October 26, 2026
Styx return to Place Bell for sold out show
Rocking Laval on this Monday evening, Styx were back to serenade Place Bell with their power ballads. On tour for their eighteenth studio album, Circling from Above, this seven piece band full of legends were ready to rock and roll us, awake.
Always cutting it close when heading off the island for a show, but I managed to just get in with a few minutes to spare. I noticed they had streamlined the entry from the usual problems that created the chaos, to get us all in quicker and not miss a thing. I think they finally were forced to take into account an older audience still not integrating the digital tickets, as they had more people onsite to get everyone checked in. Probably the fastest way I’ve gotten in so far.
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The arena was filling up fast even for the openers, which was a good sign, as tickets have not been selling great lately. With a tough spot to fill, I wasn’t sure about tonight’s act completely fitting in, but my opinion changed fast once it began.
Mentana
Mentana, from Quebec, started with so much energy and enthusiasm to fill some big shoes. Folk, rock, bluegrass roots, a five member ensemble brought life to a Monday night.
Singing in their native tongue of French for most songs, with an English one thrown into the mix, and a variety of instrumental songs in between. The crowd was clapping along and seemingly feeding off the energy input.
They kept it short to six songs so Styx could take over, and they took the honor as opening and bowed as they exited fast, after a brief standing ovation. Some acts are just have a spark when it comes to their live performance and they certainly won an unexpectant audience over.
Styx
Lights, STYX, action! A montage appeared onscreen, featuring a car radio dial as it scanned through the band’s hits. Appropriate since it’s how I and many grew up listening to them, or how we learnt their songs. It opened with the most original member, Tommy Shaw’s Fooling Yourself (The Angry Young Man) on vocals. Followed by Lorelei, which continued getting the majority of the crowd out of their seats for a standing ovation, while taking us on a musical trip, transporting us all back in time.
I hadn’t gotten to experience the original lineup live, except through recordings, but I fully support Lawrence Gowan as the naturally fitting replacement choice. In his element, having taken original singer and keyboardist Dennis DeYoung spot over twenty-six years ago.
His energy and overall excitement to be onstage really breathe extra life into each song. His solo touring featured A Criminal Mind every night, but tonight, he only offered us a deep cut version of Moonlight Desires instead. Which he had originally premiered in Montreal at Laronde in nineteen eighty-seven, when I was only two. At sixty-nine years young, running all over the stage and while climbing his keyboard and still able to hit the higher notes and harmonies.
Too Much Time On My Hands is not what they had tonight to fit all the songs in. The show would have had to be extended by an hour or two to play the catalogue. Doing their best mixing up vocal lead duties, with a variety between members to keep exhaustion at bay, with help of some chairs too.
It was a build-up to the Grand Illusion as we rocked into making history with The Best Of Times. Singing along to song after song as they grooved past their element at this almost halfway point. Light Up, everybody! Does not have the same meaning now; it’s phones and vapes instead of doobies and lighters. Even though we had already warned about smoking indoors. The spirit was still partially alive, for it didn’t stop the rebellious at heart, no matter the age, from lighting something.
Crystal Ball lead into Gowan doing the band member introductions in French. Then a short birthday song his younger brother on bass Terry. Drummer Todd Sucherman joined a few years before Gowan, while guitarists Tommy Shaw and James “JY” Young are the more foundational members. Along with Will Evanchovich helping with the wall of sound, as they used their finessed guitar skills while Rockin’ the Paradise tonight. Followed by a perfect transition into Blue Collar Man. The visuals were on point and kept with each song.
Some were a little more AI-generated than needed, referencing themes from the newest album.
Slowing it down just a bit for an intense moment as Gowan captured our attention in a seven-minute rendition of a crowd favorite, Suite Madame Blue. Followed by the cover of the Quebec group Harmonium, Pour Un Instant, dedicated to Sass Jordan, who was originally slated as the opener for this tour before her untimely passing just a month before.
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To finish up this emotional roller coaster of a set, they brought out original Bassist Chuck Panozzo to pretend to pick his last songs. Come Sail Away was the obvious choice, extended for as long as people kept singing along, almost fooling some into thinking this was actually the end. It was time to get dancing for the encore, saving some gems for last. Mr. Roboto was fun to hear live. One last one Renegade, highlighting their renegade spirits.
Styx had taken our souls on a musical journey through the last fifty years, playing a solid two-hour set , and still leaving us still wanting more by the end.
