Styx & Foreigner Perform Together Live for the Last Time Ever In the Woodlands!

Styx & Foreigner co-headlined a show at The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion in The Woodlands, Tx on June 22nd, 2024 with support from John Waite on their Renegades & Juke Box Heroes Tour!

Foreigner is a British-American rock band originating from New York City, New York and was formed in 1976. Their current lineup consists of lead and backing vocalist/rhythm and lead guitarist Mick Jones, lead and rhythm guitarist/backing vocalist Bruce Watson, bassist/backing vocalist Jeff Pilson, rhythm and lead guitarist/backing vocalist/bassist Luis Maldonado, keyboardist/backing vocalist Michael Bluestein, lead vocalist/percussionist Kelly Hansen, and drummer/percussionist Chris Frazier.

Foreigner shared equal stage time with Styx for this co-headlining performance. Their high-energy set was filled with hit after hit and garnered the most engagement from the audience!

Opening with “Double Vision“, “Head Games“, and “Cold As Ice“, it was obvious we were about to witness a nostalgic live performance. The rock legends kept the same pace working through their greatest hits such as “Waiting for a Girl Like You“, “Feels Like the First Time“, and “Urgent“.

They closed out their set with their iconic track “Juke Box Hero”, where we saw Hansen pop up on a rising circle platform out of nowhere by the soundboard. He had the whole crowd singing “he’s a juke box hero, got stars in his eyes“!

After that eventful performance, they encored with their powerful ballad “I Want to Know What Love Is” where they were accompanied by local high school choir Montgomery Madrigals. The students replicated the backing vocals of the gospel choir on record. Afterwards, Hansen thanked them and reminded the audience to support the fine arts in efforts to keep aspiring young musicians dreams alive.

Hansen speaking about how important it is to fund arts programs:

“One reason out of many that we have these beautiful and talented youth choirs with us on stage is because we need to make you aware of the lack of funding for school music programs. First thing that everyone wants to cut is music and the arts. I’m sorry but the arts and music can take you around the world. It can help you imagine that no one ever conceived of until they went into the arts. I want you to contact the politicians, your school board, your teachers, and make a donation. Help make sure these young people’s hopes and dreams stay alive!”

Last but certainly not least, their second encore song was none other than their infamous song “Hot Blooded“!

Hansen expressing their gratitude before “Hot Blooded”:

“I heard this is what you’re calling our farewell tour. (crowd boos) I know, I know. I hear the boos, but that’s ok because actually I like booze. (crowd laughs) Just like Texas does. (crowd cheers) We’re not going to disappear off the face of the Earth. We just decided to not tour nine months out of the year like we have been doing for the last twenty years. You’ll see us. We’ll be around. We’ll be a little bit fresher because we won’t be dragging our ass around the world for nine or ten months out the year. Thank you guys for everything. You have warmed our hearts and you have made us ‘Hot Blooded’!

Hansen exclaimed:

“Please love and care for each other. Thank you for so much for so long! Get ready Styx is coming out to kick your ass! We love you guys. Good night!”

Setlist:

Double Vision
Head Games
Cold As Ice
Waiting for a Girl Like You
Dirty White Boy
Feels Like the First Time
Instrumental Jam Session
Urgent
Drum Solo
Juke Box Hero

Encore:

I Want to Know What Love Is (with Montgomery High School Choir)
Hot Blooded

Styx is an American rock band originating from Chicago, Illinois and was formed in 1972. Their current lineup consists of lead and backing vocalist/guitarist James “J.Y.” Young, lead and backing vocalist/guitarist Tommy Shaw, guitarist/backing vocalist Will Evankovich, bassist/backing vocalist Terry Gowan, occasional backing vocalist/bassist Chuck Panozzo, keyboardist/lead and backing vocalist Lawrence Gowan, and drummer/occasional backing vocalist Todd Sucherman.

Being a co-headlining tour the bands alternated closing slots on the tour. Styx closed out the show for this tour date. Founding members James “JY” Young (guitar) and Chuck Panozzo (bass), along with classic member Tommy Shaw (vocals/guitar) were the last longstanding members still performing live for the band. Although due to ongoing health issues, Panozzo played during only four songs as has been the case for years.

Legendary rock band Styx opened their set with “The Grand Illusion“, “Too Much Time On My Hands“, and power ballad “Lady“. This being the first song Panozzo accompanied them on stage for.

Shaw introducing Lawrence Gowan:

“You know fate has a funny way of giving you just what you need. We just happened to run into this man with the spinning keyboard in Quebec one night. He was playing and we were playing. We saw each other backstage and I just wanted to say how awesome he was. He Liked what we were doing. I said maybe we’ll see you down the road. Well we saw him and we grabbed him! He’s been a Styx man ever since. Mr. Lawrence Gowan!”

Lawrence Gowan shouted before leading into “Rockin’ the Paradise”:

“Houston, I do love you! Let’s turn this place into Paradise Theatre!”

This segued into my personal favorite portion of the evening. The upbeat working man track “Blue Collar Man” and emotional power ballad “The Best of Times“. The build up to the chorus was honestly so intense. The crowd was holding each other and swaying while joyfully singing along to each and every word. This was easily the ballad of the night.

Shaw exclaimed before “Deep in the Heart of Texas”::

“You guys are so good to us! You’ve always been good to us. Thank you for that!”

Shaw introducing “Fooling Yourself”:

“Here’s a song for all the working people out there!”

Finishing off strong they played arguably their four most known hits, two of which were encore songs. “Fooling Yourself” and “Come Sail Away” were the last two songs of the regular set. As I’m sure you could have guessed, the last two songs that were encored for the evening were “Mr. Roboto” and “Renegade“.

This was truly a night to remember as it was the last time you’ll see these iconic rock bands performing live together. It’s also a memory I will forever cherish, as I brought my father with me to experience this eventful evening alongside me.

Dōmo arigatō (どうもありがと)

Thank you very much.

styxworld.com