NOTE: All photos are copyright of Howard Shiau Photography 2025
Over fifty years since Styx released their debut album in 1972 and over forty five years since their classic album “The Grand Illusion” became certified triple platinum, the band continues to tour even through personnel changes including an acrimonious separation from former lead singer Dennis DeYoung. They’ve even been making new music, the latest being 2021’s “Crash of the Crown”. Their live shows continue to thrill a fan base that is utterly dedicated. This is confirmed by their 2023 World Tour (as long as you consider North America the world). If it seems like they never stopped touring, it’s because they haven’t taken a month off since they resumed touring in June 2021 post-pandemic. On Friday night, June 2nd, they played ArtPark in Lewiston, NY.
The crowd at ArtPark was about as large as I’ve ever seen. Besides a capacity standing GA in front of the stage, the fields were full of fans who had brought their own chairs and even the walkways to the vendors and bathrooms were full of standing patrons watching the video of Styx on the large screen. The band kicked off the show with “To Those” from thei most recent album before digging back into their discography with 1978’s “Blue Collar Man” and their first top ten hit “Lady” from 1972. Styx was in fine form with vocalist/keyboardist Lawrence Gowan bouncing all around the stage, constantly engaging with the crowd, and guitarists Tommy Shaw, JY Young, Will Evankovich and bassist Ricky Phillips rocking out with smiles on their faces. Drummer Todd Sucherman was the only one who looked grim but it may just be his rock and roll face. Their setlist was a collection of rock classics, even their deeper cuts. The vocalists Gowan, Shaw and Young were on point, only occasionally a little flat on the high notes, not unexpected given the age of these combatants. Given the positive reviews of their last two records, I don’t see why Styx couldn’t continue to put out new music and tour as long as they’re physically able.
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