STYX, FOREIGNER & JOHN WAITE
@ RUOFF MUSIC CENTER, NOBLESVILLE (IN)
JULY 27, 2024
A blend of legendary bands came together to create an unforgettable night filled with all the hits you know and love: the timeless legends Styx & Foreigner, featuring the iconic John Waite as the opening act. This monumental concert, which kicked off in grand style in the heart of Indiana, transformed the Ruoff Music Center into a blazing inferno of musical delight.
John Waite took command of the stage with his performance, belting out all his beloved hits, including “When I See You Smile,” “Missing You”, and “Back on My Feet Again” (from his time with The Babys). His voice still holds its enchanting charm, leaving the crowd clamoring for more and bursting into cheers as he wrapped up the set with an awe-inspiring rendition of Led Zeppelin’s “Whole Lotta Love”. It was a great way to start the night.
Foreigner was next to take the stage. Despite the original band members not being in the current lineup due to Mick Jones stepping back from touring, the group is still going strong with skilled musicians like Jeff Pilson on bass and Kelly Hansen on vocals, who have been jamming with them for nearly two decades. Hansen completely stole the show with his incredible singing, perfectly hitting those iconic high notes previously sung by Lou Gramm. He commanded the stage like a true professional, delivering a performance that will stick in the audience’s minds for quite some time.
The setlist was packed with classics that had the crowd on their feet, from iconic tunes like “Double Vision” and “Head Games” to that unforgettable piano riff in “Cold As Ice”. Just as the band launched into “Juke Box Heroes”, Hansen was absent from the stage, then all of a sudden, he magically rose up into the sky on a platform smack dab in the center of the crowd, kicking off the song in style while the crowd went wild! The show continued with “Hot Blooded” to round out the evening. But before Styx could steal the spotlight the segment ended in big way with local kids from the Northview High School choir joining Hansen and the band onstage to sing “I Want To Know What Love Is”. The energy and enthusiasm of the audience were palpable, adding to the thrill of the night.
What else can be said about the next group that took the stage by storm that hasn’t already been belted out? Styx the rock ‘n’ roll legends, the Gods of classic rock, have been riding the wave of newfound stardom lately, all thanks to their mega-hit album Crash Of The Crown and an unbeatable tour schedule. The performance kicked off with “The Grand Illusion” followed by a mix of all-time hits, featuring three tracks from the Paradise Theater album stealing the spotlight: “Too Much Time On My Hands,” “Rockin’ the Paradise”, and “The Best of Times”. The title song from the album, “Crash Of The Crown,” flawlessly intertwined with timeless classics like “Blue Collar Man” and “Fooling Yourself (The Angry Young Man)”.
Keyboardist and vocalist Lawrence Gowan is clearly the showman of the group, belting out tunes with finesse, grooving around the stage, and pulling off keyboard tricks behind his back. Tommy Shaw, the primary songwriter and singer, delivered a fantastic performance and showcased his exceptional skills on lead guitar. Original band member James Young owned the stage during “Miss America”, demonstrating that he’s still got that rock ‘n’ roll spirit. The band wrapped up the main show with the classic “Come Sail Away”, followed by the crowd-pleasers “Mr. Roboto” and the timeless rock anthem “Renegade”. It was a show-stopping set that left the audience in awe.
This concert was an absolute blast from the past, delivering hit after hit by iconic bands that made the night truly top-notch. It would be a major bummer to skip out on this tour – who knows when this incredible lineup will grace the stage again, especially since this is Foreigner’s bidding farewell tour. One thing’s for sure, you’re guaranteed to have a rockin’ time!
(Photography by Julie Correll)
Styx Photos
Foreigner Photos
John Waite Photos
Styx Links
Foreigner Links
SPILL FEATURE: ANOTHER IN A LONG LINE OF JUKE BOX HEROES – A CONVERSATION WITH JEFF PILSON OF FOREIGNER
