Clarkston,Michigan(June 15,2024)-Saturday evening, classic rock and roll enthusiasts flocked to the Pine Knob Amphitheatre in Clarkston, Michigan with hopes of reigniting some youthful memories.Foreigner & Styx: Renegades & Juke Box Hero’s Tour rolled into the suburb of Detroit promising an unforgettable night of classic rock brilliance, featuring two of the genre’s most iconic bands. With special guest John Waite along for the ride the stage was set for an epic journey through decades of rock history and a powerful reminder of why these bands have remained enduring legends.
John Waite, known for his distinctive voice and chart-topping hits as a solo artist along with fronting successful outfits the Baby’s and Bad English, opened the evening with an impressive set that immediately encapsulated the early arriving crowd. Dressed in his trademark black, Waite’s charismatic stage presence was forefront from the moment he stepped into the spotlight. His set began with the banger “Midnight Rendezvous,” a powerful track that rekindled the memories of many fans, a majority who had forgotten all of the monster hits this music icon has accounted for. Waite’s voice, still resonant and soulful as ever, reverberated through the venue during the powerful cut “Change,” while the slower Bad English ballad “When I see You Smile,” highlighted the softer more intimate side of his catalog.
The highlight of Waite’s performance came with his 1984 smash hit, “Missing You.” The audience sang along, their voices merging with Waite’s in a poignant chorus that continued through a cover of the Baby’s hits “Head First” and “Back on My Feet Again.” His performance was a masterclass in rock vocals, blending emotion and technical prowess with age old hits that when performed live are just as vibrant and memorable as they were decades long past.Waite’s brief but memorable set concluded with “Back on My Feet Again,” along with a medley of “Whole Lot Of Love/Let Me Love You Baby,” leaving the audience primed for the main acts to follow.
Following a brief intermission, the stage was transformed for Styx, whose theatrical approach to rock ‘n’ roll has captivated audiences for decades. The band opened with “The Grand Illusion,” a fitting introduction to their signature blend of progressive rock and arena anthems. Tommy Shaw and James “J.Y.” Young, the band’s stalwart guitarists and vocalists, commanded the stage with a charismatic presence that belied their many years as the faces behind the band. Joining them were drummer Todd Sucherman who came aboard in 1995, as well as keyboardist/vocalist Lawrence Gowan. Will Evankovich became a full-time member of the band in 2021 and the latest addition to the lineup is bassist Terry Gowan who took over for the recently departed Ricky Phillips.
Styx’s set was a masterclass in rock showmanship, combining intricate musicianship with elaborate stage production. “Too Much Time on My Hands” and “Lady” were early highlights, showcasing the band’s ability to craft memorable melodies and harmonies. The interplay between Shaw and Young was particularly captivating, their voices blending seamlessly in a way that only decades of collaboration can achieve.
One of the more memorable moments of the night was the performance of “Come Sail Away” with founding member Chuck Panozzo joining current band members on stage. The song’s majestic build-up and soaring chorus had the sold out venue singing along, creating a sense of unity and shared experience that is the hallmark of live music. Shaw’s vocals were pitch-perfect, his delivery imbued with a sense of wonder and nostalgia.
Styx also delved into their more adventurous material with “Fooling Yourself (The Angry Young Man)” and the searing “Miss America,” songs that highlight their penchant for complex arrangements and thought-provoking lyrics. Styx’s ability to balance their more introspective tracks with arena-ready anthems continues to be an aging testament to their versatility and enduring appeal.
To close out the 13-hit filled song setlist, Styx delivered a powerful take on “Renegade,” a song that has become synonymous with the band’s name. The crowd’s enthusiastic response was a testament to the song’s enduring popularity and the band’s ability to connect with their audience on a visceral level both young and old.
Its a testament of perseverance and dedication for any band to have a long and successful career in music industry. Styx, formed over five decades ago in Chicago, still has the fan base and the chops that allows them to continue to sell out arenas worldwide. Tonights performance was a bonafide “hit parade,” filled with many of the biggest hits the genre has ever witnessed and had fans standing singing from the first note to the very end of pure rock and roll bliss.
As the lights dimmed on the sold out Pine Knob Amphitheatre for the final time Saturday and strains of the intro music began to permeate the venue, the crowd erupted in cheers for the iconic Foreigner. The band, led by the dynamic Kelly Hansen, launched into “Double Vision,” a high-energy opener that immediately had the audience on their feet where they would remain for the rest of the evening. Hansen’s electrifying stage presence and powerful vocals brought a renewed vitality to Foreigner’s classic hits, proving that the band’s music remains as compelling today as it was in the 1970s and 80s.
Returning to Pine Knob after the start of their Farewell Tour in 2023, Foreigner once again held the “Farewell” card until the very end of the show, just before the sextet closed its hour and thirty minute set with “Hot Blooded.” Explaining the demanding nature of the material, Hansen acknowledged that “it’s harder and harder to do these songs the way they deserve to be done” and vowed that, “We want to go out on top, not starting to fall and starting to suck so when you go home you go, ‘Well, that was disappointing.’” Instead, he advised, “Let’s not hang on to old, tattered things because we love them and they are familiar. Let’s enjoy them while they are robust and full and vigorous and love them in memory when they’re gone.”
As they have in the past and continue to do each and every night, Foreigner demonstrated once again that it’s learned to mitigate those demands, primarily on the 63-year-old Hansen’s voice, with a set that provided necessary breaks while still keeping the show going through its modest 11-song setlist. There were lengthy band member introductions and prolonged keyboard and drum solos as well as extended song arrangements that gave guitarists Bruce Watson and Luis Maldonado room for solos on select cuts. With no saxophone player in the band any longer, Maldonado and Michael Bluestein covered those parts on “Urgent,” with the latter taking the mid-song solo on a keytar.
The setlist was a carefully curated mix of Foreigner’s greatest hits, each song greeted with enthusiastic accolades. “Cold as Ice” and “Head Games” both early set stalwarts,each had their timeless melodies evoking a wave of nostalgia. The band’s tight musicianship was evident, with extended song arrangements that gave guitarists Bruce Watson and Luis Maldonado room for solos that transported the audience back to the band’s heyday.
A standout moment came with the performance of “Waiting for a Girl Like You.” The song’s haunting melody and emotive lyrics were beautifully rendered, with Hansen’s voice capturing the longing and romance that have made the track a perennial favorite. The band also paid homage to their roots with “Feels Like the First Time,” a song that encapsulates the exuberance and excitement of discovering new love.
As the band launched into “Urgent,” the energy in the amphitheater reached a fever pitch. The pulsating rhythm and infectious solos had the crowd dancing and singing along right back at the band. The night reached its crescendo with Hansen’s usual foray into the crowd during “Juke Box Hero,” mounting a show staple hydraulic riser by the sound board before returning to the stage and finishing the main set with smoke jets and a brief burst of pyrotechnics. “I Want to Know What Love Is” was extending with some soulful vamping, and “Hot Blooded” certainly sent the remaining fans home happy with the memories that Hansen mentioned during his pre-song discourse.
The Foreigner & Styx Renegades & Juke Box Hero’s Tour is more than just a concert; it was a celebration of the enduring power of rock music. Each act brought something unique to the stage, creating a diverse and dynamic experience that catered to fans of all ages. From John Waite’s soulful introspection to Foreigner’s arena-sized anthems and Styx’s theatrical extravaganza, the night was a testament to the timeless appeal of classic rock. The concert itself was a reminder of why these bands have remained relevant and beloved for so many years. Their ability to evoke powerful emotions, create lasting memories, and bring people together through music is a rare gift. For the thousands of fans in attendance. it was a special Saturday night to remember, a journey through time that reaffirmed the enduring magic of rock ‘n’ roll.
John Waite Performs at Pine Knob Amphitheatre
Styx Performs at Pine Knob Amphitheatre
Foreigner Performs at Pine Knob Amphitheatre
John Waite:
