Disappointing Atlanta Show

[BidForGreen]

I want to give a report on the show I saw at Wild Bills in the north Atlanta suburbs on Friday evening. This was the first show I’ve seen with the new lineup. I did see both the Return to Paradise Theater show at Chastain Park in Atlanta in 1996 and the Grand Illusion tour at Lakewood in 1997. Obviously these were much larger arenas. Similar to last night, Styx was the headliner. They played with the Atlanta Symphony at Chastain in 96 and Pat Benatar opened for them in 1997. Chastain was a sellout and Lakewood was pretty close to one as well. I will break it down point by point.

The setting – Wild Bills is a converted Service Merchandise Store – so obviously it was not designed with a concert setting in mind. It is kind of a big warehouse kind of a setup with a stage at the end of the building – a huge floor infront of the building and bars/beer stands on each side. I have no idea of estimating the number of people – 1500? Obviously much fewer than on the other two tours that I saw – which were probably in the 6,000 (Chastain) – 10,000 range (Lakewood)

The wait – The doors of Wild Bills opened at 7:30. Styx was supposed to appear at 9:30. They didn’t come on the stage until 11:02 according to my watch. People around us were getting a bit impatient. As one of my friends pointed out, “There’s a fine line between building anticipation and pissing people off”. Unfortunately, I think Styx was closer to the latter than the former.

The sound – Maybe it was the building (I.e. I doubt the Service Merchandise was ever thought of to be a concern venue), but it was HORRIBLE. It was way too loud and the acoustics were absolutely horrid. Garbled lyrics, a lot of reverberation in the guitars, and not a good meshing of voices at all. The loudness was much higher than any Styx concert I remember and it was obnoxious. I was really wishing that I had brought earplugs. The sound in 96 and 97 was way better.

The show – When Styx finally came on they opened with Blue Collar Man – which I personally felt to be an odd choice, but it went over reasonably well. They spun right into Grand Illusion and Lorelei without saying anything to the crowd. Then Gowan did “State Street Sadie” on the piano and I thought for a moment they would do “Best of Times” but that segmented into “Lady”. Others have posted the song list so I won’t repeat that here. Enjoyed hearing Boat on the River, Crystal Ball, and a snippet of Man In The Wilderness.

The players –
Tommy Shaw – Tommy’s vocals were okay – not as good as the last time I saw him in 97, but decent. He also did not have nearly the energy level that I remember him having – I hate to say this, but he kind of was going through the motions. Not a real inspired performance. Maybe that is what happens in a decade of being on the road 24/7. Tommy is definitely seen as the leader on stage.

JY – JY actually LOOKS better than he did and seems happy. He definitely has more leadership on stage vs. the two previous times. I had a hard time getting around him singing Lorelei, but that might just be me. He made one flub when introducing “Snowblind” when he said “Some think this song is about the snow – like the snow you all had a few months ago here in Atlanta” JY – it was a few days ago not months!

Gowan – Gowan has more energy than anyone in the band except Todd. His spinning keyboards were an interesting trick at first, but then come off a bit arrogant. I’ve heard he is a great concert pianist and he did do a few short numbers on the keyboards, but I don’t think he is as good as Steve Walsh, Billy Joel, or Elton John (all who I’ve seen). Now, for the bad part. His vocals are not good. Maybe it was the sound, but I felt like I was hearing Alvin and the Chipmunks sing Lady and Grand Illusion. His voice was much better suited for the I am the Walrus cover tune. And this Polaroid thing he does, again, the first time entertaining, but then gets real old real fast. He tries hard though to make himself unique and different

Ricky – Totally non existent, he adds little if anything to the show. But then again he’s a bass player, but I just don’t find anything exciting there.

Todd – Todd is a mass of energy and I respect his drum playing. He is kind of in the background and besides the introduction during Renegade is not really given much of a chance in the spotlight.

Chuck – Chuck came out, and that was nice to see. He obviously though isn’t doing very well because he was having a noticeably hard time walking around on stage. I was toward the front, and I noticed that when the lights went down, band members were having to physically help him off the stage. Sad.

Song selection – If you are a fan of Styx 1975-1978, it was probably a good show. If you want to hear much from Cornerstone on – you were disappointed. My friend (a casual Styx fan) said, "I thought I would recognize a lot more songs. I was disappointed they didn't play more songs I knew."

Overall show – When I saw Styx in 96 and 97, there was a magic about the show. From the introduction to Paradise theater, to the fireworks, to the coming out of boxes in Grand Illusion, it was just cool. This introduction was about as boring as it comes. They came up on stage. No magic entrance, no enthusiasm, little excitement. Just came and started playing BCM. That was disappointing. There was just nothing special there. And, outside of Gowan and Todd, the energy was a bit lacking. Not a lot of running around stage (maybe their just too old!).

The crowd was into CSA, Renegade, and a few others, but a few songs – the new ones especially were just appreciated and not really embraced.

Overall, I was disappointed. I was hoping that with all this touring they would be sharp, focused, and tight. Instead, they were off vocally, lacked energy, and were going through the motions. I wouldn’t pay to see them again.

[kmd2009]

Thans for the review. I agree, they are not as good as they use to be and Tommy should quit and go hide. lol Just kidding. I have seen some youtube clips and Tommy looks like he is not into it anymore. I don't care what he says about being happy about it, he's a good liar.

[tommyluvr2]

I still really enjoy the concerts but have to agree that they have done so many shows, that they definately seems to be just going thru the motions. Tommy kind of goes into a trance and performs. If you think the longer show was disappointing, you should see the 45 minute show when they are out with Def Leppard, its sad. Tommy should go out with Shaw/Blades he is so much better in that setting, Styx needs to take a break and they all should go out and do other things, just my opinion.

The doors of Wild Bills opened at 7:30. Styx was supposed to appear at 9:30. They didn’t come on the stage until 11:02 according to my watch... hmmm they normally hit the stage pretty much on time unless they are told to hold for some reason, I wonder what happened to make them take the stage so late.

Denise

[piecesofeight]

My friend (a casual Styx fan) said, "I thought I would recognize a lot more songs. I was disappointed they didn't play more songs I knew."

Exactly..they want to hear more songs they know..songs from the radio..songs that were hits..which mostly were DDY songs..mostly I said..bascially the one's that were Tommy's get played.

[piecesofeight]

Thans for the review. I agree, they are not as good as they use to be and Tommy should quit and go hide. lol Just kidding. I have seen some youtube clips and Tommy looks like he is not into it anymore. I don't care what he says about being happy about it, he's a good liar.

You are correct, Tommy is not as happy as he may try and come off with the whole 'Styx' thing anymore. He needs to do more accoustic stuff..he is a natural..needs to do more with Jack Blades..and WILL do something with Dennis. The Styx wagon will not go on..because it won't/shouldn't without Tommy. How many will follow a JY led Styx?

[kmd2009]

Thans for the review. I agree, they are not as good as they use to be and Tommy should quit and go hide. lol Just kidding. I have seen some youtube clips and Tommy looks like he is not into it anymore. I don't care what he says about being happy about it, he's a good liar.

You are correct, Tommy is not as happy as he may try and come off with the whole 'Styx' thing anymore. He needs to do more accoustic stuff..he is a natural..needs to do more with Jack Blades..and WILL do something with Dennis. The Styx wagon will not go on..because it won't/shouldn't without Tommy. How many will follow a JY led Styx?

Thank you. Tommy cares about the fans, it just looks like he wants to move on and I don't know if he wants to upset JY about that and thats why I think he won't move on.

[stabbim]

His spinning keyboards were an interesting trick at first, but then come off a bit arrogant.

I've never understood the antipathy for the spinning keyboard in general, and now the word "arrogant" adds yet another layer of mystery.

[Grotelul]

Everyone seems to be a mind reader now don't they. Tommy has never spoken that he is giving up Styx anytime soon and with it being the thing he does that brings in the moolah, don't think he will be giving it up for awhile..even to the dismay of many here.

[Roboto750]

I was at this show too and have posted the set list. I have seen this line up several times and I have to admit that this was a pretty weak show. I blame the venue for most of it. There were so many damn distractions with the bar tender ladies swinging their lights, people talking and moving about, etc. The band seemed kind of tired or something though. It was fun overall, but something seemed lacking. As far as Gowan goes, I've been okay with him for a while, but I have to say I'm getting a little tired of his performances of DDY songs (except for "Grand Illusion" - he rocks on that). There were a few small variations in the set list, but overall it’s pretty much the same. Heck, by the time they start into "Fooling Yourself" I can tell you how the rest will play out (sometimes even earlier). The song intros never change either. I agree that Ricky still seems very much in the background and I don't really see it being worth Chuck coming out to all of the shows that he does anymore. It’s nice to see him, but if his health is that bad, then why travel all that way just to do two or three songs each time?

Another thing I want to point out is all of this "green" stuff the band is doing to promote themselves. They have a whole section on their site right now and give away/sell these "eco-friendly" tote bags at each show. I think the environment is very important (I've done my fair share of service projects), but I don't see this as an effective vehicle for the band to promote themselves. Heck, they (JY) have problems doing songs like "Babe" and "Mr. Roboto", because they alienate fans. I don't see those being any more harmful than this (yes, this includes performing "Everything all the Time" - yuck). I have to say that I really liked the part of Friday's show where Tommy said something about the environment and gave away a tote bag, just minutes after firing confetti into the audience during "Come Sail Away." How many trees died for that confetti? I love the effect and want it to stay, but it did get me thinking.....

Will I see Styx again? Yes, but it would really be nice to see something fresh from them. I don't mean new songs. I mean a totally revamped set list with a few treats mixed in for the diehards. Also, some new stage set up would be nice. It doesn't have to be over done and expensive, but some change would be nice. I loved what they had back around 02/03. It has been scaled back much from then.

Until then, I just pray that DDY will actually come somewhere near Atlanta for a solo show. He is LONG overdue (he hasn't made it yet)!

[bugsymalone]

The only things I will comment on regarding Tommy are, for a really creative person like he is, playing these endless, repetitive road shows would bound to get to him by now. However, that said, the money is rolling in. It would be dumber than dumb to just quit that cash cow right now. So he soldiers on.

(Note: I base the above comments on numerous posts of first-hand observations and comments by those who have been to Current Styx shows lately.)

Bugsy

[sadie65]

I would imagine any performer would get tired of doing the same basic act, regardless of set changes. I often wonder how people in theater are able to make something fresh night after night.

At the show(s) I attended they did indeed look like they more often than not just going through the motions. Now I say that not as criticism, for I think it's pretty hard to act excited and into something when you aren't. I also think that none of us here hasn't had times at our jobs where we went through the motions. In their case though, it's amplified simply because everyone is watching them work, whereas the majority of us has anonymity going for us...that and a much smaller audience scrutinizing our moves.

They may enjoy being on the road that often...then again, maybe, just maybe they are beginning not to.

Peace to all

[kmd2009]

There are clips on youtube if you want to see the disappointing show. The clips are lousy though.

[Everett]

There are clips on youtube if you want to see the disappointing show. The clips are lousy though.

Clips are fine. Sound is horrible. How do peeps get away with recording? You would think security would kick them out right away don't ya think?

[kmd2009]

There are clips on youtube if you want to see the disappointing show. The clips are lousy though.

Clips are fine. Sound is horrible. How do peeps get away with recording? You would think security would kick them out right away don't ya think?

That's what I meant. They people who film them don't mean it, it just turns out that way.

[Roboto750]

There are clips on youtube if you want to see the disappointing show. The clips are lousy though.

Clips are fine. Sound is horrible. How do peeps get away with recording? You would think security would kick them out right away don't ya think?

There were no restrictions what-so-ever on picture taking and recording at this concert. It wasn't on the tickets, the venue site, on the Styx site, or at the event itself (no signs). I took plenty of pictures and took a couple clips with my camera, which was in plain sight before and during the concert.

[BidForGreen]

There are clips on youtube if you want to see the disappointing show. The clips are lousy though.

Clips are fine. Sound is horrible. How do peeps get away with recording? You would think security would kick them out right away don't ya think?

There were no restrictions what-so-ever on picture taking and recording at this concert. It wasn't on the tickets, the venue site, on the Styx site, or at the event itself (no signs). I took plenty of pictures and took a couple clips with my camera, which was in plain sight before and during the concert.

Here is a perfect example of how BAD the sound was...distorted and just too damn loud. I like loud, but there's a fine line between loudness and messing up the sound quality.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUovfNtaau8

[tommyluvr2]

The sound is never great being that close to the stage, that clip was so distorted.
Denise

[gr8dane]

There are clips on youtube if you want to see the disappointing show. The clips are lousy though.

Clips are fine. Sound is horrible. How do peeps get away with recording? You would think security would kick them out right away don't ya think?

There were no restrictions what-so-ever on picture taking and recording at this concert. It wasn't on the tickets, the venue site, on the Styx site, or at the event itself (no signs). I took plenty of pictures and took a couple clips with my camera, which was in plain sight before and during the concert.

Here is a perfect example of how BAD the sound was...distorted and just too damn loud. I like loud, but there's a fine line between loudness and messing up the sound quality.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUovfNtaau8

What are you talking about?
It sounded excellent.

[elmotano]

There are clips on youtube if you want to see the disappointing show. The clips are lousy though.

Clips are fine. Sound is horrible. How do peeps get away with recording? You would think security would kick them out right away don't ya think?

There were no restrictions what-so-ever on picture taking and recording at this concert. It wasn't on the tickets, the venue site, on the Styx site, or at the event itself (no signs). I took plenty of pictures and took a couple clips with my camera, which was in plain sight before and during the concert.

Here is a perfect example of how BAD the sound was...distorted and just too damn loud. I like loud, but there's a fine line between loudness and messing up the sound quality.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUovfNtaau8

It seems to have been distorted, the video taper should have adjusted their audio.

[BidForGreen]

There are clips on youtube if you want to see the disappointing show. The clips are lousy though.

Clips are fine. Sound is horrible. How do peeps get away with recording? You would think security would kick them out right away don't ya think?

There were no restrictions what-so-ever on picture taking and recording at this concert. It wasn't on the tickets, the venue site, on the Styx site, or at the event itself (no signs). I took plenty of pictures and took a couple clips with my camera, which was in plain sight before and during the concert.

Here is a perfect example of how BAD the sound was...distorted and just too damn loud. I like loud, but there's a fine line between loudness and messing up the sound quality.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUovfNtaau8

What are you talking about?
It sounded excellent.

I was there. It was not good.

[gr8dane]

There are clips on youtube if you want to see the disappointing show. The clips are lousy though.

Clips are fine. Sound is horrible. How do peeps get away with recording? You would think security would kick them out right away don't ya think?

There were no restrictions what-so-ever on picture taking and recording at this concert. It wasn't on the tickets, the venue site, on the Styx site, or at the event itself (no signs). I took plenty of pictures and took a couple clips with my camera, which was in plain sight before and during the concert.

Here is a perfect example of how BAD the sound was...distorted and just too damn loud. I like loud, but there's a fine line between loudness and messing up the sound quality.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUovfNtaau8

Fair enough champ.

The recording was bad,but sometimes that does not make sound bad there,at the show.

What are you talking about?
It sounded excellent.

I was there. It was not good.

[gr8dane]

There are clips on youtube if you want to see the disappointing show. The clips are lousy though.

Clips are fine. Sound is horrible. How do peeps get away with recording? You would think security would kick them out right away don't ya think?

There were no restrictions what-so-ever on picture taking and recording at this concert. It wasn't on the tickets, the venue site, on the Styx site, or at the event itself (no signs). I took plenty of pictures and took a couple clips with my camera, which was in plain sight before and during the concert.

Here is a perfect example of how BAD the sound was...distorted and just too damn loud. I like loud, but there's a fine line between loudness and messing up the sound quality.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUovfNtaau8

OOOps .Fair enough champ.

The recording was bad,but sometimes that does not make sound bad there,at the show.

What are you talking about?
It sounded excellent.

I was there. It was not good.

[shaka]

Not that I do no believe you that the sound quality was bad but.....

If you're that close to the stage you are probably getting alot of the sound coming off the stage and not the loudspeakers. I'm talking guitar amps and drums hitting you right where it hurts. Because of this you may have had an unbalanced mix. Further back in the venue things may have been better.

Also, it's impossible to judge sound quality be a recording made with a phone or even camcorder. Those mics overload with almost any source.

[BidForGreen]

Not that I do no believe you that the sound quality was bad but.....

If you're that close to the stage you are probably getting alot of the sound coming off the stage and not the loudspeakers. I'm talking guitar amps and drums hitting you right where it hurts. Because of this you may have had an unbalanced mix. Further back in the venue things may have been better.

Also, it's impossible to judge sound quality be a recording made with a phone or even camcorder. Those mics overload with almost any source.

You are right, I was relatively close to the stage, so that may have something to do with it. But I've been close at other places and it wasn't that bad. It may also have been the venue - I mean do you really think when they designed the Service Merchandise that they did so in an acoustically sound way? Doubt it!

I will say that Gowan's best song is by far and away I Am The Walrus. He can make his voice sound eerily similar to John Lennon. IMO, he doesn't do a great Dennis DeYoung, but man, during Walrus, you could close your eyes and think that you were listening to John Lennon.

I vote that Styx let Tommy sing CSA, get rid of Lady and GI and replace them with two more John Lennon Beatle covers!

Rock On!

[Zan]

I will say that Gowan's best song is by far and away I Am The Walrus. He can make his voice sound eerily similar to John Lennon. IMO, he doesn't do a great Dennis DeYoung, but man, during Walrus, you could close your eyes and think that you were listening to John Lennon.

And he would take that as a high compliment because he is hugely influenced by John Lennon.

My father would agree with you about "Walrus." He thinks it's the best cover he's ever heard.

[stmonkeys]

get glen back, and they could do abbey road & sgt. peppers!!!