AS THE FIRST MAJOR LIVE CONCERT EVENT, THE POMPANO BEACH AMPHITHEATER PULLS OUT ALL THE STOPS WITH TWO LEGENDARY PERFORMERS AND A NEW ROOF
*ALL PHOTO'S BY CHRIS SCHMITT - GREAT WHITE PHOTOGRAPHY*
Approaching 50 years since STYX signed their very first recording contract with Wooden Nickel Records on February 22, 1972, the band is still touring and performing to audiences around the world. It is easy to understand why STYX is as popular now as they have always been. Besides playing the hit songs that first sucked us in, the band continues to release new material and reinvent themselves with fans old and new. STYX latest release Crash Of The Crown is a testament to the band's popularity and longevity.
STYX made a stop last night at the Pompano Beach Amphitheater in Pompano Beach, FL. to a sold-out audience (No surprise). This was the first concert to take place at the amphitheater since Covid-19 forced the music industry to cancel live performances due to the pandemic. Besides the thrill of having live music back at the amphitheater, the venue boasts a brand new rain-proof tensile fabric roof structure that will surely be a welcomed addition to concertgoers, especially during the summer rainy season, and will also keep the audience cool as well during those hot days.
For this tour, STYX has hit the road with Don Felder as the opener. Felder is best known as the co-writer of one of the most well-known songs in music history Hotel California. Felder took the stage looking amazingly well and featured mostly classic hits from his alma mater Eagles. The set started with Already Gone, One Of These Nights, and Pride and Joy (by Stevie Ray Vaughn). The crowd was digging the classic sound and was eager to sing along.
The set concluded with Seven Bridges Road, Those Shoes, and several other Eagles favorites. Felder’s finale, the one song every fan was waiting for, Hotel California, brought the audience to their feet and I saw several air guitarists showing their skills during the infamous guitar solo. In all, a great performance from a legendary guitarist.
The members of STYX took the stage around 9 pm. The band was welcomed by a gracious crowd longing to hear great classic music from their heroes. The Grand Illusion was the launchpad song that took this night of great music into orbit and set the tone for what was to come. Not showing much of the natural aging process, STYX looked and sounded very much like the band we came to know in the ’70s and 80s, with the exception of some absent original members.
The new tensile covering on the amphitheater, as well as a new sound system and electronics, added so much more to the band’s already killer sound. Blue Collar Man, Fooling Yourself (The Angry Young Man), and Too Much Time On My Hands kicked ass and the crowd ate it up! Selections from the band's latest album Crash Of The Crown were also featured as well.
The night came to an end with the classic Come Sail Away. I came away from this concert wanting to hear more and almost drove up to their next show at Universal Studios in Orlando, FL. I have a newfound respect for this classic band that is standing the test of time, and their time is now and shows no signs of slowing down.
ROCKBANDREVIEWS.COM / 2022
Comentários