I was a little nervous as I pulled up to the venue during a heavy Georgia afternoon thunderstorm. But after the rain cleared up and a slight weather delay, Chicago and Styx played to a packed house at Ameris Amphitheater. Even the wet lawn filled up to catch a show that was filled with nostalgia and top tier musicianship. It was an enthusiastic crowd of all ages proving that the iconic music had something for everybody. Personally, I was brought back to a fond memory of cruising around the beach on spring break to “Too Much Time on My Hands” while we all sang at the top of our lungs trying to keep up with Tommy Shaw’s vocals. Which I am happy to report sounded just as good or better today as the day it was recorded! But first let’s take a trip to the Windy City.
Chicago started out the night strong with their new lead vocalist Rudy Cardenas holding down the classics and bringing a great energy to the band. It was great to see founding member Lee Loughnane holding his trumpet high and proud! Also on the front like were musicians Ray Herrmann on the saxophone, Tony Obrohta on guitar, Nick Lane on trombone, and Eric Baines on bass. The backline included Justin Avery on keys, Carlos Murguía also on keys, Walfredo Reyes Jr. on drums, and Ramon “Ray” Yslas on percussion. They all had a great chemistry together on stage and brought the songs that we all know and love to life. The horns all blended perfectly and each musician added a really nice dynamic to the band.
Sometimes it takes a show like this to appreciate that the band’s music has run a course through your life and you can pick out moments and memories as they played along. A favorite section was the suite of songs from “Ballet For a Girl in Buchannon” from their second album. That was a great record and in my opinion the height of their more instrumental period. Fans should should check out the Steven Wilson remix of that classic a year or so ago that breathes an unanticipated life to it! This was a dynamite show.
Setlist:
Encore:
Styx shifted the energy into overdrive the moment they hit the stage. The crowd was electrified and on their feet from the beginning. The fog and lights set the scene for exactly what you would expect to see in 1981 when their album “Paradise Theatre” was #1 on the Billboard 200 Albums chart. And they did not disappoint. They sounded just as good or even better as the recorded tracks we have heard all over the radio, movies, games across the last five decades!
For any of you who read my reviews you know I love the guitars. Tommy Shaw, if you are reading this, thank you for treating us to so many great ones. Next time let’s sit down and talk about them! There were a lot, so I know I won’t get to them all but a couple of my favorites of his were a custom Silver Street, a well traveled black strat with a tele neck, a couple of beautiful Les Pauls, a Collings I-35, and a Gibson Hummingbird.
Will Evankovich had an impressive line up as well, including a Suhr Classic T, Gibson SG, Gibson Firebird, and another Collings I-35 and he wasn’t afraid to lay into them! Of course James Young’s custom green Strat gets a mention here. It sounded as good as it looked and was played with a fierce confidence all night. Whew, so many more for sure, and I could go on and on just talking about these! Over all a real treat to the many musicians in the crowd Styx inspired to pick up an instrument over the years.
Lawrence Gowan had a really special stage presence that was easy to connect to. It was great to watch him walk circles with his keyboard, playing it behind his back, and at some times standing on top of it. A real world class musician with the ability to hold the attention of the entire venue. It must run in the family because his brother Terry Gowan brought just a much energy on the bass for the entire set! You could feel Todd Sucherman’s drumming in your chest as he kept the momentum up through every song without missing a beat. And last but not least they were joined by original founding member Chuck Panozzo on the bass for the last few songs.
Whether you grew up with these songs or they grew on you as classic rock, I recommend catching Styx live. This was my third time, and it feels like they just keep getting better. Hearing these career-spanning classics live with the energy that each band member brings is really special.
Set list:
Encore:
