They began their set with their powerhouse ballad “The Grand Illusion,” which was well-received by the New York audience, and it was followed by “Too Much Time on My Hands,” the mid-tempo “Fooling Yourself (The Angry Young Man)” and the melodically-stunning “Miss America.”
“It’s so good to see you up on your feet. I say we continue,” Lawrence Gowan said, prior to singing “Lady,” as the stage was graced in purple lights. “It doesn’t get any more classic rock than ‘Blue Collar Man’,” the band said, and they broke into the performance.
Gowan continued with an exceptional keyboard medley that included Elton John’s “Rocket Man,” Queens’ “Bohemian Rhapsody” and the sultry “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay” by Otis Redding. “Oh, it is going to be a long, long time,” Gowan said. “That was incredible,” he added, praising the Long Island audience for singing along.
“It’s a beautiful night to be beside the ocean. Is it not?” he asked, prior to encouraging the fans to light up their iPhones for their closing number “Come Sail Away,” as they were chanting along with the iconic group.
For their encore, they returned to perform two additional songs, which included “Rockin’ the Paradise” and the crowd-favorite “Renegade.”
The Verdict
Overall, Styx put on an impressive set at Jones Beach Theater, and they were able to warm up the stage for Def Leppard. They are worth seeing live when they are in town. Their show garnered 4 out of 5 stars.
For more information on Styx and their forthcoming tour dates, check out their official website.
