Yes, Styx - CMAC, Canandaigua, NY - July 07,2011
Saturday, July 9, 2011 at 6:54AM 
Review - John Jeffrey, Photos - Thomas S, Orwat, Jr.
Canadaigua, NY - Canandaigua's CMAC Performing Arts Center was the site for the third night of the 2011 Yes/Styx "Progressive U.S. Tour." CMAC is a great open air venue, with just enough coverage to protect concert goers from any of nature's elements. Thankfully, it was a beautiful evening, with clear skies and perfect temperature, for a great night of classic prog rock. Unfortunately, the combination of these two legendary bands wasn't a huge draw on a weekday summer night, as the 2,400 presales, plus the few thousand walk-ups, made this 13,000 capacity venue look rather sparse. Nevertheless, the true diehards who made the trek, would not be disappointed by either of these veteran artists.
One similarity between Yes and Styx is that both groups feature replacement members, taking the place of prominent vocalists in each band. Yes' founding member and lead singer, Jon Anderson, has been replaced by a Yes tribute band singer from Canada, Benoit David, and Styx has Dennis DeYoung's void being filled by sound alike, Lawrence Gowan, who also hails from the great white north. At least for Yes, there is currently only one version of the band touring, as with Styx, there is essentially 2 bands touring under the "Styx" brand. Original Styx vocalist, Dennis DeYoung, is currently on tour as "Dennis DeYoung and the Music of Styx," while original guitarist, James "JY" Young and cast, simply go by "Styx." Both lineups play a similar set of greatest hits, and while 'Styx' has Lawrence Gowan singing the DeYoung songs, DeYoung has a Tommy Shaw clone (August Zandra) singing his respective tunes. Both DeYoung and Styx have solid musicianship amongst their respective bands, but the big difference between the two groups is in their stage presentation. DeYoung's campy delivery could be compared to Adam West's portrayal of Batman, while Styx and their consummate professionalism would be the modern day Dark Knight.
When Tommy Shaw, Todd Sucherman, Ricky Phillips, Lawrence Gowan, and JY hit the stage on Thursday night, ripping into "Blue Collar Man," it was immediately clear why they own the bat cave. They ARE Styx. With a stage comprised of amps, video screens and a spinning keyboard riser, the band tore through a 90 minute, 13 song set in a systematic fashion, leaving the fans wanting more after every song. Tommy Shaw made it clear that he is the front man of Styx, with most of the songs being sung by him, but don't be mistaken, Lawrence Gowan is no slouch. When not manning the keyboards, Gowan, dressed head to toe in black, vamped across the stage, giving True Blood's Bill Compton a run for his money. The showmanship doesn't end with Shaw and Gowan, as the entire band flows with the energy and enthusiasm that makes Styx a great live band. While the fans ate up the hits, one would hope to hear new material played live by the current regime at some point. Ending their show with an encore of their classic, "Renegade," it was clear that Styx was the crowd favorite, as many isles cleared out and did not fill back up before Yes hit the stage.
Setlist
Blue Collar Man
Grand Illusion
One With Everything
Too Much Time
Lady
Lorelei
Man in the Wilderness
Suite Madam Blue
Crystal Ball
Fooling Yourself
Miss America
Come Sail Away
Encore:
Renegade
For pictures and review of Yes, click here.
Special thanks to Amanda Cagan.
For more on Styx, please visit www.styxworld.com
Thomas