Styx Edmonton show

[Jazz]

I'll leave it to Jodes to fill in all of the details, but the guys put on an awesome show in Edmonton. The crowd loved them right from the start, and even though I knew it would be coming, the unknowing crowd brought them back for an encore (Renegade, of course).

It was my first time seeing Ricky live and he was terrific. The others seemed to let Gowan take the lead a lot tonight. Of course, we had "A Criminal Mind" and Lawrence had a little bit by himself, where he sang the opening lines to a number of songs including Stompin' Tom Connors' "The Good Ole' Hockey Game" and his own "Strange Animal" and many more, and the audience provided the next line. When the response came for "Stange Animal" he said "Thank you for knowing that!"

JY commented on all of the hockey banners, and how when they played Rexall Place in 1981, they met a certain young guy named "Wayne" (Gretzky). Todd and Tommy were terrific as always.

They didn't play any of the new songs, which I would have liked to hear live. Most of the set (about 80 mins or so) seemed to be some of the same songs I remember from 2001. No Cyclorama (though a snippet of one song was played at one point, and one song was played prior to them taking the stage. Maybe Jodes will remember which ones.) They did "Suite Madame Blue" and "Midnight Ride," which I loved hearing live.

My husband and I weren't really that interested in Def Leppard, so we waited out by the bus (well, close by--they wouldn't let us go right near it). The security guard eventually went down to ask them if they would be stopping, and they (sadly) could not (driving to Saskatoon tonight), but they sent out a picture for us, autographed by Tommy, Ricky, and Todd. Thanks, guys! I already have many autographed Gowan items from his solo days, so now we just need JY and Chuck. Unfortunately, we did not get to see Chuck this trip (he was here in 2001).

Anyway, the show was well worth the 6 1/2 year wait, but I hope they can come back here on their own again soon.

Jo

P.S. Jodes, I checked in the front row for you before it got too busy, but didn't find you there. Too bad! If you got some good photos, I hope you wouldn't mind posting them. I only had my phone camera, and the stage lights make it difficult to get any recognizable shots with that, especiallly from the 7th row.

[Jodes]

Hey Jo,

Yeah I have quite a few pics which I'll be posting the link soon. Now that Imagestation is gone, I have to transfer my pics to another site.

What seats in the 7th row? I sold 4 (9-12) once we upgraded btw..

I was in seats 41 and 42, on Tommy's side in the front row. My gf and her sis were 3rd row seats 5-6 and other friends were also in the 3rd row.

Great sound for Styx, CRAPPY for Def Leppard. My gf and her sister left about three songs after they hit the stage (as did many others) because of the sound. They said they sounded better from the "lounge" on the other side of the venue (across from the stage) then they did in the actual arena. As my gf left after Sugar, she noticed many others leaving as well.

I was disappointed with Def's sound as well, but I perservered, and well my ears are still tender (with Earplugs to boot) a few days later, not ringing mind you, but tender.

Will I see Styx again? Damn Straights.. Def Leppard, nope I think three's enough!


SETLIST:

Blue Collar Man
Grand Illusion
Too Much Time
Suite Madame Blue
Midnight Ride
A Criminal Mind
Fooling Yourself
Miss America
Come Sail Away
Renegade

Highlights for me, A Criminal Mind (Got Chills, because 10 000+ people were really into it, singing along, etc), and of course Midnight Ride - one of my all time fav Styx songs, and JY shredded on it!

Oh, and since I was the only guy in the Front Row wearing a Styx shirt, Todd threw me a drumstick.. Been waiting since 99 to get a stick.. got Towels, slides, pics, etc.. Collection is almost complete!

I also have to say that after the show, people were giving Styx BIG thumbs up, I don't think they were expecting such a show!

[blt man]

Anyway, the show was well worth the 6 1/2 year wait, but I hope they can come back here on their own again soon.

Jo

Given the strength of the Canadian dollar, I would not be surprised if next year we see a lot more tours of Canada by various bands/singers. Couple this with Styx being popular in Canada, our country may see more of Styx and DDY in the near future.

[Jazz]

Anyway, the show was well worth the 6 1/2 year wait, but I hope they can come back here on their own again soon.

Jo

Given the strength of the Canadian dollar, I would not be surprised if next year we see a lot more tours of Canada by various bands/singers. Couple this with Styx being popular in Canada, our country may see more of Styx and DDY in the near future.

You are right. It was already in the paper that Edmonton has had a record year already, and is one of the top places for concerts in North America, comparing closely to much larger cities. It's the boom here, combined with the $, I guess.

J

[Jazz]

Hey Jo,

Yeah I have quite a few pics which I'll be posting the link soon. Now that Imagestation is gone, I have to transfer my pics to another site.

What seats in the 7th row? I sold 4 (9-12) once we upgraded btw..

I was in seats 41 and 42, on Tommy's side in the front row. My gf and her sis were 3rd row seats 5-6 and other friends were also in the 3rd row.

Great sound for Styx, CRAPPY for Def Leppard. My gf and her sister left about three songs after they hit the stage (as did many others) because of the sound. They said they sounded better from the "lounge" on the other side of the venue (across from the stage) then they did in the actual arena. As my gf left after Sugar, she noticed many others leaving as well.

I was disappointed with Def's sound as well, but I perservered, and well my ears are still tender (with Earplugs to boot) a few days later, not ringing mind you, but tender.

Will I see Styx again? Damn Straights.. Def Leppard, nope I think three's enough!


SETLIST:

Blue Collar Man
Grand Illusion
Too Much Time
Suite Madame Blue
Midnight Ride
A Criminal Mind
Fooling Yourself
Miss America
Come Sail Away
Renegade

Highlights for me, A Criminal Mind (Got Chills, because 10 000+ people were really into it, singing along, etc), and of course Midnight Ride - one of my all time fav Styx songs, and JY shredded on it!

Styx sound was great. We did have our earplugs in, too (as did the people in front of us) because it was LOUD! I pretty much use them all the time, with a few exceptions. As the crowds have become more hard of hearing, it seems most of the concerts are getting louder.

Oh, and since I was the only guy in the Front Row wearing a Styx shirt, Todd threw me a drumstick.. Been waiting since 99 to get a stick.. got Towels, slides, pics, etc.. Collection is almost complete!

I also have to say that after the show, people were giving Styx BIG thumbs up, I don't think they were expecting such a show!

We were in Row 7, Seats 1 & 2 (Gowan side)! My friend and her new bf were in Row 15--11 & 12. They stayed for the whole show and loved it all. A co-worker totally agreed with the newspaper reviews (and you) about Styx outdoing Def Lep. I would agree with your highlights--I hadn't heard Midnight Ride in concert before and it kicked! A small personal highlight for me was with Ricky. I had my phone up and out most of the evening trying to get some shots (the lights are a problem though) and at one point was waving it in time to a song (don't remember which one). Ricky seemed to look right at me and put his hand up to his ear as if talking on the phone, and I think he said "Call me." Funny!

Too bad I didn't find you there. We've been super busy, or I would have tried to arrange something before the show, but I couldn't predict what my day would be like. Anyway, glad you enjoyed it, too! Looking forward to your pics!

Jo