Styx makes its return to West Texas

Styx makes its return to West Texas

Being my age, I started attending concerts in 72, you truly appreciate bands that have stood the test of time, they are rare but do exist.  Bands that you’ve seen a half a dozen times over the years and are still touring and still making music.    Well sports fans, that is certainly what we had here in last Sunday night at the Abraham Chavez Theatre in beautiful downtown El Paso, Texas, as Styx entertained a damn near sold out crowd with their Circling from Above Tour 2026.    For me, this makes the 5th time I’ve seen them, starting back in the mid 70s and one of those times, they opened for Kansas.  I did cover them when they were here couple years back and same venue.  This past Sunday, I was pretty excited about this one, great venue, great band, great lighting, oh yeah, we’re good to go.

As stated, bands that have stood the test of time, Styx is no exception.  James JY Young is absolutely the only original member from the band’s conception in 72, Tommy Shaw joined in 75, so for the most part, Tommy and James are the only original members left.  The current lineup is as follows, James Young on guitar, Tommy Shaw on guitar, Terry Cowan on Bass, Lawrence Cowan on the Keys, Will Evankovich on guitar and Todd Sucherman doing the honors on percussion.     They have toured the world, mutable times, produced 18 albums in 53 years (I bought Crystal Ball when it came out in 76) Had 4 straight muti-platinum selling albums.  Their current release is due in July, Circling from Above, hence the tour by the same name.

House lights down at 8:20 sharp, and the boys strolled out onto the stage.   Started out with Build and Destroy, but the second song when off like a double barrel shotgun as the band cut into Too Much Time on my Hands, the crowd went nuts about as much as this 60-year-old crowd could muster, make no mistake, very well received.    The 15-song set list was packed with one hit after another, Blue Collar Man, Come Sail Away, The Grand Illusion and of course, Lady.   They finished off with a double shot of an encore, Mr. Roboto and a crowd favorite, Renegade.   Here’s a cute fun fact, Lawrence Cowan who joined the band in 99, now has his younger brother Terry playing bass and officially joined the band back in 23, so I guess it’s only fitting to have a set of brothers in the band, or as it should be.     The band cut though set list like a hot knife though butter, yeah, it was over before you knew it.   I have to admit, the boys looked to be having a fantastic time on stage, especially Terry Cowan, he was fun to shoot.    All in all, a great show that stirs up memories from a much simpler time, the 70s were a magical time for me, and the same goes for this epic band and still at it strong as ever, 54 years later.    In closing, check those dates, buy the ticket and take the ride, if you’re a Styx fan, this is an absolute must.  Thanks for your time and of course, I’ll see you at the next rock show.

Story and Photography by Tim Schumann

Set List-

Build and Destroy

Too Much Time on my Hands

The Grand Illusion

Lady

Great White Hope

Light Up

Lorelei

Crystal Ball

Rockin the Paradise

Blue Collar Man

The Best of Times

Fooling Yourself

Come Sail Away

Encore-

Mr.Roboto

Renegade