After a day filled with off and on showers, the skies cleared for a perfect backdrop to what would become the highlight so far of the Artpark concert season. Styx promptly took the stage at 8 pm and started with “Grand Illusion.” This is the longest tenured lineup in the band’s history (since bassist Ricky Phillips joined in 2003.) It was nice to see original bassist Chuck Panozzo make an appearance at this show. He only plays with the band at select shows and a few songs at each due to health related reasons. He was given the spotlight by the rest of the members for “Fooling Yourself” while Philips played a double neck guitar for the song. He also came out for “Come Sail Away” and all of the encores.
Along with the beautiful scenery and gorge behind the stage, an LED wall screen lit up behind the kit which was eye catching too. The band made note of their affinity for playing the venue as they played it a handful of times over the years. Keyboardist Lawrence Gowan, guitarists Tommy Shaw and JY Young all handled vocal duties and each sounded great and played the songs the way they were meant to be played. There wasn’t any tuning down or omitting due to ranges or playing abilities.
Shaw who is the consummate showman was all over throwing out picks and even took center stage on “Man in the Wilderness” and “Crystal Ball.” He talked about how the band appreciated the era from which these songs were derived from. A time when bands had the ability to express themselves and make complete albums.
Gowan had his own stab at center stage as he was able to play solo “A Criminal Mind.” He sang lead on the Beatles classic “I Am the Walrus” and also played a medley of cover songs before the band broke into one of the biggest hits “Come Sail Away.”
Most bands in their genre play it safe by performing the songs that most fans feel comfortable with. Not even being a diehard fan myself, I really appreciated that they strayed away from a formula that is predictable and contrived. Styx set list was a perfect balance of hits, covers and B sides. They dusted off “Lights” which hasn’t been performed in quite some time. For a band that’s been around as long as Styx has, seeing them on Tuesday was fresh and exciting!
Setlist:
Grand Illusion
Too Much Time
Fooling Yourself
Lady
Lorelei
Man in the Wilderness
Miss America
Space Oddity (David Bowie cover)
Crystal Ball
I Am the Walrus (The Beatles cover)
A Criminal Mind (Lawrence Gown song)
Lights
Suite Madame Blue
Blue Collar Man (long Nights)
1999 (Prince cover)/Bohemian Rhapsody (Queen cover)/ (Sittin’ on the Dock of the Bay (Otis Redding cover) medley/ Come Sail Away
Encore:
Rockin’ the Paradise
Renegade
We would like to thank Amanda Cagan from ABC PR for the credentials to review the show.
