“Hello, New Jersey, what the fuck?!” Screamed Kelly Hansen, lead singer of Foreigner, excitingly. Hansen perfectly summed up the entire night. On July 23, the Styx, Foreigner and John Waite trio invaded the PNC Bank Art Center in Holmdel, New Jersey. The hot July summer can be unruly and cruel but all three bands put on a show to remember. By the end of the night, “The Renegades & Juke Box Heroes” tour blew the audience’s minds, left them positively deaf, and left smiles on their faces.
The PNC Bank Art Center is one of the first exits once you get to the Jersey Shore and is also in Bon Jovi and Bruce Springsteen country. I had not been to this venue in a very long time. In fact, the last time I was here, I saw ZZ Top & John Fogerty on the “Blues and Bayous” tour back in middle school. The amphitheater throughout the summer hosts some of the biggest touring artists and this night was no different. Foreigner is celebrating their legacy on their farewell tour as Styx continues to solidify their status as a rock powerhouse. Additionally, Waite further submitted his status as a lyrical and vocal genius.
Waite greeted the New Jersey audience first as fans were still filing in and getting comfortable. The band served up “Midnight Rendezvous” first for the fans. In addition to Waite, the quartet consisting of Alan Childs on drums, Timothy Hogan on bass and Matchbox Twenty guitarist Kyle Cook formed a force to be reckoned with. The eight-song set was jam-packed with The Babys, Bad English and solo material.
From the band’s rendition of “When I See You Smile,” to “Head First,” fans knew every single word and were singing along with the band. Waite was a great warm-up act. His band was tight, his vocals were spot on and he got the crowd in the mood for the other two bands.
John Waite’s touring band is:
John Waite – Lead Vocals/Guitar
Kyle Cook – Lead Guitar/Background Vocals
Alan Childs – Drums
Timothy Hogan – Bass
Setlist:
1. Midnight Rendezvous
2. Change (Spider cover)
3. When I See You Smile
4. Every Time I Think of You
5. Missing You
6. Head First
7. Back on My Feet Again
8. Whole Lotta Love/Let Me Love You Baby
By 8:00 the sun was tucking itself behind the lawn seating and the house lights shut off. Styx charged on stage and blasted into “The Grand Illusion.” Just hearing the name Styx takes me back to my childhood friend’s house and seeing his signed setlist from the band. From that moment, I have seen the band three times (including this stop). Every show that I see them, they just get better and better.
After the departure of longtime bassist, Ricky Phillips this year, lead singer, Lawrence Gowan’s brother, Terry Gowan was called up to bat. Terry Gowan is equally as entertaining as his brother is. Lawrence Gowan has the classic Styx spinning piano and throughout the band’s set, he was dancing, climbing the piano and commanding attention from the crowd. Throughout the night, the entire band was running around the stage and interacting with the audience. Guitarist Tommy Shaw ran from side to side and jumped sky-high all while singing lead vocals. The Styx group is a well-oiled rock and roll machine.
Like Waite, Styx played all their heavy-hitting music like “Miss America,” “Come Sail Away,” and “Mr. Roboto.” Styx’s harmonies on the choruses are top-notch. They sound amazing and if you close your eyes, you might just think you’re listening to one of their records.
The only original member left standing in Styx is James Young. But, you wouldn’t think that he was the longest-tenured in the band. Young was laid back and cool in his all-black attire which was polished off with a leather jacket and fedora hat, really sinking into that old-fashioned, Chicago mafia look. Young was a true gunslinger in his own right on the guitar. His fingers moved effortlessly and it was like watching magic right in front of your eyes.
Whether Styx is headlining, co-headlining, or playing as the middle band, they put on such a fantastic show. It’s easy to see why they are continuing to play in every city in North America. Their showmanship is extraordinary and their music is classic.
Styx is:
Lawrence Gowan – Lead Vocals/Piano/Keyboards/Backing Vocals
James “JY” Young – Lead Guitar/Lead Vocals/Guitar/Background Vocals
Tommy Shaw – Lead Guitar/Background Vocals/Guitar/Lead Vocals
Todd Sucherman – Drums
Will Evankovich – Guitars/Background Vocals
Terry Gowan – Bass/Background Vocals
Setlist:
1. The Grand Illusion
2. Too Much Time on My Hands
3. Lady
4. Lorelei
5. Crash of the Crown
6. Miss America
7. Rockin’ the Paradise
8. Blue Collar Man (Long Nights)
9. The Best of Times
10. Fooling Yourself (The Angry Young Man)
11. Come Said Away
12. Mr. Roboto
13. Renegade
By the time Foreigner hit the stage, the night had cooled off and the fans were wanting more after Styx’s incredible set. Before fans could catch a break a voice came over the loudspeaker and screamed “Ladies and gentlemen… Foreigner!” and Kelly Hansen leaped off the drum riser and played my favorite song, “Double Vision.”
The hot night was met with a powerful set from the band. At the start of “Juke Box Hero,” Hansen rose on a mini stage in the middle of the audience. This brought a thunderous cheer from the crowd.
Despite the absence of member Mick Jones, guitarist Bruce Watson made sure to play his parts respectively. Behind long blond curly hair and blue sunglasses, Watson shredded away on his guitar with ease. It was a joy watching him play on stage.
By the time the band reached the encore, they invited the Central Regional High School Choir to join them on stage for the chorus of “I Want To Know What Love Is.” This rendition can only be described as powerful. The power of the choir and band was the perfect combination for the encore. As they played one final note of “Hot Blooded” they said their final farewell to the New Jersey audience for the last time in the band’s career and exited stage left.
Like Styx, Foreigner’s setlist was powerful and packed a heavy punch. It’s amazing to see two heavyweight rock bands share one bill. It’s very rare nowadays to see two great acts touring together. Styx, Foreigner and John Waite’s “Renegades & Juke Box Heroes” tour is one that you won’t want to skip. It’s one night of greatest hits which will make you feel like you’re “Rockin’ the Paradise,” while seeing “Double Vision.”
Foreigner is:
Kelly Hansen – Lead Vocals
Bruce Watson – Lead Guitar/Background Vocals/Guitar
Michael Bluestein – Keyboards/Background Vocals
Luis Maldonado – Guitars/Background Vocals/Lead Guitar
Jeff Pilson – Bass/Piano/Background Vocals
Chris Frazier – Drums
Setlist:
1. Double Vision
2. Head Games
3. Cold as Ice
4. Waiting for a Girl Like You
5. Dirty White Boy
6. Feels Like the First Time
7. Urgent
8. Juke Box Hero
9. I Want to Know What Love Is
10. Hot Blooded
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Follow John Waite Online:
My love for live music started with my first concert ever, Guns N’ Roses back in 2016. Since then, I’ve been able to capture photos of some amazing artists like Alice Cooper, Judas Priest, Ace Frehley, and Post Malone. I am based in New York/New Jersey and go to school in Connecticut majoring in Journalism and I am always looking for the next concert to attend.
