We saw Styx at this venue back in 2015 and enjoyed it very much. Unlike many older bands, Styx changes the set list. And this year they even had new music to play. In 2017 the band produced a new studio album, "The Mission," its first one since 2003. Four numbers from that album were interspersed into the night's line-up. And no one seemed to mind. The songs were interesting and likable. You have to respect a band that is still creating music and not just riding the gravy train of old hits, even if those hits are fantastic.
Nineteen songs were performed including two encores, Mr Roboto and Renegade. I found an interesting side note about Styx adding Mr Roboto back in their concerts as of last year. Styx states that repeated fan demand brought it back. Dennis DeYoung is gloating and posted a weird rant about it but that's for another story.
The set list was posted on the band's instagram account and reads as follows (* songs from The Mission):
Gone Gone Gone*, Blue Collar Man, Grand Illusion, Lady, Radio Silence*, Snowblind, Red Storm*, Light Up, Fooling Yourself, Rockin' the Paradise, Suite Madam Blue, Miss America, Crystal Ball, Pieces of eight, The Outpost*, Too Much Time, Come Sail Away, and the two encores.
Back in the 1960s, twin brothers Chuck and John Panozzo started playing music with their neighbor, Dennis DeYoung. They later called themselves the Tradewinds, which morphed into Styx in 1972. John Panozzo died in 1996 but Chuck still tours part-time with the band, and they brought him out tonight.
The other band members were Tommy Shaw, Lawrence Gowan, James Young, Ricky Phillips, and Todd Sucherman (Todd was voted #1 Rock Drummer in the world by Modern Drummer Magazine). They have a distinct sound together and still bring great energy to their performances, even after so many years.
With a repertoire as large as theirs, Styx is bound to miss someone's favorite and tonight, for me, it was "Boat on the River." Written by Tommy Shaw and featuring him and his mandolin, the song is worth looking up on YouTube. The two photos below are from the 2015 concert.
But then again, Tommy Shaw is my favorite band member. His voice and his musical skills are incredible. Which isn't to take anything away from the rest of the band. They are all talented and professional musicians.
Until next time, Styx!
Just one note for Meijer Gardens: they may want to update their almond supply :-)
Cheers to another summer concert!
