Photos By: Toby Clark

The Hard Rock Casino in Cincinnati, OH. was ready to rock as Styx made their final stop of the year here. The ballroom was at capacity just after 8:00 P.M. as the band took the stage. They are still touring off the 2021 album release "Crash of the Crown". The band kicked off the night with a song from the new album called "The Fight of Our Lives". The crowd was all on their feet as they went right into a crowd favorite "Blue Collar Man (Long Nights). The energy of the crowd fueled the band as they went into "The Grand Illusion".

The crowd finally had a chance to catch their breath as Styx broke out the mega hit power ballad "Lady". The new album is a must pick up by any rock fan. It has the classic Styx sound even a decade later as this is the 50th Anniversary Tour of the band. Next up was the title track of the new album "Crash of the Crown" The crowd was really into the new songs mixed into the set. It was time for the band to go way back into the 70's catalog with "Light Up" & "Suite Madame Blue". The guys bounced right back to a new track with "Sound The Alarm". The band stopped to sing Happy Birthday to James Young and Libby the bad ass Light Director. Libby is one of the best Light Directors out there.

The band sounded amazing and gave their all. Tommy Shaw said he was fighting allergies but still kept the throttle wide open. Next up was another song from the vault "Crystal Ball" followed up with "Rockin' the Paradise". Cincinnati was in for a treat on the next number as the founding member Chuck Panozzo joined the band on stage on the bass to perform "Fooling Yourself (The Angry Man)". The crowd was having the time of their lives singing right along with the band. Styx went right into another chart topper with "Too Much Time On My Hands".

Up next was a piano solo by the one and only Lawrence Gowan with a song called "Khedive". Chuck Panozzo joined Lawrence onstage as the two played a new song called "Lost At Sea". The rest of the band came out to join them on the next tune and one of their biggest song of their careers "Come Sail Away". The band exited the stage as the crowd screamed and wasn't leaving until they got more Styx!

The band made their way back to the stage one more time as they pulled out the classic "Mr. Roboto". It was time for their last song of the night as Tommy thanked everyone for supporting the band for the last 50 years. It was time for "Renegade" and the crowd went nuts singing every word and dancing to the music. This was a great night for the fans hearing a great band, but also a great night for the band as they see their music is still moving people. If you have never seen Styx live what are you waiting for. Check out their upcoming tour schedule as they start back up in January.

Setlist:

1. The Fight Of Our Lives
2. Blue Collar Man (Long Nights)
3. The Grand Illusion
4. Lady
5. Crash Of The Crown
6. Light Up
7. Suite Madame Blue
8. Sound The Alarm
9. Band & Crowd Sings Happy Birthday to James Young and Libby the Light Director
10. Crystal Ball
11. Rockin' The Paradise
12. Fooling Yourself (The Young Angry Man) (Performed With Original Bassist Chuck Panozzo)

13. Too Much Time On My Hands

14. Khedive (Piano Solo With Lawrence Gowan)

15. Lost At Sea (Lawrence Gowen & Chuck Panozzo Perform By Themselves)

16. Come Sail Away (Performed With Original Bassist Chuck Panozzo)

Encore:

17. Mr. Roboto

18. Renegade (Performed With Original Bassist Chuck Panozzo)