Styx Review and Pictures - Moondance Jam - July 12, 2008

[weatherman90]

At 8:59 PM, the madness began with the legendary Styx taking the stage at the 17th Moondance Jam. The band opened with one of rock's best keyboard riffs - "Blue Collar Man", and they continued through the night with a parade of hits including "Suite Madame Blue", "Lady", "Foolin' Yourself", and so many more. The band is a well-oiled touring machine and every member is very animated on stage. Tommy Shaw's voice was incredible as always, but great also were the voices of James "JY" Young and last but certainly not least Lawrence Gowan, who had the tough job of covering the DeYoung tracks. Nearly every Styx hit involved the three guitarists: Shaw, Young, and Ricky Phillips, getting together for a great jam in the middle of the stage.

This was my second time seeing Styx in just a month - the first was at the Grand Casino in Hinckley, Minnesota. I was amazed both times, particularly at Moondance when they added three more songs to the set: "Suite Madame Blue", "Lady", and "Everything All in One". The band's performance of Madame Blue was amazing; Lawrence Gowan is an incredible vocalist with a great stage presence. Throughout the show there were plenty of guitar picks to be had, but most were blown right back at the band by the fierce and cold wind. The wind was so cold that while Tommy Shaw was out talking to the crowd, keyboardist Gowan could be seen trying to warm up his nose by holding his hands to his face.

As usual, Lawrence Gowan also was the band's photographer - he walked around and took pictures and then threw them into the crowd. Since I was front and center he tried to throw one to me, but it blew away with the wind right back up on stage. Fortunately, Lawrence didn't forget about me! When the band walked out for the encore with Styx frisbees and other items that blow easily in the wind, Gowan brought his heavy water bottle marked with "GOWAN". He came out, looked right at me and threw it, and I was able to catch it. It was such a fun moment, and thank you to Lawrence Gowan for giving me my first piece of concert memorabilia.

You can't ask for more than a band that loves their fans and puts on a tremendous show every time, and that is exactly what you get with Styx. My friend said that it was the most incredible show he's ever seen, and I can see why. There was never a dull moment with Styx on stage at Moondance. Whether you were watching Lawrence Gowan play the keys while facing away from the keyboard, Shaw, Young, and Phillips jamming out and playing each others guitars, or Todd Sucherman pound his heart out on the drums, you were being entertained! Styx is a band that should be invited back again and again because they always deliver.

Here is a link to pictures I took at the show: http://www.flickr.com/photos/melodicrockconcerts/sets/72157606193844049/

Also, check out the videos I took here: http://youtube.com/profile_videos?user=melodicrockconcerts

[Blue Falcon]

Sorry, I thought your thread said "Moonbounce Jam"...which I'm sure Stynx will be headlining by 2011.

[Skates]

Great review Weatherman. Sorry that folks on this board can't share in your fun...