FROM THE PIT TO THE CROWD: STYX – ST. AUGUSTINE AMPHITHEATRE – ST. AUGUSTINE – JUNE 16, 2021

As Summer makes it’s way through the state of Florida there are things you can pretty much guarantee a few things. Rain storms will come and go in the late afternoons, the humidity will be high, and outdoor concerts will be plenty. With artists beginning to tour again the Summer shows in Florida are kicking off strong. Styx started off their first tour since the pandemic shut things down in March 2020.

Styx will be making a tour run with Collective Soul this Summer to celebrate their 18th studio album releasing on June 18, 2021 titled Crash of the Crown. And if you’re a Styx fan you should be excited for the new album and new tour. It should be a fantastic run for Styx. But, before they meet up with Collective Soul, the band was doing a solo show at the beautiful St. Augustine Amphitheatre to a sold out crowd. Tommy Shaw (vocals, guitar), Lawrence Gowan (vocals, keyboards), James “JY” Young (vocals, guitar), Chuck Panozzo (bass), Ricky Phillips (bass), and Todd Sucherman (drums) were more than ready to rock out. Also with the band was touring musician Will Evankovich (mandolin).

It was a magical moment for media and fans the moment Styx hit the stage. The audience erupted into cheers and applause and you could see the band members were elated from the response. It’s been a long time for them and for the fans to have this moment occur and everyone was relishing it. They opened up with “The Fight of Our Lives” from Crash of the Crown. A fantastic opening song from its anthemic vibe and wonderful harmony from Lawrence, Tommy, and “JY”. I was loving it and the crowd was amped for more. Styx played 3 more from the new album with “Reveries” which has a wonderful acoustic guitar sound, “Sound the Alarm”, a beautiful power ballad, and the title track “Crash of the Crown”, which truly has that Styx sound, ebbs and flows, that their fans love. Truly a great track.

Since there was no opener for the evening, Styx gave the fans two whole sets with an intermission in between. During the first set Tommy spoke to the crowd how happy and excited he was to be back on stage and in front of all the fans. He also swore off wearing sweatpants ever again claiming that’s all he wore during the pandemic. You could truly see how happy he was to be back on the stage. The first set had a great selection of songs to get the crowd moving with “Too Much Time on My Hands” (where “JY” is buying per Tommy Shaw) from their 1981 album Paradise Theater, “Blue Collar Man (Long Nights)” from the 1978 album Pieces of Eight, and “Light Up” from the 1975 album Equinox. Of course, Lawrence nailed it performing “Rockin’ The Paradise” wishing he had a shiny jacket and hat, which were provided to him the moment he said it. I love his onstage presence as his personality and flair lights up the stage and the crowd.

The second set had original founding Styx member Chuck Panozzo getting on stage. The band had a great selection of songs including “Miss America” from the 1977 album The Grand Illusion. “JY” always does such a beautiful job vocally with it and truly beams on stage during the performance. “Crystal Ball” the title track from the 1976 album always gives me goosebumps between their set lighting, Tommy‘s vocals, and the harmony from the band. And Lawrence nailing “Come Sail Away” from The Grand Illusion always has the fans on their feet. And I can’t leave out the phenomal bass riffs that came from both Ricky and Chuck during the show. Todd as always is the master of the drums who had this monstrous drumkit on stage and ripped out the beats so perfectly. And Will on the mandolin was such a wonderful addition to the music providing the songs another level of harmony.

Of course, it wouldn’t be Styx if they didn’t do an encore that night. This time they performed “Mr. Roboto” from the 1983 Killroy Was Here, a song they only recently added more frequently into the setlist over the past few years. And honestly, I’m glad they did. Lawrence does an amazing job with it vocally and the band performs it perfectly. Styx wrapped up the set with probably my overall favorite single “Renegade” from Pieces of Eight. The moment they hit the first note I was jamming and the singing along at the first lyric to the end.

The full setlist from that night is listed below:

Set 1:

1. The Fight of Our Lives
2. The Grand Illusion
3. Too Much Time on My Hands
4. Lady
5. Reveries
6. Light Up
7. Blue Collar Man (Long Nights)
8. Red Storm
9. Rockin’ The Paradise
10. Suite Madame Blue

Set 2:

1. Gone Gone Gone
2. Miss America
3. Sound the Alarm
4. Crystal Ball
5. Crash of the Crown
6. Khedive
7. Fooling Yourself (The Angry Young Man)
8. Come Sail Away

Encore:

1. Mr. Roboto
2. Renegade

The wonderful piece about this show was seeing, first, so many fans back out again to support their love of Styx, and fans of all ages there at the show. In the row ahead of me was this young boy who was literally singing to every song. He knew all the words and was so thrilled to be there to see Styx live. That’s what makes their shows so special and unique. Great rock tunes, family friendly, and the band gives it their all on stage to ensure the fans are happy. I would never pass up a Styx show anytime they come close to my area. And you shouldn’t either!

Head over to their website at styxworld.com to pick up their new album Crash of the Crown, tickets to their tour with Collective Soul, and tons of merchandise!