night.
A Multi-Singer Set in Japan
While Arnel Pineda handled the bulk of the vocal duties, other members of the band stepped up to the microphone. Drummer Deen Castronovo took lead on “Lights” and “Anytime,” with assistance from keyboardist Jonathan Cain on the latter. Meanwhile, keyboardist Jason Derlatka delivered lead vocals on “Of a Lifetime” and “Suzanne.”
The most talked-about moment of the evening arrived when Cain introduced Valenti to the crowd. Cain noted from the piano before launching into the intro of “Faithfully” that Valenti had traveled all the way from New Jersey to visit Japan.
Who Is Hugo Valenti?
Valenti fronts Hugo: The Ultimate Journey Tribute. His resemblance in both voice and appearance to former frontman Steve Perry has notable history; Valenti previously auditioned to take Perry’s place in the band, though he was reportedly told he looked too much like the classic-era singer.
Social media reaction following the performance included confusion from some concertgoers who wondered if they were witnessing an actual reunion with Perry, alongside online discussions debating the performance and speculating about future lineup permutations.
Journey Fukuoka Set List
- “Be Good to Yourself”
- “Stone in Love”
- “Ask the Lonely”
- “Only the Young”
- “Lights”
- “Of a Lifetime”
- “La Do Da”
- “Escape”
- “Chain Reaction”
- “Dead or Alive”
- “Anytime”
- “Who’s Crying Now”
- “Open Arms”
- “Suzanne”
- “Wheel in the Sky”
- “Faithfully”
- “Don’t Stop Believin’”
- “Lovin’, Touchin’, Squeezin’”
- “Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)”
- “Any Way You Want It”
Journey’s Final Frontier Tour, billed as a farewell road trip, is scheduled to return to North America on Sept. 12 and run through Nov. 28.
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