The evening of June 22 at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion was a nostalgic trip back to the heyday of rock, featuring powerhouse performances from Styx, Foreigner, and the opener, John Waite. The venue was buzzing with excitement as fans of all ages gathered to witness the legendary bands that have defined a generation.

      John Waite: An Intimate Beginning
      John Waite took the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion stage first and kicked off the night with a rocking set that felt both powerful and nostalgic. Waite first came to attention in the late 70s as the British lead singer and bassist of The Babys, so it was only fitting that his 8-song set was loaded with The Babys songs. Waite started the night with The Babys “Midnight Rendezvous.” Other songs from The Babys included “Head First” and “Back on My Feet Again.” Absent from his set was the top-charting song from The Babys “Everytime I Think Of You” which he has omitted so far on his 2024 tour. Two years ago when Waite last performed in town his set was a more conservative acoustic set with Waite wearing a suit jacket and playing an acoustic guitar. This time however Waite was all rocker, in his look and his stage persona, while playing an electric guitar which seemed to suit him better. John’s solo presence on the radio dial during the early 80s led to him most likely being known for his monster hit "Missing You" and his first solo charting song "Change" both of which were included in his set tonight. In 1988 John was also a member of the supergroup Bad English which included Waite’s The Babys bandmates Jonathan Cain and Ricky Phillips, along with Neal Schon and drummer Deen Castronovo from Journey. This was represented in his set with a performance of the Bad English Hit “Everytime I See You Smile.” Waite's performance was marked by his signature voice and engaging stage presence. Waite was joined by bandmates Tim Hogan on bass, Alan Childs on drums, and former Sebastian Bach guitarist Brent Woods. Waite announced to the crowd during his set that he was now an American citizen. Congratulations John and thanks for the memories.

      Foreigner: Putting on a Hall of Fame Performance
      Next up for this night of the co-headlining tour, Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame 2024 inductee Foreigner hit the stage with an electrifying energy that immediately had the audience on their feet. Opening with "Double Vision", the band tore through a setlist of greatest hits, including "Cold As Ice", "Juke Box Hero", and "Urgent." Kelly Hansen's vocals were spot-on, capturing the spirit of the originals while adding his own flair. His dynamic performance, including a foray into the audience, brought an extra level of excitement to the show.

      I still wonder what percentage of the audience knew or cared that no original members were on stage? Surely, most realized that Lou Gramm, the man who sang all of those hits on the studio albums, is no longer in the band. Original guitarist Mick Jones, who recently has taken a back seat to performing, makes only special rare performances with the band due to his illness. Most likely fewer in the audience thought anything about classic-era bassist Rick Willis and drummer Dennis Elliott, both still alive, being MIA. (Original rhythm guitarist Ian McDonald passed away in 2022.) Regardless, with the current top-notch musical professionalism and dead-on attention paid to all the details of the originals, this show was exactly what their fans young and old came to see.

      Currently, the longest-touring members of the band are singer Kelly Hansen (since 2004) and Jeff Pilson (since 2008). Last year saw Jeff Pilson on a chair most of the night but this year he was all over the stage. Even though they joined after Foreigner had already had their run of success, Hansen and Pilson have given Foreigner what it needed to stay in their fan's spotlight. However all that may be coming to an end after this current co-headlining tour with Styx, we shall see.

      The encore culminated in a powerful rendition of "I Want to Know What Love Is" featuring a local choir, The Montogomery Madrigals, from Montgomery High School here in Texas. This created a magical moment of unity and emotion with the entire audience singing along. Foreigner ended their high-energy set of rock and roll with “Hot Blooded.” Since this was a co-headlining tour and their time on stage was a little shorter, the only difference from their set the last time Foreigner was in H-Town was the omission of their acoustic 3-song set.

      Styx: A Symphonic Rock Journey
      Styxtook the stage next and from the first chord of "The Grand Illusion" it was clear they were here to deliver a show. The band's trademark harmonies and intricate musical arrangements were on full display. Tommy Shaw and James "J.Y." Young led the charge, their energy undiminished by the years. Highlights of the set included "Come Sail Away", "Renegade" and "Blue Collar Man" and each song met with thunderous applause. The addition of Lawrence Gowan on keyboards has added a dynamic layer to their performance, especially during the theatrical "Mr. Roboto", which had the crowd singing along to every word.

      Styxwas originally formed in 1972. They are best known for blending melodic hard rock guitar with acoustic guitar, synthesizers mixed with acoustic piano, upbeat tracks with power ballads, and incorporating elements of international musical theatre. Joining Tommy Shaw and James "J.Y." Young in this current lineup are original member Chuck Panozzo on bass and occasional backing vocals in a limited capacity, Todd Suchermanon on drums, percussion and occasional backing vocals, Lawrence Gowan on keyboards, lead and backing vocals and Will Evankovich on guitar, backing vocals, and occasional mandolin and keyboards. Terry Gowan, Lawrence's brother, fills in on bass and backing vocals since Chuck Panozzo has not been performing full concerts since 1999.

      Styx’s light show and stage effects were a visual treat, enhancing the epic feel of their music. The band's chemistry was undeniable and their performance felt both polished and passionately spontaneous. They managed to strike a perfect balance between nostalgia and freshness, proving that their music is as relevant and powerful today as it was decades ago.

      Overall Experience:
      The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion proved to be the perfect venue for this rock spectacle. The acoustics were excellent, as they always are, and the open-air setting added to the concert's vibrant atmosphere. Kelly Hansen even announced during the Foreigner set in a somewhat adult but X-rated fashion that "We have air-conditioning up here." Both Styx and Foreigner showed they still have what it takes to captivate and energize a crowd, while Jon Waite provided a perfect, heartfelt introduction to the night.
 
      In summary, the concert was a resounding success offering a mix of nostalgia, masterful musicianship, and pure rock and roll energy. Fans left with smiles, hoarse voices, and the echo of timeless anthems ringing in their ears. It was a night to remember for anyone lucky enough to be there.

      Deep Thought:
      Maybe one day Styx can take a break from touring which would allow Tommy Shaw to team up with Jack Blades of Night Ranger, Ted Nugent, and Michael Cartellone. who currently is touring with Skynyrd, to play a few Damn Yankees dates. One can only hope.


Styx Set List:
The Grand Illusion
Too Much Time on My Hands
Lady
Lorelei
Crash of the Crown
Miss America
Rockin' the Paradise
Blue Collar Man (Long Nights)
The Best of Times
Deeo In The Heart Of Texas (Alvino Rey & His Orchestra Cover)
Fooling Yourself (The Angry Young Man)
Come Sail Away
Encore:
Mr. Roboto
Renegade 

Foreigner Set List:
Double Vision
Head Games
Cold as Ice
Waiting for a Girl Like You
Dirty White Boy
Feels Like the First Time
Urgent
Drum Solo
Juke Box Hero
Encore:
I Want to Know What Love Is
Hot Blooded

John Waite Setlist:
Midnight Rendezvous (The Babys song)
Change (Spider cover)
When I See You Smile (Bad English song)
Best Of What I Got (Bad English song)
Missing You
Head First (The Babys song)
Back on My Feet Again (The Babys song)
Whole Lotta Love / Let Me Love You Baby (Medley)