Styx Rocks Costa Mesa: A Timeless Journey Through Four Decades of Hits

For over four decades, Styx has been captivating audiences worldwide with their extensive collection of hits. I fondly recall the days of my youth in the 80s when I adorned my bedroom wall with a pin-up of Styx torn from Creem or 16 magazine. Their timeless ballads like “Babe,” “Come Sail Away,” and “The Best of Times” echoed through my room as I sang along with passion. I also grooved to energetic tunes like “Mr. Roboto,” “Too Much Time on My Hands,” and “Rockin’ the Paradise.” Recently, on July 27, 2024, these iconic rock legends graced the stage at the Pacific Amphitheatre in Costa Mesa during the OC Fair.

I’m pleased to share that Styx continues to excel as a force in the music scene. They blend the captivating elements of progressive rock with infectious beats, catchy hooks, and captivating riffs distinguishing themselves from their contemporaries. The audience eagerly joined in on several songs, enthusiastically singing along to every word. Following the initial set, some of us from the press relocated to the seating area to witness the remainder of the concert, where I was particularly impressed by a young photographer who flawlessly recited the lyrics to their classic hits. It was truly a diverse crowd, ranging from Gen Z to baby boomers, all coming together to enjoy the music.

Over the years, Styx has faced the loss of two key founding members: Dennis DeYoung, a talented keyboardist, vocalist, and songwriter, and drummer John Panozzo, who passed away in Chicago on July 16, 1996. Despite various breakups and reunions, the band remains a cornerstone of any rock fan’s repertoire, even in its current incarnation without DeYoung, who I heard touring as a solo artist.

Tommy Shaw’s dynamic stage presence left a lasting impression on me. Additionally, his captivating banjo playing, accompanied by a new song and a heartfelt narrative, added an extra layer of depth to the show. Tommy shared, “I had a bunch of time on my hands and I’m looking around on the internet and I thought to myself first all do I know how to play banjo? No! But do I need a banjo? Yeah, I need a banjo. Here it is! I could go on and on about this banjo. And the story … we’ll get together sometime for lunch and I’ll explain it to you. But we were working on a new album and we’re near the end of it and I picked this up one day and it had a song in it so played it, finished it, recorded a demo, played it for the guys and they said, ‘Well that’s going on the album and it did. See if you can relate to this.”

Lawrence Gowan, who took over for DeYoung, exudes charisma and boasts an unparalleled stage presence. He effortlessly navigates DeYoung’s challenging vocal sections and brings a fresh energy to the newer material. Gowan’s keyboard skills on the rotating podium are impressive, and his boundless energy adds another dimension to the performance.

Styx members including Will Evankovich (guitar since 2021), Ricky Phillips (guitar since 2003), Todd Sucherman (drums since 1995), James Young (original member since 1972), Lawrence Gowan (keyboard/vocalist since 1999), and Tommy Shaw (guitar/vocalist since 1975) electrified the audience in Costa Mesa. Their setlist cleverly balanced classics with newer tracks, affirming their status as a dynamic and enduring band.