Styx and REO Speedwagon have been out on a co-headlining tour called Live and Unzoomed with opening support from Loverboy. It’s a night full of hits where Styx and REO take turns closing the show. Mother Nature caused a delay in Styx hiting the stage in Raleigh, NC at their stop at the Coastal Credit Union Music Park on August 10. She even caused Loverboy to cut their opening set by three songs! After the storm delay, the fans made their way back into the amphitheater, grabbed a shirt and a beer or two and headed to their seats. It wasn’t long before the venue was pretty damn full! The band has managed to fit a few songs from their latest album, which hit #1 on the Rock Chart, Crash of the Crown, into the set. Those new songs really do mesh well with all of the Styx hits that they are sandwiched between. On a show like this, the set time is shorter than a regular show, so it must be tough to figure out what to cut and still keep the fans happy. The fans will be happy alright because these guys kick ass live, but there will still be songs that they will “wish they would have played.” Lawrence Gowan is a sight to see live because the man hardly stands still. His keyboards are like a vehicle that spin all around and move with him. You keep waiting for him to slip up and bust his ass, which he has done before, but he didn’t on this night. Tommy Shaw’s voice still soundsamazing and as if we’re listening to him in 1978! We wer also fortunate that bassist Chuck Panozzo was able to join the band on-stage to perform. Overall, another great show from these guys who just donn’t seem to age. The setlist is included at the end of the photo gallery.

Review and photo gallery by I’m Music Magazine Owner/Editor Johnny Price