Styx

Foreigner
Styx
Kansas
Mohegan Sun
Uncasville, Connecticut
June 18, 2010
Tony Pijar

For fans of great rock from the 70s and 80s, this package is akin to a wet dream! I can’t remember Styx, Foreigner and Kansas ever playing together on the same stage. In fact, these three bands were quite likely in friendly competition with each other back in the day. But, here they are rocking across the US on a co-headlining tour to packed out arenas with Kansas intact as special guests. Each band never strayed too much from their multi-million selling hits to the rapturous delight of the fans in attendance.
Kansas commenced the activities and only played for a little over a half an hour. Because of the short time allotment, the band was unable to spread out and demonstrate their progressive stylings. Rather, they stuck close to the vest airing the likes of “Carry on my Wayward Son”, “Fight Fire with Fire”, “Point of no Return”, etc. Steve Walsh is still a gem of a singer and performer.
Styx, featuring long-time guitarists Tommy Shaw and James Young, completely rocked the joint. The energy both on and off stage during their set was unbelievable. Like Kansas, all of the band’s hits were played including “The Grand Illusion”, “Renegade”, “Too Much Time on my Hands”, “Miss America”, “Mademoiselle”, Fooling Yourself” and “Come Sail Away.” It’s a shame that Dennis DeYoung isn’t around anymore, but Lawrence Gowen is multi-talented and filled in admirably. I hate medleys, but the one Styx presented wasn’t half bad. We got snippets of “Pieces of Eight”, “Superstars”, “Rockin’ the Paradise”, and even “Mr. Roboto.” Whoever thought we’d ever hear the phrase “Domo Arigato” again!
While Mick Jones is the only remaining member of Foreigner, he has found the right group of guys to carry on the name with confidence and brilliance. Kelly Hansen has replaced one of the greatest rock singers of all time in Lou Gramm and has done so with composure and ease; he’s a great front man and a terrific singer. Just like the above bands, Foreigner checked off all of the multi-million selling hits one by one and added in a few tunes from the largely excellent “Can’t Slow Down.” “Hot Blooded”, “Double Vision”, “Cold as Ice”, “Head Games”, “Urgent”, “Juke Box Hero”, “Feels like the First Time”, etc. With every band, the hits were aplenty!
I find it endearing that these timeless bands can continue to not only tour, but sell out large arenas with relative ease. I hope you get a chance to see this show because it was utterly brilliant and entertaining from one band to the next.