In The Loop Magazine Legendary Southsider, Styx Comes Home On The Windy Cities Tour And Rocks Allstate Arena

Legendary Southsider, Styx Comes Home On The Windy Cities Tour And Rocks Allstate Arena

Aug 03, 2026 admin_bitlc Features, Music News, Reviews 0

By Kelly Clausen

For more than 50 years, Styx has carried the sound of Chicago rock across the world. On Saturday night, the band returned home to prove that its music still has the power to fill an arena, unite generations and turn thousands of fans into one massive singalong.

Performing at a near-sold-out Allstate Arena in Rosemont alongside fellow Chicago legends Chicago, Styx brought The Windy Cities Tour to one of its most meaningful stops. The tour focuses on cities throughout the Great Lakes region, but this was more than another date on the schedule. It was a homecoming. Both bands of which are Illinois Rock n Roll Hall of Fame members.

Both Styx and Chicago were born on the South Side decades ago, and Styx’s story began in the Roseland neighborhood, where brothers Chuck and John Panozzo joined up with Dennis DeYoung to form the foundation of a band that would eventually become one of classic rock’s most enduring names. After signing with Chicago-based Wooden Nickel Records, Styx began a journey that would take them from local clubs to sold-out arenas around the world.

More than five decades later, the lineup has evolved, but the band’s identity remains firmly intact. Founding bassist Chuck Panozzo continues to make special appearances, while longtime pillars James “J.Y.” Young and Tommy Shaw remain at the heart of the group. Together today, with keyboardist and vocalist Lawrence Gowan, drummer Todd Sucherman and bassist Terry Gowan, Styx has successfully carried its legacy into the new millennium while continuing to build a new generation of fans.

The near-capacity crowd at Allstate Arena was proof that the music has not lost its connection. Taking the stage about a quarter after seven, Styx launched into a career-spanning set packed with familiar favorites and selections from the band’s new album, Circling From Above. From the opening moments, the energy inside the arena was electric. The backdrop video was of a vintage car radio and the songs changing on the dial.

Fans sang along to nearly every word, especially in the front row, often sounding like an additional member of the band. It was one of those rare arena shows where the audience did not simply watch the performance they became part of it.

Behind the musicians, a massive LED video wall transformed throughout the night, filling the stage with visuals designed around the lyrics, themes and moods of each song. The imagery added a modern, cinematic layer to the classic material without distracting from the musicians themselves. It was polished and ambitious, but still felt like a rock show rather than a production built around technology of light and sound.

Musically, Styx was locked in. Lawrence Gowan remains one of the band’s most dynamic performers. As co-frontman, keyboardist and vocalist, he brings an unmistakable energy to the stage. His powerful voice continues to reach the demanding notes that define so many Styx songs, while his animated personality keeps the show moving. Whether spinning behind his signature swivel keyboard, changing costumes or dancing across the stage, Gowan performs with the enthusiasm of someone who genuinely enjoys every moment.

Tommy Shaw sounded as strong as ever. His guitar work remained sharp and commanding, and his vocals showed little sign of wear after decades on the road. Shaw still delivers the soaring melodies and memorable guitar leads that helped define the Styx sound, and his presence gave the show both confidence and warmth.

James “J.Y.” Young provided the steady foundation fans have come to expect. His guitar work and backing vocals were solid throughout the evening, offering a familiar connection to the band’s earliest years while helping anchor the current lineup.

Behind the kit, Todd Sucherman delivered another masterclass in precision and power. Having performed with Styx for more than 30 years, Sucherman has become an essential part of the band’s identity. His performance also carried the spirit of original drummer and founding member John Panozzo, whose influence remains woven into the band’s history and sound.

Will Evankovich played guitar as well with the band this night. He’s been involved with Tommy Shaw and Styx recordings for years as a Producer and session player. He compliments the live experience and brings an even fuller wall of sound to the concert.

The newest member of the lineup, bassist Terry Gowan, fit comfortably into the group. The family connection was impossible to miss, he is the son of Lawrence Gowan, but his presence felt earned rather than ceremonial. His bass playing was confident, energetic and fully connected to the band’s established chemistry.

One of the night’s most emotional moments came near the end of the set when founding member Chuck Panozzo joined the band onstage. The audience responded with a warm and enthusiastic welcome as Panozzo picked up his bass and took part in several songs including “Come Sail Away”, “Mr. Roboto” and “Renegade”. His appearance served as a reminder that while Styx has continued to evolve, its history is never far from the stage.

Styx’s sound has always lived somewhere between progressive-rock ambition and arena-rock accessibility, combining soaring harmonies, dramatic keyboards, muscular guitar riffs and enormous singalong choruses. Their music can feel cinematic and theatrical one moment, then turn into a straight-ahead, guitar-driven rock anthem the next. That balance of technical musicianship, memorable melodies and larger-than-life presentation has helped Styx remain instantly recognizable for more than five decades.

Throughout the night, the band expressed sincere gratitude to Chicago for decades of friendship, support and shared musical history. Touring together under the banner of The Windy Cities Tour felt especially appropriate. These were not simply two classic-rock acts sharing a bill. They were two Chicago institutions returning home together.

More than 50 years after Styx first emerged from the Southside Chicago Roseland neighborhood, they still remain a powerful live force. The players may have changed, the stages may have grown larger and the technology may be more advanced, but the songs continue to connect.

At Allstate Arena, Styx did not perform like a band relying on nostalgia. They performed like a group still moving forward celebrating its past, embracing its present and continuing to circle above the rock-and-roll landscape with no sign of coming down.

For more on Styx, click here

For more on Chicago, click here

For photos of Styx live at Allstate Arena, click here

For photos of Chicago live at Allstate Arena, click here