Photos and Words by Matt Delaney
STYX proved to be an amazing show on a hot Georgia day. While it being record breaking temps, this did not stops fans of all ages from attending the STYX performance. While waiting to photograph the show I witnessed everyone bringing in some sort of beverage packed in a cooler ranging from beer, wine, spirits and water. Everyone was in a great mood this memorial day weekend in anticipation to see the show.
STYX had a very strict 90 minute performance and did not fail to bring the hits. Opening with a “Mission” track, “Gone Gone Gone,” with Phillips standing on the piano platform that rotated. He really gained the attention of the audience with this opener and the light show was incredible. They took it back to 1977, with “Blue Collar Man (Long Nights)” and the great “Grand Illusion” before Gowan continued his vocals with “Lady,” as Sucherman pounded the drum fills during this ballad. During the performance, Gowan hit the notes written in the key of DeYoung (“Rockin’ the Paradise,” “Come Sail Away”), while Shaw’s vocals are still remarkable to this day. At the end of the show STYX finished up with an amazing encore playing “Mr Roboto” which really made the fans excited. My take away from this show was positive. The staff at Cadence Bank are extremely friendly and professional. My favorite part was the roaming golf carts driven by local residents to assist concert goers back to their cars since parking is very sporadic. After a long hot evening, it was nice to catch a ride back to my truck to end the night.
Setlist:
Gone Gone Gone
Blue Collar Man (Long Nights)
The Grand Illusion