Styx with John Waite – Renegades & Juke Box Heroes
PNC Bank Arts Center – Holmdel, NJ – July 23, 2024
Review & Photos -Rebecca Wolf
https://www.instagram.com/rebeccawolfconcertphotos/
This summer the heat and humidity in the Northeast have been oppressive. Most people have attempted to remain indoors, chilling in the comfort of the comfortable, cool air. However, there are some musical performances that neither the heat nor the humidity can deter passionate, enthusiastic fans from attending. Millennials and Gen Zers may believe they have the concert market cornered and that the industry revolves around the artists and music of their generation. However, some of today’s biggest live musical acts (aside from Taylor Swift) remain artists from the 70s and 80s, who continue to be adored by Gen Yers and even Baby Boomers. Bands like the Rolling Stones, the Eagles, Bruce Springsteen, Elton John, Billy Joel, Paul McCartney and Journey (to name a few), perform for tens of thousands of fans in arenas and stadiums across the US. Additional bands, including The Doobie Brothers, Chicago, Earth, Wind & Fire, Foreigner, REO Speedwagon and Styx, continue to sell out performances, predominantly to fans who came of age during those decades, connecting them to the bands that made a significant and lasting imprint on them in their younger years.
Many of these artists now tour together, creating blockbuster summer tours. It’s the perfect opportunity for audiences to experience a night of multiple fan favorites. On July 23rd the Renegades & Juke Box Heroes tour arrived at PNC Bank Arts Center. The tour includes Styx and Foreigner, with John Waite opening for the two bands. While John Waite is the “opening act” that does not diminish his stance in the industry, nor with fans, as he has quite the musical resume, including lead vocalist for the rock bands The Babys and Bad English, and as a solo artist, who’s released ten studio albums. Waite is best known for the 1984 hit single, “Missing You, which reached #1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 Chart.
Unlike tours with unknown openers, Waite has a broad fanbase who were in their seats, engaged and ready for the performance and Waite did not disappoint. Waite’s attention to his performance appeared laser-focused throughout his 40-minute set, his facial expressions often appearing stoic or solemn. As Waite sang, played guitar and moved about the stage his vocals were dynamic, powerful and as rock and roll as ever. Performing with Waite were his long-time band members, drummer Alan Childs and bassist Tim Hogan, as well as Matchbox Twenty’s guitarist, Kyle Cook. Waite’s set included fan favorites from across his musical career, including The Babys’ “Midnight Rendezvous,” Every Time I Think of You,” “Head First,” and “Back on My Feet Again, Bad English’s “When I See You Smile,” and of course Waite’s hit “Missing You.” Audience members enthusiastically sang along as Waite performed, often closing his eyes to seemingly take in the energy and excitement of the adoring crowd and triumphantly raising his arms in the air.
While there was energy and excitement for John Waite, there was an explosion of electricity in the audience and onstage with the arrival of Styx. The stage instantly became bathed in vividly colored lights as the powerful notes of “The Grand Illusion”wafted through the amphitheater and further invigorated the crowd. The most thrilling aspect of a Styx performance is that it IS actually thrilling. I have yet to witness a Styx performance when the band members were not fully energized, abounding with exuberance and obviously passionate about performing for the crowd before them. Not only do lead singer/guitarist Tommy Shaw’s vocal skills remain incredibly powerful and dynamic (just listen to him singing “Fooling Yourself (The Angry Young Man)”) but it’s virtually impossible to believe Shaw is 70 years old, as he jumped in the air, raced across the stage and climbed stairs to the stage’s upper level.
James JY Young, a lead guitarist since the band’s formation, furiously jammed on his guitar with a twinkle in his eye and a grin across his face, as he connected with the crowd from the edge of the stage, and met with band members centerstage for jamming duos. Young and Shaw are the only members who’ve been in the band since the 1970s. (Original member Chuck Panozzo joins the band at some performances for a song or two.) However, Styx’s additional lead vocalist and keyboardist, Lawrence Gowan, has been a member for 25 years. Not only is Gowan’s voice phenomenal, as evidenced by the depth, richness and power of his vocals on”Lorelei,” “Lady” and “Come Sail Away,” but Gowan’s dynamic energy and high-spirts cannot be paralleled. As with every Styx performance, it was hard to not have your attention drawn to Gowan, as he swiftly circled around his keyboard, raced about the stage and smiled with his broad Cheshire grin.
If one Gowan wasn’t enough exhilaration, Styx has added a second, by way of bass player, Terry Gowan. Terry, Lawrence’s younger brother, has replaced bassist Ricky Phillips, who departed after 21 years. Terry has wasted no time acclimating to the band’s energy level since joining them onstage in March 2024. Like his older brother, Terry exuded passion and joy as he jammed on his bass and travelled around the stage, raising the neck of his bass in the air. The other “new” member of the band is Will Evankovich, songwriter and producer on the band’s last two albums, who officially joined as guitarist and backing vocalist in 2021. The band’s final member, drummer Todd Sucherman, has been with Styx for 29 years. While Sucherman is tucked away at the back of the stage, almost hidden behind his drum kit, his dynamic, powerful beats are essential factors in keeping the band’s rhythmic sound and energy.
Beyond the band members’ energy and enthusiasm, the thrill of attending a Styx performance is of course the incredible music. For any Styx fan, hearing these songs performed live is like sitting in a time machine. It instantly takes you on a fantastical, thrilling ride back in time. No matter what song the band was singing fans were fully invested and singing along to beloved Styx’s numbers, including “The Best of Times,” “Blue Collar Man (Long Nights)” and “Too Much Time on My Hands”. Even when the songs were from the band’s newest album, Crash of the Crown, and fans didn’t have the same youthful connections, many could be heard joining in and singing along with the band.
After the band said their goodbyes and departed the stage all present remained locked in place, as every Styx fan knew it was not yet the end. The brief wait was rewarded, as band members returned to perform their hits “Mr. Roboto” and “Renegade”. Nothing was like the cacophony of sound throughout the amphitheater as all in attendance sang along in full gusto. What a thrill to be present for a Styx performance and to witness their music continuing to generate as much joy and passion as when the songs were written decades ago.
Unfortunately, I was not present for Foreigner (sometimes band contracts get in the way) but I’ve been told fans were thrilled by the performance…maybe next time. Rest assured, I believe there will be a next time for all of these bands from the 70s and 80s, who continue to be adored by Gen Yers and even Baby Boomers…and maybe even some of their children and grandchildren who have learned about great music from their elders.
