Presto-digitation Posted September 4, 2011 Share Posted September 4, 2011 First time in 10 years, though for the fifth time total since 1991. Beautiful setting, out on the south terrace of the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC. Maybe 1,000 people total. 4th row, center. Eye contact with Shaw a few times. Hung out at the bus and saw them all up close before they departed for the stage. These guys haven't lost a step. Shaw at 58 looks and sounds better than most guys 30 years his junior and the musicianship is just as tight as it has ever been. The playing...the harmonies. Wonderful. Made me sing loudly, I'll tell ya. Anyone dismissing this band as ragged, balladeering, AOR corporate crooners have clearly never seen them live. They were loud, Sucherman knocked out false teeth with his double kick, and the band rocked the blue clear off the silver-headed folk in the audience. What a fun, fun show by a band whose setlist might be largely stale, but who still enjoys giving a top-rate performance night in and out on a level that most bands only aspire to. I say stale, but the highlights of the night were a handful of lesser knowns, such as the brilliant Man In The Wilderness, the surprising I'm OK, and the impressive Castle Walls...all of which tickled me to no end. No opening act. Just a taut, intimate 90 minutes with a wonderful band on a gorgeous late summer evening with the most popular U.S. residence ever constructed lit from below as a backdrop to the audience. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigman208 Posted September 4, 2011 Share Posted September 4, 2011 Saw these guys 2 years ago in Niagara Falls, Ontario at the casino from 7th row on the floor. They put on a hell of a show thats for sure!!! The only problem I had with that show was the predictable setlist, but that did not take away from their amazing performance all around. I'm so happy though that they have added a few hidden gems to the setlist, its about time!! I really want/hope to see these guys again in the near future. When I do, I really hope they play Queen Of Spades (which I know they have played the odd time this year! ). Hell of a song. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tommy Sawyer Posted September 4, 2011 Share Posted September 4, 2011 Yes I saw them last October during the Grand Illusion/PoE tour and again this July during the Yes/Styx tour. They are amazing live! I'm OK and Castle Walls were both highlights for me last fall. Crystal Ball and Fooling Yourself were highlights this summer, although I was really there to see Yes. They are tight and as you mentioned, Tommy Shaw's voice is AMAZING. Glad you got to see them again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MCM Posted September 4, 2011 Share Posted September 4, 2011 QUOTE (Presto-digitation @ Sep 4 2011, 09:48 AM) First time in 10 years, though for the fifth time total since 1991. Beautiful setting, out on the south terrace of the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC. Maybe 1,000 people total. 4th row, center. Eye contact with Shaw a few times. Hung out at the bus and saw them all up close before they departed for the stage. These guys haven't lost a step. Shaw at 58 looks and sounds better than most guys 30 years his junior and the musicianship is just as tight as it has ever been. The playing...the harmonies. Wonderful. Made me sing loudly, I'll tell ya. Anyone dismissing this band as ragged, balladeering, AOR corporate crooners have clearly never seen them live. They were loud, Sucherman knocked out false teeth with his double kick, and the band rocked the blue clear off the silver-headed folk in the audience. What a fun, fun show by a band whose setlist might be largely stale, but who still enjoys giving a top-rate performance night in and out on a level that most bands only aspire to. I say stale, but the highlights of the night were a handful of lesser knowns, such as the brilliant Man In The Wilderness, the surprising I'm OK, and the impressive Castle Walls...all of which tickled me to no end. No opening act. Just a taut, intimate 90 minutes with a wonderful band on a gorgeous late summer evening with the most popular U.S. residence ever constructed lit from below as a backdrop to the audience. I'm such a Styx junkie, it makes me happy when they make other people happy. I saw this same show four days ago in Pittsburgh, they always deliver, it was hot and humid and they played at 100% despite that. Todd is a rock solid monster, Tommy's voice hasn't faded a bit and for the most part, I prefer Larry to DDY. The four voices, JY, Tommy, Larry and Ricky, really blend well on the choruses. They are spot on every time I see them, doesn't seem like they ever have an off night that I've seen. Castle Walls was a pleasant surprise along with Queen of Spades. Glad you enjoyed the show. (if I can be a chick for a moment TS does look just as good as he did 30 years ago, possibly better) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColdFireYYZ Posted September 4, 2011 Share Posted September 4, 2011 I saw them last year with Kansas & Foreigner and this year with Yes and they are simply amazing live. They have so much energy for a bunch of guys in their late 50's - 60's. The show with Yes was my favorite. Highlights were Man In The Wilderness, One With Everything and Miss America. My only complaint was they didn't have time to play Crystal Ball, one of my favorites. All in all they are a great live band even without Deyoung. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ancient Ways Posted September 4, 2011 Share Posted September 4, 2011 Shaw has that youthful look that's for sure. Seeing them at the Biltmore must have been awesome - beautiful place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laughedatbytime Posted September 4, 2011 Share Posted September 4, 2011 QUOTE (ColdFireYYZ @ Sep 4 2011, 11:06 AM) All in all they are a great live band even without Deyoung. You misspelled "especially". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColdFireYYZ Posted September 4, 2011 Share Posted September 4, 2011 (edited) QUOTE (laughedatbytime @ Sep 4 2011, 02:35 PM) QUOTE (ColdFireYYZ @ Sep 4 2011, 11:06 AM) All in all they are a great live band even without Deyoung. You misspelled "especially". I do like some of his songs but they are so much better off without him. Edited September 4, 2011 by ColdFireYYZ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nappy2112 Posted September 4, 2011 Share Posted September 4, 2011 They told the crowd at our show this 13 straight years of touring. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tommy Sawyer Posted September 5, 2011 Share Posted September 5, 2011 QUOTE (ColdFireYYZ @ Sep 4 2011, 02:37 PM) QUOTE (laughedatbytime @ Sep 4 2011, 02:35 PM) QUOTE (ColdFireYYZ @ Sep 4 2011, 11:06 AM) All in all they are a great live band even without Deyoung. You misspelled "especially". I do like some of his songs but they are so much better off without him. Lawrence Gowan is AMAZING! I think in the end, the departure of DeYoung only helped them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Earthshine Posted September 5, 2011 Share Posted September 5, 2011 I am sorry. I just can't get excited about this band without DeYoung and the Panazzo brothers. I remember Styx as this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4_q71gIH98 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Znv0Nj5iKk&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDkW462K_Bw&feature=related Now that was great! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColdFireYYZ Posted September 5, 2011 Share Posted September 5, 2011 QUOTE (Tommy Sawyer @ Sep 4 2011, 09:05 PM) QUOTE (ColdFireYYZ @ Sep 4 2011, 02:37 PM) QUOTE (laughedatbytime @ Sep 4 2011, 02:35 PM) QUOTE (ColdFireYYZ @ Sep 4 2011, 11:06 AM) All in all they are a great live band even without Deyoung. You misspelled "especially". I do like some of his songs but they are so much better off without him. Lawrence Gowan is AMAZING! I think in the end, the departure of DeYoung only helped them. Have you listened to his solo stuff? A lot of it is very poppy but the self titled debut is worth a listen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xanadude69 Posted September 5, 2011 Share Posted September 5, 2011 I saw Styx 3 years ago in Baltimore and it was one of the best shows I have ever been to. These guys still have it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tangy Posted September 5, 2011 Share Posted September 5, 2011 QUOTE (Presto-digitation @ Sep 4 2011, 09:48 AM) First time in 10 years, though for the fifth time total since 1991. Beautiful setting, out on the south terrace of the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC. Maybe 1,000 people total. 4th row, center. Eye contact with Shaw a few times. Hung out at the bus and saw them all up close before they departed for the stage. These guys haven't lost a step. Shaw at 58 looks and sounds better than most guys 30 years his junior and the musicianship is just as tight as it has ever been. The playing...the harmonies. Wonderful. Made me sing loudly, I'll tell ya. Anyone dismissing this band as ragged, balladeering, AOR corporate crooners have clearly never seen them live. They were loud, Sucherman knocked out false teeth with his double kick, and the band rocked the blue clear off the silver-headed folk in the audience. What a fun, fun show by a band whose setlist might be largely stale, but who still enjoys giving a top-rate performance night in and out on a level that most bands only aspire to. I say stale, but the highlights of the night were a handful of lesser knowns, such as the brilliant Man In The Wilderness, the surprising I'm OK, and the impressive Castle Walls...all of which tickled me to no end. No opening act. Just a taut, intimate 90 minutes with a wonderful band on a gorgeous late summer evening with the most popular U.S. residence ever constructed lit from below as a backdrop to the audience. Sounds like you had quite the weekend! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The K Man Posted September 5, 2011 Share Posted September 5, 2011 Gowan's on-stage antics are embarrassingly awful, but the rest of the band still kicks ass. Saw them back in July and they put on a helluva show. While Tommy Shaw has lost a little bit of his voice, he still sounds pretty damn good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1 of the 7 Posted September 6, 2011 Share Posted September 6, 2011 Saw them last year and concur with what's been said! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happenstance Posted September 30, 2011 Share Posted September 30, 2011 Saw them last weekend with my husband and there was practically a revolt in the house when my two boys found out. Easily the best Styx concert we've ever been to, and we've been to alot! Lawrence Gowan is definitely a huge asset to the band and Tommy - God that man is dreamy!! And Tommy's got himself some serious guns these days!! I was a goner when he sang "Crystal Ball" - it's always a great concert when Geddy or Tommy make me cry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
launchpad67a Posted September 30, 2011 Share Posted September 30, 2011 My band opened for them on this tour, in Arizona in May. They rocked the amphitheater! Chuck Panozzo made an appearance and played a few tunes. All great guys. JY and Tommy both came off the bus and stood at stage left to watch out set. They loved it. Photos http://hphotos-sjc1.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc6/244004_10150192109109728_602099727_6630613_4842977_o.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rushman14 Posted September 30, 2011 Share Posted September 30, 2011 saw them a couple of months ago with Yes. They pretty much blew Yes off the stage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rush Cocky Posted September 30, 2011 Share Posted September 30, 2011 Saw them 4 years ago here in Columbia. That was my first time, and they were very, very good! They are coming to the South Carolina State Fair on October 15th, and I'm gonna see if I can get tickets to go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GhostGirl Posted September 30, 2011 Share Posted September 30, 2011 Anybody know where Tommy Shaw is from? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rush Cocky Posted September 30, 2011 Share Posted September 30, 2011 QUOTE (GhostGirl @ Sep 30 2011, 01:38 PM) Anybody know where Tommy Shaw is from? That would be "Sweet Home..oh, you know" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happenstance Posted September 30, 2011 Share Posted September 30, 2011 Montgomery to be exact - cute kinda faded southern accent going on. He tells the story about getting discovered in a bowling alley, I think it is, right before he breaks into "Crystal Ball". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColdFireYYZ Posted October 1, 2011 Share Posted October 1, 2011 QUOTE (Rushman14 @ Sep 30 2011, 12:22 PM) saw them a couple of months ago with Yes. They pretty much blew Yes off the stage. It was sad how much better they were than Yes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nappy2112 Posted October 1, 2011 Share Posted October 1, 2011 QUOTE (ColdFireYYZ @ Sep 30 2011, 10:49 PM) QUOTE (Rushman14 @ Sep 30 2011, 12:22 PM) saw them a couple of months ago with Yes. They pretty much blew Yes off the stage. It was sad how much better they were than Yes. not at my venue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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