The Midwest classic rock band’s Meijer Gardens debut on Thursday was an arena-styled affair for an exuberant sold-out crowd. (Review, photo gallery)
Awesome Place for a Rock Show: Styx guitarist Tommy Shaw and his bandmates relished their Meijer Gardens debut. (Photo/Anna Sink)
There was a time when Styx ruled the rock world – in its own pop-hued, prog-rock-made-for-commercial-radio way.
Support our coverage of
West Michigan's music scene
Revved-Up Fan: Styx played to a sold-out amphtiheater. (Photo/Anna Sink)
And while the band doesn’t rule the airwaves or the New Millennium music world the way it once did, these Midwest guys still uncork an arena-styled,
full-bore rock show complete with a two-level stage, glitzy lights, stage posturing, tight black jeans and, yes, a spinning keyboard.
But don’t let “The Grand Illusion” of all that bombast and schlockery fool you: Styx still delivers those chart-topping hits in flawless fashion with incredibly precise musicianship and razor-tight four-part harmonies that sound just the way fans want them to sound.
Indeed, those staunch devotees – some 1,900 of them packing a sold-out amphitheater of mostly baby boomers at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park on Thursday night – were converts long before they even strolled into the venue: They stood and sang to nearly every note from the get-go, cheering the opening salvo of “The Grand Illusion,” “Too Much Time on My Hands” and “Lady” as if it was the 1970s and 1980s all over again.
Singing Along and Playing Every Note: Hudsonville fan Chris Huvaere. (Photo/John Sinkevics)
And despite the sometimes-sappy approach, the band clearly relished its Meijer Gardens debut and the chance to play a longer, headlining show after touring with Def Leppard and Tesla.
“We’re adding some stuff we haven’t played in a while,” guitarist and singer Tommy Shaw said, before playing a century-old Michigan-made mandolin on “Boat on the River,” from 1979’s “Cornerstone.”
Indeed, Shaw waxed nostalgic about his Michigan roots and his years living in Niles, Mich., where he says he wrote several of the songs Styx played on Thursday night. “They’ve got Michigan all over ’em,” he crowed, then later gushed: “What an awesome place for a rock show.”
Guitarist James “JY” Young heaped more praise on the venue, calling Meijer Gardens “a magnificent place,” thus getting the expected glowing reaction from a crowd that couldn’t seem to get enough of familiar favorites “Light Up,” “Man in the Wilderness,” “Miss America,” “Crystal Ball” and “Blue Collar Man.”
Blue-Collar Man: James “JY” Young (Photo/Anna Sink)
(West Michigan singer-songwriter Josh Rose opened the show on an evening full of summer splendor, enjoying his opportunity to showcase his compelling songs and genial demeanor for a new audience. “It was awesome. It was great,” he said later, noting he sold a steady stream of CD at the merchandise tent after his set.)
After “Rockin’ the Paradise” of Meijer Gardens on Thursday, don’t be surprised if Styx demands to return to the venue in future years for exuberantly nostalgic West Michiganders who revel in watching a bunch of guys do what they do very, very well.
Because for one night – at least, for one bunch of diehard disciples – Styx ruled the world all over again.
STYX PHOTO GALLERY: Photos by Anna Sink
