The Sands Event Center in Bethlehem, PA was packed from front to back on Tuesday, May 21st hosting one of the great classic rock acts of all time – Styx.
Styx kicked off the show to a large energetic crowd. They were the only act performing that night so the audience was in for a treat! During the first few songs the entire first row got up and started dancing near the stage. The Chicago based rock band took the audience through a timeline from 1977-1991. They had a stellar setlist which included some of their greatest hits including “Snowblind” from the album Paradise Theater. This is their 10th album that reached #1 on the Billboard chart and was released in 1981.
For “Miss America”, a huge image of an American flag with stars and stripes were displayed across the screen on the stage, a fitting tribute to a band that has become an American treasure over the years. Tommy Shaw belted out intense notes during a particular emotional section of the song, a staple in the legacy of this veteran act.
“Light up” was a highlight and fittingly the crowd was encouraged to use their cell phone flashlights which has become the modern replacement for the old lighter in the air routine. Still it was amazing to look around the room and see the room glow with people holding up their phones in the air.
Keyboardist Lawrence Gowan wore a black jacket with sequins and a top hat during the performance as he surprised the audience by mostly dancing on stage instead of performing on the keyboard. I noticed during another song, Lawrence showed his talent by playing the keyboard with one hand while looking at the audience rather than the keys.A talent I admire immensely!
At one point during the concert, the band members paused to thank the audience for coming to the show then jokingly told everyone that the setlist was done. The fans seemed disappointed thinking that it might be time to leave. Little did they know that there was another song to be played – it was encore time. More songs featured from their setlist included “Khedive” followed by an Elton John cover “Goodbye Yellowbrick Road”.
Their party ended with “Come Sail Away” as the crowd stood up and sang along to the lyrics. They walked off the stage for a short break before the crowd enticed the legends back on stage one more time. The finale came with spot on renditions of “Mr. Roboto” and “Renegade”, two classics in their own right.
PHOTO GALLERY
Photos by Kimberly Ann of Garden State Band Connection
