You have to wonder what the guys in Journey are thinking.
Steve Perry, the band’s most famous frontman, walked away from the band 20 years ago. Then, out of nowhere, he popped up at a few shows in June to sing old Journey hits — with the indie rock band Eels. His surprise reappearance made news around the world.
His former bandmates might be thinking: Why couldn’t Perry have done that with us?
After all, there are opportunities. The band is back on tour this summer, playing the White River Amphitheatre at 6:45 p.m. Saturday with Arnel Pineda singing lead. The vocalist, discovered by the band members via YouTube, has served as a capable stand-in for Perry since 2008.
During its show here, the group will no doubt play songs Perry made famous, including “Don’t Stop Believin’,” “Lovin’, Touchin’, Squeezin’,” and “Lights.” Don’t be surprised if the band also includes newer material, like “Anything Is Possible,” a single off the group’s 2011 album, “Eclipse.”
Perry, meanwhile, probably won’t sing songs off of “Eclipse” when he appears, you know, wherever he chooses to appear.
Journey’s opener at the White River Amphitheatre, the Steve Miller Band, also can lean on a well-loved back catalog to put together its set list. The group is responsible for classic rock staples such as “The Joker,” “Fly Like an Eagle” and “Rock’n Me.”
Tickets are $38.50 to $172 at ticketmaster.com or 800-745-3000.
Another double-bill, featuring Goo Goo Dolls and Daughtry, will hit the Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery at 6 p.m. Saturday.
Goo Goo Dolls made a splash in the mid-1990s with its safe take on alt-rock. The group started out as an underground punk act, but made it big with a string of hits that started in 1995. Songs like “Iris,” “Name” and “Slide” made them all but unavoidable on mainstream rock radio.
Chris Daughtry, meanwhile, has the questionable honor of being one of the most successful acts to come out of “American Idol” without winning the show. As the frontman for Daughtry, the singer has sold millions of albums with his own palatable rock. He’s touring now behind his new album, last year’s “Baptized.”
Tickets are $78.90 to $100.40 at ticketmaster.com or 800-745-3000.
Lyle Lovett will play the Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery as well, bringing his Large Band back to the outdoor venue for a show at 7 tonight.
Lovett’s appearances at the winery have become a staple of the venue’s summer concert season, occurring reliably for half a decade. Past shows have found him using his Large Band — think brass and strings — to belt out an eclectic mix of tunes, including the blues, rockabilly, country and more.
Tickets are $58.95 to $89.65 at ticketmaster.com or 800-745-3000.
The Hold Steady also is back on the road, set to play the Neptune Theatre at 8 tonight.
Fronted by Craig Finn, the rock band has won acclaim for vivid songs that chronicle the lives of beaten-down teens, ill-fated poets and mixed-up Catholics — and for somehow making those people sound a little bit uplifting.
Tickets are $25 at stgpresents.org or 877-784-4849.
Finally, Say Anything will headline the Showbox at 8 p.m. Saturday.
The ambitiously minded brainchild of singer Max Bemis, Say Anything has separated itself from the pop-punk pack with cohesive albums often focused on some sort of big idea.
The group’s most recent album, “Hebrews,” hit stores in June. Unlike past outings, this album favored string arrangements over guitars and took its title from Bemis’ own cultural background.
Tickets are $18 at showboxonline.com or 888-929-7849.
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