STYX, REO SPEEDWAGON AND LOVERBOY LIVE
My wife and I were fortunate to be able to see Loverboy, REO Speedwagon and Styx at The Hartford Healthcare Amphitheater in Bridgeport on Friday night. It was my wife’s birthday and seeing as I was covering the show for AMP, we were going to be sitting up-close and personal. We got there early, the multitude leaked in and by looking around the amphitheater I could tell the vibe was electric and the crowd was feverish!
The waiting wasn’t prolonged and just like that, the lights came down low like a beautiful sunset on a spectacular September evening and Loverboy took the stage. Mike Reno, wearing his signature bandanna sounded great plowing through an eight-song set that began with “Notorious” and “Lucky Ones”. A remarkably lively amplified “Lovin Every Minute of It” got the crowd’s hands in the air. Loverboy wrapped it up with “Turn me Loose” and a fantastic and energetic rendition of “Working for The Weekend” that left the audience wanting more.
After a short intermission REO Speedwagon took their spots on the stage opening their set with “Don’t Let Him Go” and “Take It on the Run”. Old school REO fans will remember that the first self-titled album, “REO Speedwagon” was recorded at Connecticut Recording Studio, in downtown Bridgeport back in 1970. The song “157 Riverside Avenue” was written about the house where the band stayed during those sessions. Unfortunately, REO didn’t play that song but they did mention their historic connection to The Park City. With so many great songs to choose from, it is understandable some would be left out. “Time For Me To Fly” got everyone in the crowd to light up their phones (Today’s version of the sea of lighters from past generations.) REO finished strong with three great songs “Ridin’ the Storm Out,” “Keep on Loving You” and “Roll with The Changes”.
Styx opened with “Fight of Our Lives” and “Blue Collar Man”. Styx’s sound is unmoving and there is a bound restlessness evident in Tommy Shaw’s behavior once he takes the stage. It’s pure artistic energy that he can only unharness through music. He is literally all over the stage, interacting with James “JY” Young, Chuck Panozzo, Todd Sucherman, Lawrence Gowan and Ricky Phillips, at 69 years young, Shaw looks to be having the time of his life on stage. Styx played crowd favorites like “The Grand Illusion” and a rare rendition of “Lady” in which I could not hear much difference between Lawrence Gowan and former front man Dennis DeYoung. “Fooling Yourself” and “Too Much Time on my Hands” were done with a flawlessness that left me wondering what year it was? “Come Sail Away” brought the throng to its feet begging for an encore AND WE GOT IT! “Mr. Roboto” and one of my all-time favorites (like most Steelers fans) “Renegade” would close out the evening.
Styx and REO christened the HHC Amphitheater a year ago and we were there for that show as well. As I said then, The AMP (The Hartford Healthcare Amphitheater) was the star. It is the perfect mix of a relaxing framework that brings the focus on the talent in a way that makes the interaction personal and tangible. With talent like this, it is no wonder why the venue has quickly become “the place to be” for summer entertainment.
Happy Birthday Sweetheart,
I just want to keep on loving you!
[Total_Soft_Gallery_Video id=”295″]
To learn more about Styx, check out their website
Follow on Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / YouTube
Stream music: Spotify / Apple Music
Views: 594
