An energized crowd that included graying rock 'n' roll fans, teenagers and young children packed Blaisdell Arena last night to see Journey, in the first Honolulu concert since 2004 for the '80s power-ballad band.

Longtime fans were eager to hear new lead singer Arnel Pineda, the Manila, Philippines, native who became the band's frontman in 2007. Pineda didn't disappoint, showing he's everything a Journey fan could hope for in a Steve Perry successor.

"It's like Journey's been reborn, you know?" said Jonathan Scott, 29, of Honolulu. "I love Steve Perry and it's not the same without him. But Arnel is amazing. It's almost like the old Journey is back and I love it."

Journey opened last night's concert with "Never Walk Away" off their new album, "Revelation." But the crowd really got into it when the band played its classics such as "Don't Stop Believing" and "Open Arms."

Last night's concert, the second of five Hawai'i shows and the first of three sold-out Honolulu shows, packed in thousands of fans who were lucky enough to get tickets.

The band was originally scheduled to do three shows on three islands — O'ahu, Maui and the Big Island — but ticket demand was so high that the group added two additional Honolulu shows. All three Honolulu shows sold out in a matter of hours.

Pineda was added to the band's lineup after guitarist and founding member Neal Schon discovered him via www.Youtube.com. A video of Pineda singing with a Journey cover band in his native Philippines caught Schon's ear because of the uncanny vocal similarity between Perry and Pineda.

Journey is currently touring in support of its latest album, "Revelation," which debuted at No. 5 on the Billboard 200 chart.

The band has two more sold-out concerts at the Blaisdell, tonight and Saturday. Sandwiched between those shows is a Big Island concert at 7 p.m. tomorrow at the Waikoloa Bowl at the Waikoloa Beach resort. Tickets are $60 and $150.

Journey opened its Hawai'i run Monday at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center Amphitheater.