Review: Yes and Styx

Classic rock has become its own monolith, a fits-all classification, especially when it comes to touring.  Thus, bands that had little in common during their heydays are packaged as tours 30 years later under the nearly-safe assumption that anyone who liked one probably liked the other, too.

The bands Yes and Styx are out on tour this summer. Monday night, about 5,000 fans turned out to see their show at Starlight Theatre.  It’s a co-headlining tour; both bands performed 90-minute sets. But it looked and sounded like most were there to see Styx, who played second.

Both bands are touring with original and long-time members. Neither features its original vocalist. Benoit David tries to approximate the signature falsetto of Jon Anderson, who parted with the band three years ago.  They are not the same without him. David’s resemblance to Anderson grew thin and vague throughout the set.  His voice can get a little too glossy and Broadway/show-tune for a progressive rock band. He also seems unsure of what to do with himself when he's not singing.

Yes was one of the best-known and most successful British progressive-rock bands of the 1970s. It’s core is still in-tact:: guitarist Steve Howe, bassist Chris Squire and drummer Alan White. On this tour, keyboards (and keytar) are manned by Yes alum Geoff Downes, who can also list the Buggles and Yes-offshoot Asia on his resume.

The setlist included the usual Yes standards and hits: “I’ve Seen All Good People,” “Yours Is No Disgrace,” “Starship Trooper” and the closer, “Roundabout.”  Most were performed close to the ways everyone remembers them, with bits of improv thrown in.

Howe is still a uncommonly versatile and fluent guitarist, still capable of embroidering songs with leads and fills that are melodic and complicated and worthy of strict attention. He regularly switched guitars two or three times within a song. During “And You and I,” he played some steel guitar (and Squire played a few measures of blues harp). 

Styx took the stage to the sounds of the Who’s “Won’t Get Fooled Again,” specifically the line, “Meet the new boss; same as the old boss.” In the post-Dennis DeYoung days, Tommy Shaw is the band’s unofficial leader, though James Young, by virtue of his physical stature alone, is a very close second in command. His big moment, “Miss America,” got a huge response. Shaw otherwise shared vocals with keyboardist Lawrence Gowan, who replaced DeYoung in 1999.

Like pitching crackers to pigeons in the park, Styx fed its rowdy crowd what it wanted: 90 minutes of ‘70s and ‘80s FM rock theater forged in the Midwest USA.  Five of the first six songs are still mainstays on classic-rock radio, including “Lady,” “Too Much Time On My Hands” and “Lorelei.”  

The crowd went bonkers for the big hits. During “Too Much Time,” it serenaded the band with a few rounds of the chorus (and did that hand-clap thing without cue). But it seemed familiar with whatever was tossed its way, showing loud recognition for tracks like “Suite Madame Blue” and “Man In the Wilderness.”

Before several of the hits, Shaw summoned from backstage founding member/bassist Chuck Panozzo, twin brother of founding drummer, the late John Panozzo, to join in. 

The stage show included some gratuitous graphics and videos broadcast on large screen behind the band. During the encore, fans in the first dozen rows were showered with confetti.

However, this show had little to do with visual fireworks and much more to do with what was coming out of the live jukebox on stage. The bands come from very different places, musically and geographically. But each took its fans on odysseys that landed in similar destinations.

Yes setlist: Tempus Fugit; Yours Is No Disgrace; Heart of the Sunrise; I’ve Seen All Good People; Fly From Here; And You and I; Owner of a Lonely Heart; Starship Trooper; Roundabout.

Styx setlist: Blue Collar Man; The Grand Illusion; One With Everything; Too Much Time On My Hands; Lady; Lorelei; Man in the Wilderness; Suite Madame Blue; Crystal Ball; Fooling Yourself (Angry Young Man); Miss America; Sail Away; Renegade.

| Timothy Finn, The Star

 

Comments

[gary dean]

For a band that's been around 30 plus years, the energy they had could sure teach the new bands something

Got a boot and pics of the show

[Drun]

I attended the show at Starlight last night and was truly blown away.This venue is fabulous, the acoustics were great as was all the ammenities. Yes opened up and sounded great, I did miss Jon Anderson but they were still great, I wished they had played a little longer, I really enjoyed Chris Squire and his bass play.
Then cam STYX, I've seen them many time, this was one of the better shows. I don't miss Dennis DeYoung at all and it's really cool to have Chuck Pannozzo play on some songs. Tony Shaw talked about some shows where they played the entire Pieces of 8 or Grand Illusion album, I would like to see that. STYX played their hits, sounded great and played to the fans, it was freaking awesome.

[Pat]

Off Topic: Tim - are we going to get a U2 360 Review?

[Bubba]

A shame that more patrons weren't present for YES - as they were brilliant!! As for STYX, some say that TOMMY SHAW & crew are poseurs - I don't agree with that at all. STYX makes it tough for the casual fan (like myself) not to fully appreciate their elaborate live performance. Best $11.00 that I've ever spent - got the tickets through Groupon. No more shows for Bubba for awhile now - I felt sort of faint just prior to STYX, but I went to the water jugs and I soon there after felt better. DANG this summer heat & humidity!! Watch yourselves.

[djkevin]

This'd all be great - if it was 1978!

[gary dean]

The concert took me back there!

[ssiknaf]

Tempus Fugit? nice!

[Green]

I kinda wonder who of todays music acts will be turning like that of Yes, STYX, Kansas, Foreigner, REO and the likes. Are we gonna see 311 and Incubus reliving their past days deep into their 50's and 60's. Who will be dropping a ticket to a reasonable price and fronting the stage year after year for their fans. Also curious what happens to the small bands that never had the large crowds, are bands peaking at a theatre size crowd or even a club size audience gonna be able to pull fans back out in 10 or 20 years to the Uptown or the Record Bar? It should be interesting to see who is playing and where in the next decade.

[RCB]

Yes was great !! It's unbelieveable that they were the opening band even with the new singer. There were quite a few of us that attended this concert just for Yes. Yes is rock and roll hall of fame type of band (why they not in the RNR HOF is for another debate) and STYX is just ok I guess. There is no comparison for me. It's classic rock vs the MTV 80'S corporate rock sound. All in all it is a stupid argument and we had a fun time the other night.

[Kurt]

I've seen Yes at the Taste of Chicago and Styx at Spirit Fest. I don't count these shows as 'offical' shows since, they were at festivals. I didn't attend this show and would have if Jon Anderson was still with Yes. It would have been nice to have Dennis De Young with Styx also.

[james]

What's this? Tim Finn reviewed YES/STYX instead if FLEET FOXES? Am I in the twilight zone? I'm not the biggest TF fan, but I'll give credit where credit is due.

[wadkc]

Kurt,

Styx a 80's MTV Band? I don't think so. Yes is the band, with 90125 in 1983, that went 3x's platinum.
Styx's heyday was probably 75-81. After that Kilroy took over and they blew. Just sayin'...

[Rich Bacchus]

WADKC,

Styx may have originated in the late 70's but such forgettable songs like "Babe & Mr Roboto" were from the 80's. Don't get wrong, The Grand Illusion was actually pretty good but YES has been making music for 40 years. Most of it very listenable and innocvative. I just can't say the same for the Styx catalog.

[wadkc]

Rich,

Styx originated in the late 60's taking the actual name Styx in 1972 (not the late 70's). "Babe" was from 1979. As stated in previous statement, they were awful after that. I guess your "listenable" ears of 40 years of Yes will have best be suited with headphones.

[Rich]

WADKC,

Ouch .... who cares when Styx started. They were just another garage band in the early 70's when YES was selling out stadiums. The Grand Illusion was their claim to fame and it came out in the 1977/78 period and as I said before it was pretty good. This maybe a stupid debate but I find it quite humorous.

[wadkc]

Oh, it's no debate, I'm just stating facts...

[Moncler Manteaux]

It's great to hear from you and see what you've been up to. In your blog I feel your enthusiasm for life. thank you.