Styx Sails Away with Fans in Salt Lake City on a Night of Classic Rock Bliss
June 15, 2025
This past week the Utah First Credit Union Amphitheater echoed with the sounds of prog rock and nostalgia as Styx made their return to Utah, joined by Don Felder and familiar touring mates, The Kevin Cronin Band.
The evening kicked off with Don Felder, who jumped right into playing songs from a little band that he used to be a member of – The Eagles. Fans sang along to classics such as “Heartache Tonight,” “Take it Easy” and “Life in the Fastlane” enjoying every minute of the set but the closing number is what set the crowd ablaze. When the notes to “Hotel California” hit the speakers the energy in the venue went up another level. Hearing it played by one of the artists who wrote it hit a lot differently and more impactful than the hundreds of covers I’ve seen performed. After the song ended fans gave Felder and the band a well-deserved standing ovation.
Next up were the familiar faces of the Kevin Cronin band, who you might recognize from REO Speedwagon. Seeing Cronin and the guys on tour with Styx is a familiar site at this point and it felt like welcoming back old friends we hadn’t seen in a while. Love him or hate him Cronin puts on an undeniably good show and that is just what fans experienced as the band played the Hi Infidelity album in its entirety followed by some fan favorites. Knowing that the album was being played in order was like being given a cheat sheet in high school for an exam. We all knew what was coming and when to expect it. This led to some great singalongs throughout the set which at times left Cronin playing the guitar with a giant smile on his face as the fans sang the vocals to the band’s delight. They wrapped the evening up with the mega hit “Can’t Fight this Feeling” and the aptly fitting closer “Roll with the Changes.” Say what you will about Kevin Cronin but there’s no denying the musical abilities and sheer joy he brings to the stage.
A full half hour after the sun went down Styx took the stage and any relief fans felt from the heat was short lived as Styx ignited the venue for the rest of the night. With a career that spans over 50 years and 18 albums there is a lot of material to put together a setlist for the fans and it’s incredible to see these songs still bringing in a younger audience each time I make it to one of their shows.
Styx shows are always a high energy affair, and this one wasn’t any different. Keyboardist, Lawrence Gowan sets the energy as he dances around the stage and his keyboard while lighting a fire in the fans that keeps the energy from ever dipping. Gowan trades off vocal duties along with Tommy Shaw (guitar) and James “J.Y.” Young (guitar) throughout the evening while they and the rest of the band, drummer extraordinaire Todd Sucherman, Will Evankovich (guitar) and Terry Gowan (bass) put on a clinic in musicianship.
Song after song keeps the audience enjoying the show and singing to hits such as “Lady,” “Too Much Time on My Hands” and “Come Sail Away' and when we reach the closing songs of “Mr. Roboto” and “Renegade” fans are waving their arms and singing along reliving the glory days of arena rock. Overall it was an experience that proved great music and a trip down nostalgia lane is great for the soul.