07.19.2011 - STYX @ Verizon Wireless
August 2, 2011
Verizon Wireless
Indianapolis, IN
Despite the fact that this show was in a huge open-air venue, the combination of 95+ degree heat, 80% humidity, and distinct lack of any sort of breeze made it feel like a sweaty rock show in a small club. YES took the stage after opener Shane Anderson got the noticeably small crowd ready for a night of rock with a few songs – just a man and his guitar.
YES has been around for many more years than I have even been alive, and as such have seen many different iterations of the band. This iteration came pretty close to sounding like the original, and there were a ton of YES-heads there who showed their agreement with that statement with every song they sang each and every word to, giant smile plastered on their faces, and each time one of them begged security guard to let them get up close to snap that perfect picture. I have a feeling these guys aren’t as rockin’ as they once were in their heyday, but they still do put on a good show. As cheesy as it may be, my favorite of their set was “Owner of a Lonely Heart”, which I grew up listening to on the radio in the 80’s.
STYX made their presence on the stage known in a big way. Out of the shadows emerged the quartet of rockers, hardly looking their age, and certainly not acting it. This show just oozed rock – I’m talking keyboardist Lawrence Gowan rockin’ out like a madman on a pivoting keyboard, at times even throwing his leg up on this whirling-dervish of an instrument. There were several times that 2-3 members of STYX were center-stage, on their knees, shredding on those guitars as if they were playing to the Rock gods.
As a special treat for the crowd, STYX brought out their original bass player, Chuck Panozzo mid-show to play a song with the band. STYX didn’t disappoint their long-time, very loyal fans, playing some of their biggest hits like “Come Sail Away”, “Lady”, and “Too Much Time on My Hands”. After many decades in the music business, these guys still come out to party like they’re still in their 20’s. I’m certainly floored that we had the chance to experience some legends in a live setting, the way music is meant to be heard!
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