STYX • Chicago • August 30, 2026 • Utah First Amphitheatre
Reviewed and Photographed by Kevin Rolfe
The appropriately named Windy Cities Tour brought two legendary bands to the same stage, both of which started in the city of Chicago. Styx and Chicago, two legendary bands, played Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre on August 30, giving fans a chance to hear decades of familiar songs from two groups that have remained remarkably relevant across generations.
When I first heard of this tour, my first thought was directed to the fact that they started in the same city. My next thought was curiosity to see how these bands would sound on the same bill. They may have started in the same place, but their musical stylings are quite different.
Both bands have had storied careers, with key members departing over the years. But what has remained is a commitment to the high standards that both Chicago and Styx hold themselves to, to provide fans a level of performance and sound that these dedicated patrons have come to expect from these concerts.
Chicago
Chicago got the night started. I say night, but the sun was still out when they took the stage. Not only was the sun still out, but it was setting directly in the band’s face. The members of Chicago, being the professionals they are, just played on as if it was how they intended the lighting to be. In a way, the sun was a welcome guest, adding a visual warmth to the balmy sounds coming from the stage.
For some unsolicited information on my history with Chicago, I grew up listening to this band; Chicago is my dad’s favorite band. So I know all the songs. The hits and then some. Getting to see Chicago is always exciting for me. I’ve seen them in various iterations. The members may change, but the music remains. And their songs are so good. Their combination of rock, pop, and jazz influences has always given them a distinct sound. The moment you hear a Chicago song begin, you know it’s them. And if it’s not them, it’s someone who’s been inspired by them. The setlist for this show was excellent.
The show began with “Introduction.” From that moment on, it was so clear to the fans just how good this lineup is and how great they were going to sound all night. Regardless of the sun and the heat, Chicago was full of energy and good spirits. They seemed so happy to be on that stage. The crowd celebrated the band with appreciation, and the show was off and running.
I had the opportunity to photograph the first three songs of Chicago’s set. While I’m still listening and enjoying the music, my focus (pun maybe intended) is on capturing the band and getting the best shots I can. Once I’m done shooting and put my camera away, I can sit back and take it all in as any other fan. “If You Leave Me Now” was the first song of the set where I just got to watch and listen to how tight this band is. It was also my first opportunity to hear vocalist Rudy Cardenas. I thought he fit right in with the Chicago sound.
I was excited to hear songs like “West Virginia Fantasies,” “To Be Free,” and “Colour My World” from their first self-titled album. These songs are real gems, and I could see fans being taken back to the times in their lives when they first heard these songs. I could see some couples even dancing to “Colour My World.”
Chicago played hits from all across their catalog. One of those great stretches was when they played “Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?”, “Hard Habit To Break”, and “You’re The Inspiration.” The fans were loving it, and it was one of those great moments in a show where you can sing every word. It was a series of songs that showed just how Chicago kept themselves on the charts for sixty, yes, sixty years!
Trumpet player and the last original member of Chicago still touring, Lee Loughnane told the audience that while they were playing hit after hit, it took a long time to get there. So at first they had to play other people’s music. They played a couple of covers for us. Jackie Wilson’s “(You’re Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher” and The Spencer Davis Group’s “I’m a Man.” People rose to their feet from the front row to the lawn and danced.
As Chicago’s set began to wind down, they hit us with some huge hits. They had the crowd waving their hands from side to side as they performed “Hard to Say I’m Sorry.” Then, quickly moving as they played “Saturday in the Park.” These songs are so different, and in some ways it’s hard to believe that they’re from the same band. But that’s what makes Chicago such a great band to see live. They have so many diverse hits.
The set ended with crowd favorite, “25 or 6 to 4.” People were dancing and rocking out to this one. I can still remember the first time my dad played this song for me. It’s been a song I’ve enjoyed ever since. Hearing them play to an energetic crowd at Utah First Amp was pretty amazing.
STYX
After Chicago, it felt a little strange to think that we had an entire headlining act to go. They put on such a good set that if we didn’t know better, everyone might have felt content heading home after what they saw. But the exciting fact was that we still had Styx go. Styx coming to Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre has become a summer tradition. In many ways it’s like the holiday season with Trans-Siberian Orchestra. It doesn’t feel like summer unless I get to that outdoor venue to see Styx.
Styx wasted no time getting to their hits. They started the show off with “Fooling Yourself (The Angry Young Man). The energy of this band is so contagious. Starting off with this song gave them the opportunity to get the crowd fired up as Styx moved about the stage.
The first thing you’ll notice at a Styx concert, no matter what song they open with, is just how clean they sound. Their harmonies and their playing are all on point. It’s impressive. Especially from a band that has been around this long. There is no dip in the quality of this band.
As I mentioned before, I was photographing the first three songs of the set. When Styx began their second song, “Lorelei,” I could hear people in the box seats telling their friends how excited they were to hear Styx playing one of their favorite songs and how they did not think they’d play it. I heard another group in a different box listening to their friend assure them that they would love “Build and Destroy,” a song from “Circling From Above.” And seeing them confirm that they did love it after the song. People were loving this setlist.
Styx sweetly dedicated their breakthrough hit “Lady” to the recently passed Dolly Parton. The crowd cheered the icon and rocked out to the song in her memory. I have enjoyed hearing “Too Much Time On My Hands” earlier in the setlist on recent Styx Tours. it’s a great song to really get the crowd going. I felt like this performance brought the crowd to a higher level. Not only for this song alone, but for the rest of the show.
A Sunday show can be tricky. It’s still the weekend, but most people tend to start winding things down in preparation for their work or school week ahead. Sometimes the crowd can be lower energy than they normally might be. Styx would not let this happen. Anytime the audience even hinted at sitting down, they’d be hit with another massive hit like “Grand Illusion” or “Rockin’ the Paradise.”
Lawrence Gowan leads the way when it comes to igniting the crowd. His seemingly endless energy keeps the aging audience feeling and looking young. There was one guy near me telling his wife, “What’s with this guy? He’s making it impossible for me to sit down. Every time I think I’m going to sit, I see him moving around, and I want to stay up. I’ll be paying for this later!” He may have been sore the next day, but I know he’ll think it was worth it.
In my opinion, what makes this entire show work is what we’re getting from Tommy Shaw. It is almost impossible to believe, but Shaw is in his 70s. He looks younger and sounds even younger. His guitar playing is still fantastic, but what stands out above all else is his voice. How is he still singing these notes? I can’t believe he can still sing that high. These notes may not come to him as easily as they once did, but we’re none the wiser when we’re watching him. He received well-deserved thunderous applause following “Crystal Ball.” I see a lot of bands; many of them have been around as long as Styx. But very few of them have a singer as well preserved as Tommy Shaw.
Styx has so many hits that it’s impossible to play them all without featuring some of their newer releases. Which Styx deserves to perform. “Our Wonderful Lives,” which Styx joked was the first song of theirs to feature, of all things, a banjo, was well received. It was a good way to celebrate collaborator and newer Styx member Will Evankovich, who co-wrote the song.
Just as I enjoyed “Too Much Time On My Hands” being played earlier, I have loved hearing “Blue Collar Man” later in shows. Really, I’m good with wherever they play the song, just as long as they play it. But it is fun to hear when the crowd is fully fired up.
The night began to come to a close. “Come Sail Away” closed out the main part of the set. It is always so fun to see the crowd sing every word. Lawrence Gowan had complete command of this Utah audience. Styx left the stage to a roaring audience.
I think I’ll forever be a little shocked that Styx has resumed playing “Mr. Roboto.” It returned to the setlist some years ago, and I have no complaints. It was missed, and no matter what anyone might say, Styx fans love this song. I always look around to see if I can find that person who is annoyed that they’re playing it. I don’t think I’ve seen that fan yet. The crowd sings along, dancing (A lot of people doing the Robot throughout Utah First Amp during this one) and shouting “Kilroy!” I’m glad it’s in the set.
Styx finished the show as expected, with “Renegade.” It’s a perfect closer. Tommy Shaw sounded excellent. The crowd and band shared one last bond during this closer. People were so into this. I could tell they wanted more, but they seemed delightfully content as the concert they just witnessed.
Styx and Chicago are an unusual mix as far as music styles go. In a way, it felt like I was at two separate concerts rather than the bands complementing each other in a way that seeing REO Speedwagon or Foreigner might fit. But I enjoyed both sets very much, and regardless of the compatibility, the show was a great success.
