(Live Review) STYX + LOVERBOY - Rockford, IL (11/14/25)
- Mark McQueen
- 8 minutes ago
- 7 min read
Greetings, friends, fans and followers and welcome to another Beard & Little Johnny review. Tonight, we covered perennial Chicago favorites Styx, (along with undying Canadian sensations Loverboy) as they took their tour through their home state of Illinois at the BMO Arena in northern suburb Rockford. This would be the Beard's third viewing of both bands and even Little Johnny was excited to attend this one feeling both acts were fairly good for geezer rock.
The 7500-seat BMO Arena sadly was only a little over half filled here on a Friday night in November. Surprisingly so since Styx was probably expecting more hometown support. (Ed: It would help if their new album was half as good as their 2021 opus, The Crash of the Crown. It isn't.)
That said, Beard and Little Johnny were here in the front frow of section 115 with a clear view of the stage. The Beard was taking it easy this show while Johnny enjoyed a beer and two hot dogs (which at Arena pricing cost 42.00 dollars.) Arenas really should just check you out while holding a pistol and wearing a ski mask because that is what it feels like.
About ten minutes before the start of the show, there was an announcement pushing a Styx charity fundraising booth where fans for twenty bucks could get both a copy of their latest CD and a raffle ticket for a chance at a guitar signed by all the members of Styx. Sadly, the Beard did not win any guitar this evening. At precisely 7:30pm, the lights went out and the opening strains of "Notorious" began as Loverboy hit the stage.
LOVERBOY
As I have previously pointed out, Loverboy are one of the most stable bands from the 1980’s still touring today with four of their five members being 45-year originals and the one that isn’t (bassist Spider Sinnaeve) has been with them 25 years.
Loverboy musically are one of the most solid opening bands anyone can get. Although singer Mike Reno physically looks like he went to the buffet table and forgot to ever walk away from it, he still retains his attitude and fun-loving spirit. Loverboy knows exactly what their job as openers is and they do it the same way every time.
After an energetic and really good "Notorious", they continued with an equally good "Lucky Ones" & "The Queen of The Broken Hearts". After three songs, Reno was singing well, Paul Dean, Spider, and Doug Johnson were in synch and drummer Matt Frenette was keeping good time. At that point Loverboy was exceeding expectations and I began to wonder if this was a potential 90 plus set unfolding.
"Take Me to the Top" was also good, and even "The Kid is Hot Tonight" was solid, but by "Loving Every Minute of It", (which was the first one to really pop the crowd), Reno was starting to sound winded.
Mike Reno will drive you crazy watching his very odd way of handling the microphone (holding it out away from his face and often up near his forehead.) Many onlookers think he is lip syncing or mouthing to backing tracks, but that isn’t the case. Reno sounds alternately solid and strong, and then at other times, wispy and tinny up there. It is really him just doing his thing.
Spider continues to do a better than average bass solo and Doug Johnson plays underappreciated keyboards, but by "Hot Girls in Love", Reno was struggling. You could see him mopping his bandanna covered brow every few minutes and he was quickly doing more standing than moving around on stage.
Finishing with the two big ones normally gets him by as the crowds love both "Turn Me Loose" & "Working for the Weekend", but this set, Mike couldn’t get his voice all the way up on the one high note for "Turn Me Loose" and the crowd, although loud for the first chorus, dropped off after that. Likewise, the arena was loud for the first chorus of "Working for the Weekend", but again dropped off quickly and with almost half the seats empty anyway, you could feel the energy drop which was exactly what Reno did not need to happen.
Normally, with Loverboy, they start slow and finish big. This set was the reverse. The first three songs were 90+, but the last three were 75 so once again I have to allot them an 85 for a working man's opener.
What did you think Johnny?
"I think that front guy got tired Beard. Still, for old guys they play some ok songs. I guess I dig em kinda sorta."
STYX
After about a half hour changeover, Styx hit the stage just before nine o clock opening with "Build & Destroy" from their newest album of the same name. Styx music sounds like Styx music with that blend of guitars and keys that they have been known for over the last half century. I also have to say, in the last ten years, they have released three newer albums and for the most part they measure up making Styx more than just a touring dinosaur band. I enjoyed "Build & Destroy". (Ed: You always had crappy taste, Beard!)
After that it was a run of the hits. "Too much time on my hands" was next (to the crowd’s enjoyment), and 72-year-old guitarist Tommy Shaw continues to defy logic, singing and playing like the classic 1970’s version of himself. Shaw nailed a great solo to "Grand Illusion", before giving the stage over to singer Lawrence Gowain for a Dennis DeYoung classic from Styx II, "Lady". (Ed: Time to run to the washroom!)
For many, Gowan will never be Dennis DeYoung and that is simply that. But after 25 years, he has been around for about as long and frankly he CAN play and sing. Maybe not AS well as Dennis in his prime, but he is what this band needs and wants and I will not criticize him. "Lady" was good. (Ed: Sigh.) After that song came one of the two high points as the band nailed a perfect "Lorelei". It was correct in every aspect and when I heard fans behind us saying, “I don’t really know this one…,” I wanted Little Johnny to peg them in the head with something. What the Hell people?
Next up, it was time for band founder J.Y. Young to get his one big song, and he gave his throaty deeper tones to "Miss America". Solid.
Then Styx threw in an odd one pulling out "I’m Ok" from Pieces of Eight. I had never heard that one live before, but it was cool that they did a deep cut for the hardcore fan and I did enjoy hearing it and remembering that album had more than just the well-known hits on it.
Next was THE moment of the set as Shaw delivered 1975’s "Crystal Ball". Outstanding vocals and guitar work, plus Gowan executed the haunting keyboard section exactly right. That song might be one of my top five live songs of 2026. (Ed: Erm, are you time travelling, Beard? It's still 2025.) Spectacular.
Although the average fan probably preferred the next song “Rocking the Paradise,” for me, it was a step down after "Crystal Ball". The band then took another step down, playing "Michigan" from the new album. It was ok, but never landed for me really. They followed that with their sap-soaked super ballad "The Best of Times". I mean, sure it is popular, but I am not a sophomore in high school at the dance looking to catch a feel anymore. For me, this one can get in line behind "Open Arms", and "I want to Know what Love is". None of them need to be played unless someone is trying to get laid.
"Blue Collar Man" was next which got the energy back up, but I far preferred "Fooling Yourself" because Gowan showed off why he is in the role of DeYoung. Good vocals, GREAT keyboards. He nailed every part of that song, equal parts melancholy, and hopeful. Wonderful job there.
Of course, they closed the regular set with the sing-along "Come Sail Away". They had good graphics on the big screen behind the band, and the hot second movement mostly saved it, otherwise that song has been done to death.
Encores as expected were the reason we hated Dennis DeYoung ("Mr. Roboto")and the reason we loved Tommy Shaw ("Renegade"). Both were fitting to explain why Styx was successful and why they fell into challenging times in the late 1980’s.
After the post set bows and waves, the band departed the stage, and I was left feeling like I too had some of the best and worst of Styx tonight. I love the band and always rate them high, but would dearly love to make my own set list and hear them play that, rather than so many of the overdone chestnuts. However, I imagine that is how every bands' fans feel at every concert. We would all love to hear our favorites. I appreciate that Styx is still doing it and I really enjoyed the evening and both bands. I will crack a cold one for Styx on the strength of "Crystal Ball" and "Lorelie". 93/100.
How was Styx for you Johnny?
"I liked the singer, Beard. He jumped on his piano a lot. Did you see that thing spun around like a merry go round? He even played backwards a couple times. He was fun to watch. A few of those songs I remembered from being a kid. That "Come Sail Away" is about UFO’s, right?”
"Yes, John it is."
“That’s cool Beard. Hey, want to get something to eat on the way home?"
And that brings Beard Reviews episode #105 to a close. Remember to friend and follow Mark McQueen on Facebook, Instagram, and social media. Catch the videos of these shows on my TikTok page at thebeard0728, read our weekly reviews right here at The Mighty Decibel, and remember to catch Wild Dogs Radio for Chris Tighes great Metal content each week.
Until next time, this has been the Beard & Little Johnny reminding you to Live Life. Stay Heavy & Horns Up.