Dennis in Beverly/Boston 6/24

[styxfanNH]

The Set List.

Grand Illusion
Lady
Desert Moon
Lorelie
Pieces of Eight
Show Me The Way
Castle Walls
Light Up
Mr. Roboto
Don't Let It End
Rocking The Paradise
Suite Madame Blue
Babe
Best of Times
Come Sail Away
-------------------

Somehow as I sit here, I don't know where to begin. Not because I was wow'd or disappointed, just because, well, you'll see what I mean. (I am going to talk about issues around the show before I get into the full fledged review)

Walking through the parking lot, I look up to see Tom, Hank and John arriving to the show. Tom had his guitar strapped on his back. It was 10 minutes prior to John Waite going on.

Attendance for the show was horrible. Talking to the ushers, the venue holds 1800 with 600 tickets sold plus walk up prior to the show. The place was empty, with only about the first 12 - 14 rows of each section sold.

The stage was in the round and spun counter clockwise. During the 90 minute set, it rotated 3 full times, so you saw Dennis, then you saw the keyboardist, then you saw the back of the drummer and his drumkit, then you saw Tom and Hank, well you get the picture. An interesting type of show, that was actually kinda neat in it's own way. But it was a very small stage and everything seemed squeezed.

As the band took the stage, I commented to my sister (her and her husband went with me and my son) that Dawn looked pregnant and sure enough when Dennis introduced the band he introduced her as the "soon to be Mommy". But he also announced that Dawn would only be doing ONE more show with him. He sounded kind of sad in his voice, but went on to say that she was "Retiring" and "that being a mom was important and special." So if you are going to the St. Paul show, you will see Dawn Marie's last performance. Sad, because I really like what she brought to the band and the dynamic will certainly change with her gone. No question that her shoes will be hard to fill having been with Dennis for what both of them called "a long time". One last thing that was noticable because of the size of the stage, Dawn Marie is really tall, probably about 3 or 4 inches taller than Dennis.

With that said the show was billed as "2 1/2 hour live concert showcases the talents of legendary singer/songwriter/record producer Dennis DeYoung with his 5 piece rock band. " and Dennis' show was about 90 minutes with John Waite having about an hour with a 30 minute intermission. So in some ways I was disappointed, but with a show starting at 8:00, I kind of new ahead of time that this was not meant to be.

The Show

I thought the overall show was good. On a scale of 1-10, I would give it an 8.5-9. The set list was predictable, but I have gotten to the point with the bands I see to appreciate the set and what is in it than get all hot and bothered about what isn't played. Would I have liked to have heard a couple of surprises, absolutely. But I wasn't disappointed by what he played.

His voice was great. He was his usual dorky self and he promoted his appearance in "A Perfect Man" saying that if you blink, you would probably miss him, but he was there. And now he can add doing movies to his credits. (He was laughing)

Dennis seemed to really be in his element in the round. whether the stage rotates or he find's some other way to pull it off, i would highly recommend he go into this type of format as often as he can. His interaction with the audience was much better than the last time I saw him. After the stage rotated once, he joked with a guy that there was someone onthe other side of the venue that "looked just like him, only he was with a red head." The audience was in rare form, almost to the point of heckling with him, and Dennis appeared to eat it up.

Gone was the "polyester suit" (OK Suite, Silk) and he had on what at first looked like jeans and later turned out to be just a loose pair of blue pants, white shirt, and a blue pinstriped jacket. (the jacket stripes were about three inches apart with about an eighth of an inch wide brown stripe) Somehow, I think I have seen him wear that jacket a number of years ago with Styx. He should stick to this wardrobe choices unless he is with an orchestra) Definitely more Rock N Roll than the suit, especially when he says he doesn't have to try to be cool anymore.

In this show, there seemed to be more chemistry between the members of Dennis' band than when I last saw him. Maybe it's the playing of a few more shows together or just a better type of venue and audience than any act gets at a casino.

Don't know whether this is new news or not but when Dennis was talking about songs he wrote for Suzanne, he listed Lady, Babe and Best of Times. Now at least to me Best of Times is new to this list. And this list has always made me wonder who he wrote "A Song for Suzanne" for if it wasn't for Suzanne.

The bit about where have you all been, I am in my fifties went over well. But the "at home,I'm an asshole " part didn't. Maybe time to drop that part of it.

Throughout the show, I couldn't help but notice Dennis looking at hhis watch 5 or 6 times. I thought this odd, due to his interaction with the crowd and his appearance to be having a great time - which by all acounts he did. But when the concert ended at 11:08 and I saw Dennis look at his watch again and say to Suzanne we should be ok, I couldn't help to think about what was probably the 11:00 curfew and the financial penalties for going past 11:00. Also I would say that Dennis knew early on in the set that they were going to be over and half way through pushed into songs that normally have an introduction trying to save a few minutes here and there.

A funny moment, ar at least funny to me, was when the band came back to do CSA, there was no Dawn Marie. As Dennis is trying to eat up a few minutes, Dawn Marie appears in the entrance way and as she walks on stage Dennis says, "Hey, Where Ya been?" to which she replied, "I'm pregnant. I had to go to the bathroom" which brought a chuckle to those that were in earshot of her.

I know I didn't cover the song to song disection, but overall the audience received the set list very well. During Show Me the Way, you could have heard a pin drop and Rockin the Paradise seemed to have some weird funk happening in it as if they were trying to rush through it and weren't all together. But we all know the songs and their quality, so I don't feel the need to cover them specificly.

A last parting criticism of the show is 2 points and really has to do with Dennis and how at least I perceive him and being more critical than most at the show, but my brother-in law picked up on it also and I honestly don't talk about STYX with him. Dennis referred to himself as "up until recently was the keyboard player and a lead singer in STYX" - It's been six years now, recently doesn't really apply anymore. The other was that in his heroes are loosers monologue, he refers to Styx and said that he was told to "GET OUT". This took away from the show and shows that he is still angry about the whole thing. This was a different variation of the monologue that I heard before and came across as more of a negative down way to end the show to what was a reallyl nice musical performance all evening.

All in all it was a very good show. Worth the money and the setting. I would recommend it to anyone.

[SuiteMadameBlue]

Thanks for the review, I'm glad you made it to the show He's coming back to your area in Plymouth September 17th.

What did you think of "Pieces of Eight"??????

I'm not sure who Dennis is going to have as a replacement for Dawn Marie. She's having a baby boy, just in case it wasn't mentioned. Yes, Dawn Marie is tall, but I don't think taller than Dennis, unless she was in her heels. I'm about 5'6", looking at my pictures, Hank, Tommy and John are just an inch taller than me, Kyle is about 2 inches taller than me, and Dawn has to be about 5'9"-5-10", Dennis is about 5'11".

With an orchestra he's on a time frame, every minute that he goes over, it does cost big bucks to the orchestra and facility. He explained the whole thing in my interview.

I wish Dennis would wear a casual t-shirt and jeans, but then again with the orchestra I guess he should be dressed up a little bit more. Thanks for the clothes update. There are a few of us girls that are curious what he wears at what concerts

As for songs for Suzanne, we talked about that too, I don't remember him mentioned the song "A Song For Suzanne" either. I know he also mentioned a few more, like usual, I can't remember all of them (LOL).

As for the comments regarding Styx, well in the past few weeks a lot of things just happened and things were said and done.

Thanks again for posting your review

[bugsymalone]

Thanks so much for the lengthy review, SFNH. Quite interesting and I appreciate your honesty. If the audience was that small, I BET he was worried about the "going over time" penalty. No question that was probably a money loser for them.

In the round sounds kind of cool. I think I have only seen one show done that way and I enjoyed it. Don't even remember who it was for now.

The loss of Dawn will definitely be felt by Dennis and the band. Her voice and knowledge of the music and the show will most certainly be a hard gap to fill.

As to his comment about "he was told to get out". I sense frustation on his part. He is asked EVERYWHERE he goes about why he "left" Styx. The drumbeat is bound to get to him sometime, but that sort of outburst is pretty rare for him.

Glad his voice was still a source of enjoyment to you, NH.

Bugsy

[styxfanNH]

Suite,
Ya know Dawn Marie was wearing heals now that I think about it becasue I remember her carrying them off with her when she left the stage. And it wasn't mentioned that it was a boy.

As a side note, she did appear uncomfortable at times and you could see her rubbing her stomach often. based on how much she was showing, I am going to bet the little guy gives a kick to mom singing. I wish her well and hope for a short retirement. But being a stay at home mom/parent is the best job in the world for those that can afford to do so.

His remarks to leaving the band seemed out of character for him and there definitely seemed to be more than the line based on the way it was said. Which is why I brought it up.

And Suite, I already have tix for Plymouth. Fourth row main aisle. Can't wait to see him again. Just hoping for a slightly different set list.

[SuiteMadameBlue]

I've seen Dennis' solo shows about 9, 10 or 11 times, I forget now - LOL I agree, it is out of character for Dennis to talk like that openly or make any type of digs at his shows. I don't blame him one bit.

Being a stay-at-home mom is the best job that I ever had I'm very lucky that I can stay home and watch my kids grow up. In 2 years I'll have all my kids in school full time. I'll probably go back to working part-time as a lunch lady - LOL then I'll be off of work when they're off of school. I loved being pregnant and going to concerts. My babies would always be kicking in my stomach to the music.

I'm sure the set list should change a little bit for the Plymouth show. "Queen of Spades" could be added. I think he's working on that one with the orchestra added. Not sure.

I made requests for the set list that I wanted for Milwaukee - LOL

[onestilllearning]

StyxfanNH - Thanks for the review. I really wanted to get those 3rd row seats and take my daughter but it was my sister in-laws 50th B-day and as I am seeing Styx twice this year cuold not justify the money. It would be nice to meet you at the Gilford show. Who are you going with?

[styxfanNH]

I'll be going with my son.

and the Plymouth show is on a saturday. September 17th. www.ticketweb.com search for dennis.

[ek88]

Thanks for the review. It was a very fun read!

[Rockindeano]

I bet Dennis is awesome in concert, however, only 15 songs by the headliner? I say leave John Waite at home and have DDY play 20-21 songs...

[styxfanNH]

and as i reread this I realize I missed answering Suite's question that was in BOLD.....DOH...

Pieces was awesome. The flare with "In the Hall of the Mountain King" (this is what my son said it was) was great, tasteful, and a nice touch.

Dennis always has a nice touch whaen adding those pieces into Styx songs.

[Monker]

I bet Dennis is awesome in concert, however, only 15 songs by the headliner? I say leave John Waite at home and have DDY play 20-21 songs...

With only 600 people showing up...I doubt that axing an opening band is going to happen...If anything, maybe Dennis should start opening for other bands.

[sadie65]

Crowd sizes are hit and miss these days...sadly for both Styx and Dennis. Sounds like he put on a decent enough show, and I would imagine the number of songs was due to the penalties that NH mentioned. I've seen him check his watch at nearly every show I've seen him perform.

I would imagine he will find a replacement for DawnMarie (and I wish her well with the baby).

Thanks for the review. Hopefully you will enjoy the next set of shows as well.

[styxfanNH]

Hopefully you will enjoy the next set of shows as well.

No hopefully about it, I know I will.

Dennis puts on a great show. I expect different thing from him than the show the others put on.

The show was a great show and I enjoyed myself immensely. With that said, I look at all shows critically from a behind the stage point of view. And nothing I said here was meant to slight Dennis if it came across that way.

The reality is that shows at the smaller venues get virtually no publicity. And when artists go to venues that have there own ticketing system, unless you are a member of that venue or know about that venue specificly, you would never know. At least with ticketmobster, I get a calendar of upcoming shows for the next month letting meat least know who is coming.

The 600 number is less important than anything about the show other than how many people were there. Based on the types of shows Dennis is doing, it would be difficult to see him open for anyone. Dennis will keep doing his thing, his fans will show up, and he will carry on. And Boston/New England really hasn't been that friendly to Styx over the years, it's not one of thier hardcore fan base areas, so I wouldn't read to much into the numbers at the show either.

[bugsymalone]

The 600 number is less important than anything about the show other than how many people were there. Based on the types of shows Dennis is doing, it would be difficult to see him open for anyone. Dennis will keep doing his thing, his fans will show up, and he will carry on. And Boston/New England really hasn't been that friendly to Styx over the years, it's not one of thier hardcore fan base areas, so I wouldn't read to much into the numbers at the show either.

VERY well stated, NH. Thanks for being quite the voice of reason!

Bugsy

[Rockindeano]

I agree too. You put Styx in places where theirpopularity is better..Hmmm. Like REO in Illinois..Journey in the West. ZZ Top in the lower tier states, etc...

I agree DDY should not open for anyone.....However, having said that, I would love for DDY to go on tour with Journey..

[Adam]

It's unfornate to hear it wasn't a capacity show, but most importantly I'm way glad to hear his voice is strong. It's the MUSIC that counts.

[Monker]

It's unfornate to hear it wasn't a capacity show, but most importantly I'm way glad to hear his voice is strong. It's the MUSIC that counts.

It's the music that counts for the fans...but, it's the crowd that counts for the venues. I saw him in a 1/2 filled theater in Des Moines, which IS a Styx haven. I don't care what the band is, Styx, Journey, Dennis, or whoever, if they can't sell the tickets and draw the crowds, then they shouldn't be headlining the tour. Neither Styx, or Journey had as small of a crowd as when I saw Dennis.

Dennis would be MUCH better off opening for someone 'like' Billy Joel or Elton John and performing a 45min set for 20,000 people then putting himself in the headlining role - which doesn't seem to fit him any longer.

[Zan]

Crowd sizes are hit and miss these days...sadly for both Styx and Dennis. Sounds like he put on a decent enough show....

Thank you, Sadie. This arguement is so tired about crowd sizes. Some of the BEST shows I have ever seen were small and intimate (can you tell I had a good time this weekend?). Quantity and quality don't always go hand-in hand. Sometimes it's nice to see your favorite performer up close and personal, as opposed to battling it out with ten thousand other people who are sweaty and drunk.

[DeeJaySTYX]

I have to agree.... I think at this point Dennis would be better off opening for someone like Elton John, Journey, Billy Joel, or even Van Halen....

Band Only of course, no orchestra, unless he opened for the Eagles, but that won't happen because the Eagles are a huge Draw by themselves....

DeeJay

[bugsymalone]

First of all, getting over the shock of reading that Monker attended a concert by someone he clearly despises....

I think Dennis is going to continue work on his own -- mostly orchestra, in markets that would like to use his PBS services -- for awhile yet.

He has had shows where his audiences are small and some that were sell-outs and near-sellouts, so it is a bit premature to say he is over and done as a headliner.

I honestly see him playing very small, intimate settings, possibly on his own, before I see him opening for someone else.

Bugsy

[Monker]

First of all, getting over the shock of reading that Monker attended a concert by someone he clearly despises....

Why are you so shocked at something I have repeated on this forum many times? Seems to me that you are acting like a Pooka again.

I don't despise Dennis. I think his concert is boring and his fans WAY over-hype it and think he is more popular then he actually is.

I think Dennis is going to continue work on his own -- mostly orchestra, in markets that would like to use his PBS services -- for awhile yet.

Perhaps he will...But, I don't see how playing to small venues 1/3 full serves himself or the venue in any proactive way. His solo career seems stalled - big time.

I honestly see him playing very small, intimate settings, possibly on his own, before I see him opening for someone else.

He already IS playing small 'more intimate' settings - and they are only 1/3 full. The next step is either opening for someone else or quit touring altogether.

[sadie65]

And here we go round the mulberry bush..the mulberry bush...

BOTH Dennis and Styx have shows that don't sell well. Both have sold out shows. If he were consistantly selling only 1/3 of the venues he performs at, then yes, I'd say he would be stalled. Since it appears he is selling more than that in most cases, I think he will continue to stay on this course.

Sorry you find his show boring. To each his own.

Carry on.

[SuiteMadameBlue]

[SuiteMadameBlue]

Sadie, he's just trying to get us DeYoungians going again - LOL I think he's lonely.

[DeeJaySTYX]

Sadie, he's just trying to get us DeYoungians going again - LOL I think he's lonely.

Suite, the term according to Monker is Deyoungidiots, and yes Monker is Lonely and Bitter...


NH, I hope you have a great time at the next Dennis concert in Plymouth....


DeeJay....

[Monker]

Monker, do you think Carrot Styx has stalled at all?

No. Not with albums that chart and singles that get on radio...the times I have seen Styx/REO was with 10,000+ people, and standing room only outside of the local casino for a night with Styx - again, thousands of people. That is no where near towards the bottom rung of the ladder as Dennis.

I don't feel like going back to 2000 and posting all the concert information from Dennis and Styx.

Of course you don't...because you would be posting hundreds of shows for Styx, and only dozens of shows for Dennis. And, I doubt VERY much that you can find ALL of that information anyway...if you DID post it, you would pick and choose only the shows to 'prove' your 'point'.

Do you really think Carrot Styx will be going back to the UK anytime soon?

don't know, don't care. I'm not in the UK. If they are only filling 1/3 of the venues seats, then they should be opening for somebody too. I doubt Dennis would even tour the UK as a solo act, because I doubt he would find a venue willing to book him.

They lost a lot of money on those dates over there. I'm not talking about the festivals, the ones concerts that had paid tickets to see Styx.

Prove it. Give solid facts for how much Styx spent and how much they earned...not just guesswork or hearsay...but verifiable facts.

Again, Dennis would be better served opening for a more popular act. If you can't see the truth in that, then you are blinded by your affection and fandom for the man.

[bugsymalone]

BOTH Dennis and Styx have shows that don't sell well. Both have sold out shows

Which, of course, was my point.

There is plenty of evidence on BOTH sides that Dennis is doing quite well or that he has had a few venues where he sold poorly. The same, of course, EXACT thing can be said about Current Styx.

Guess when one has blinders on one sees great success in 1/3 full venues for Current Styx and career-is-over when the 1/3 full venue is Dennis.

Bugsy

[Monker]

Guess when one has blinders on one sees great success in 1/3 full venues for Current Styx and career-is-over when the 1/3 full venue is Dennis.

I have not attended a Styx concert where attendence was a struggle. The same can not be said about Dennis. That is not a case of wearing 'blinders', it's a case where facts as I have witnessed them show that Dennis struggles to pull in a crowd in the same city where Styx seems to thrive.

I also did not say "career-is-over". I said he would be better served opening for another band. He can't step down another rung on the ladder...the next rung is to stop touring. If I went to a Styx concert and turned around and saw more empty seats then occupied seats, I would be saying the same thing about Styx.

[SuiteMadameBlue]

DeeJay says:

Suite, the term according to Monker is Deyoungidiots, and yes Monker is Lonely and Bitter...

Thanks for the info DeeJay. I'm still trying to catch up on my emails and the posts. So now Monker is grouping the DeYoungians as Deyoungidiots? Real nice Monker.

[Monker]

No, I wouldn't pick and choose only the shows to prove my point.

Don't lie to yourself. You don't have the info for all of Styx shows...and even if you did, you wouldn't post it for the hundreds of shows they have performed in the past five years. You would pick and choose from the hundreds, instead of taking the time to type it up for all of them.

I've posted a lot of Carrot Styx information good and bad for all the fans.

So?

I do have a lot of information from both sides on how many tickets were sold at each concert and how many people each venue held. So whatever.

Yeah, you may have 'a lot of...' information (and ' a lot ' is relative...I have my doubts that you have much more info about such things then anybody else in this forum)...But, you don't have it ALL, which is what I said.

So now Monker is grouping the DeYoungians as Deyoungidiots? Real nice Monker.

If you want to join the club with Froy and IML, it's your choice...It seems people are nominating themselves, which has nothing to do with me.

ROTFL!!!!!!! That's really funny. He has a lot of promoters trying to book him from all over.

You talk the talk, but you are full of hot air. Prove the above. Offer any verifiable evidence of all of these UK promoters talking to Dennis. Quite frankly, I don't believe you. What I do believe is that you are exagerating to a point that makes what you say complete fantasy.

So I'll leave this one alone.

It seems that you do that often when you are asked to back up things you say - and you can't.

You obviously haven't been out of your little town to see a Styx show.

Let's just say the above is true, which it isn't...Your point is irrelevant simply because I have not seen Styx have problems selling tickets, and Dennis has. THAT is what *I* have witnessed...not some hearsay from somebody else saying such and such show sold such and such amount.