Styx and REO Speedwagon 2012 Summer Co-Headline Tour – REVIEW

We had the great opportunity and pleasure of attending an reviewing the Styx and REO Speedwagon’s 2012 Summer Co-Headline U.S. Tour! Along with these two legendary rock bands, the bill featured Ted Nugent. The night is definitely one to remember, which you will be able to tell from our review after the break.

As I walked in to the Charter One Pavilion at Northerly Island in Chicago for the Ted Nugent, REO Speedwagon, Styx concert, I couldn’t help but notice all of the middle-aged baby boomers walking around, some wearing their favorite tour shirts from years ago and some who were accompanied by their kids, which showed their timeless passion for the greatest rock ‘n roll era ever!

A young twenty-two year old artist, Kyle Young, took the stage as the opening act.  He was a guitar soloist, who rocked the house with his awesome rendition of the National Anthem, which was the beginning of a night filled with an American, patriotic theme, which seemed very appropriate for the upcoming July 4th Holiday.  Kyle did a great job pumping up the crowd for Ted Nugent who kept the momentum going.

Ted’s stage was draped with 13 unique guitars.  His groupies where all there wearing their cowboy hats, bandanas and “Don’t Tread On Me” t-shirts.  Uncle Ted took the stage in his typical high octane, hair on fire fashion, where he started his set with Wango Tango, which got everyone on their feet.  Ted kept the audience engaged with his typical cowboy, pro-gun, bad talkin’, Michigan pride antics, which kept everyone cheering, chanting and howling!  The crowd went crazy when he played his biggest hit, Cat Scratch Fever.  Ted connected well with his audience and was sure to thank all of the branches of the U.S. military for their service to the best country in the world.

REO, who originated from Champaign, Illinois, took the stage next.  Everyone got up on their feet as they played one of their greatest hits, Take it on the Run!  The music stopped intentionally several times to let the crowd sing on, and that is exactly what they did, loudly, clearly, remembering every word as if it was 1980.  REO continued to play hit after hit including:  Can’t Fight This Feeling, Time for Me to Fly, and Keep on Rollin’.  They had some really cool background videos streaming with space ships, astronauts, and American flags as well.  The crowd could not get enough of them, who ended with their encore song, Ridin’ the Storm Out!

Styx was the grand finale and let me tell you this was a spectacular performance; they definitely saved the best for last.  This all time favorite Chicago band from the South side, started out with Blue Collar Man (Long Nights).  Their vocals were so crisp, clear and rich and the guitar licks were incredible; it sounded like this band went back in a time machine!    They continued playing all of their hits including: Too Much Time on My Hands, Lady, Lorelei, while 70’s psychedelic colors and patterns were streaming in the background.  Also, of course they played the infamous Come Sail Away. The crowd just got more and more excited with each song and just when you thought it could not get any better , Styx carried on the patriotic theme of the night and played their most  patriotic song with stars and stripes blazing in the background!

I highly recommend this concert to all of you die hard rock n rollers out there and those who want to experience this great era in a truly authentic way!

Information about the tour…
Tour: Styx and REO Speedwagon 2012 Summer Co-Headline U.S. Tour featuring Ted Nugent
Bands: Styx, REO Speedwagon, and Ted Nugent
Reviewer: Joy Weidling
Date: June 24, 2012
Venue: Charter One Pavilion in Chicago, IL