On Thursday evening, Clearwater welcomed the storied Styx and their 2021 Crash of the Crown Tour to Ruth Eckerd Hall in support of the band’s 17th studio album. Styx fronted by longtime members Tommy Shaw and James Young treated the sold-out crowd to a 21-song set that included songs from nine different albums, including five from the band’s latest endeavor Crash of the Crown.
Crash of the Crown, the band’s first LP in 4-years, is a 15-song collection that finds the veteran rockers looking at the current upheaval in the world while expressing hope for the future. Styx frontman Tommy Shaw told ABC Audio that staying positive in the face of adversity is “an attitude [that] has always been reflected in Styx music.” The album was produced by Will Evankovich, who also co-wrote several songs on the album with Shaw.
After five decades of performing and entertaining the masses with their vintage brand of rock-n-roll, it was still evident on this evening that every rocker on that stage was enjoying themselves and that they still love performing for their fans. The crowd responded accordingly, creating yet another magical Styx evening. If the 19 songs, 2-set musical journey wasn’t enough to excite the senses. How about a 2-song encore featuring fan favorites, “Mr. Roboto” and “Renegade” to close out the evenings’ festivities.
Styx has earned eight Top 10 singles on the Hot 100, beginning with “Lady” and “Come Sail Away.” Others include their #1, “Babe,” as well as “The Best of Times” and “Too Much Time on My Hands.” Their multi-platinum albums include 1981’s Paradise Theatre and 1977’s The Grand Illusion.
The current lineup of this masterful band of storytelling troubadours includes James “JY” Young (lead vocals, guitars), Tommy Shaw (lead vocals, guitars), Chuck Panozzo (bass, vocals), Todd Sucherman (drums, percussion), Lawrence Gowan (lead vocals, keyboards) and Ricky Phillips (bass, guitar, vocals).
(Photos by Shawn Brandon)
Ruth Eckerd Hall Setlis 8/5/2021
Set One
The Fight of Our Lives
Blue Collar Man (Long Nights)
The Grand Illusion
Lady
Save Us From Ourselves (tour debut)
Light Up
Rockin’ the Paradise
Man in the Wilderness
Too Much Time on My Hands
Suite Madame Blue
Set Two
Red Storm
Miss America
Sound the Alarm
Crystal Ball
Crash of the Crown
Fooling Yourself (The Angry Young Man)
Khedive
Lost at Sea
Come Sail Away
Encore:
Mr. Roboto
Renegade
Remaining Tour Dates
Aug 10 – Norfolk, VA – Chartway Arena
Aug 11 – Durham, NC – Durham PAC (Styx only)
Aug 13 – Sylvania, OH – Centennial Terrace & Quarry
Aug 15 – Lewisburg, WV – State Fair of West Virginia
Aug 18 – Des Moines, IA – Iowa State Fair Grandstand (with Tesla)
Aug 19 – Evansville, IN – Old National Events Plaza (Styx only)
Aug 21 – Woodstock, IL – McHenry County Fairgrounds
Sep 04 – Milwaukee, WI – Summerfest
Sep 8-9 – Phoenix, AZ – Celebrity Theatre
Sep 11 – Brighton, CO – Adams County Fairgrounds (with Jefferson Starship)
Sep 14 – Salt Lake City, UT – Utah State Fairpark (Styx only)
Sep 22 – Puyallup, WA – Washington State Fair (with REO Speedwagon)
Sep 24 – Las Vegas, NV – The Venetian Theatre (Styx only)
Sep 25 – Las Vegas, NV – The Venetian Theatre (Styx only)
Sep 26 – Las Vegas, NV – The Venetian Theatre (Styx only)
Oct 01 – Atlantic City, NJ – Tropicana Showroom (Styx only)
Oct 02 – Waterloo, NY – del Lago Resort & Casino
Oct 06 – Hampton Beach, NH – Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom (Styx only)
Oct 09 – Bensalem, PA – Parx Casino
Oct 15 – Lake Charles, LA – Country Club at the Golden Nugget
Oct 16 – Biloxi, MS – IP Casino Resort and Spa
Oct 21 – Amarillo, TX – Amarillo Civic Center Complex
Oct 23 – Austin, TX – Nutty Brown Amphitheatre
Oct 24 – Helotes, TX – John T. Floore Country Store
Nov 18 – Ralston, NE – Ralston Arena
Nov 19 – Salina, KS – Stiefel Theatre for the Perf. Arts
Nov 20 – Springfield, IL – UIS PAC