{"id":18492,"date":"2026-08-24T13:26:43","date_gmt":"2026-08-24T13:26:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/houstonmusicreview.com\/wordpress\/?p=18492"},"modified":"2026-08-24T13:26:43","modified_gmt":"2026-08-24T13:26:43","slug":"styx-chicago-the-cynthia-woods-mitchell-pavilion-the-woodlands-tx-aug-20-2026-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/houstonmusicreview.com\/wordpress\/2026\/08\/24\/styx-chicago-the-cynthia-woods-mitchell-pavilion-the-woodlands-tx-aug-20-2026-review\/","title":{"rendered":"Styx \/ Chicago – The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion – The Woodlands, TX. – Aug. 20, 2026 – Review"},"content":{"rendered":"

Written by Dave Clements<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>The Windy Cities Tour blew into The Woodlands Pavilion this Thursday night with not a whisper of air moving through the venue as the first of the two true co\u2011heading bands, Styx, took the stage just before the sun dipped behind the lawn at this beautiful venue.<\/p>\n

Tommy Shaw, JY Young, Lawrence Gowan & Associates delivered a full sixteen\u2011song set \u2014 including a two\u2011song encore \u2014 and reminded everyone why their show hasn\u2019t changed much over the last several years: because it works<\/em>. In this reviewer\u2019s opinion, that\u2019s a very good thing.<\/p>\n

Their energy remains high, their musicianship tight, and their chemistry unmistakable. And of course, keyboardist Lawrence Gowan continues to do his thing<\/em> atop the pedestal planted stage right. He\u2019s all over that keyboard, spinning, pointing, posing, and absolutely worthy of every second of camera time.<\/p>\n

I did think that the graphics behind the guys was better than I’d seen in the past…would describe it as very creative, vivid and bold.<\/p>\n

They kicked off the evening with Build & Destroy, Too Much Time On My Hands (wish I had that problem), and Lady, one of my personal favorites. From there, it was a parade of classics: The Grand Illusion, Fooling Yourself, Blue Collar Man, The Best of Times, and Come Sail Away, another favorite of mine.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Their encore \u2014 Mr. Roboto and Renegade \u2014 sealed the deal.<\/p>\n

Styx continues to perform like a band that wants<\/em> to be out on tour, and the audience continues to show up wanting exactly The Styx Experience as\u2011is. That sure seems like a winning combination to me.<\/p>\n

Before moving on let me add that it was fun seeing Tommy Shaw play the banjo as he sang Our Wonderful Lives and also good seeing Chuck Panozzo join the guys on stage late in the set and play bass guitar . Chuck was there in the beginning with his twin brother John plus Dennis DeYoung in the early 60’s.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>About twenty after nine, actually a little earlier Chicago took the stage. This \u201crock band with horns\u201d carries a catalog that earned them a spot in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2016 \u2014 at least the original members: Peter Cetera, Terry Kath, Robert Lamm, Lee Loughnane, James Pankow, Walter Parazaider, and Danny Seraphine.<\/p>\n

During their set the hits were all there: If You Leave Me Now, Make Me Smile, Colour My World, Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?, You\u2019re the Inspiration, Saturday in the Park, Feelin\u2019 Stronger Every Day, Free, and of course 25 or 6 to 4.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re going to ask me who \u201cthey\u201d are, I\u2019m going to have a difficult time answering. There were nine guys on stage, if I counted correctly. Of the three men who currently own the band Chicago \u2014 James Pankow, Robert Lamm, and Lee Loughnane \u2014 only Loughnane was present this night playing his trumpet and standing center stage. The other two, although active behind the scenes, no longer tour due to health and medical limitations.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Chicago also has a newcomer singing the parts nicely once handled by Peter Cetera. His name is Rudy Cardenas, who joined the group in June 2026, replacing Neil Donell\u2026 who replaced Jeff Coffey\u2026 who replaced Jason Scheff\u2026 who replaced Peter Cetera. Band lineage can be complicated, but Cardenas handled the role with confidence and respect.<\/p>\n

\ud83c\udf1f Final Thoughts<\/p>\n

Two legendary bands, Two full sets, One terrific hot Texas night.<\/p>\n

Styx brought the fire. Chicago brought the horns. And The Woodlands Pavilion brought the setting that made it all feel timeless.<\/p>\n

If you love live music \u2014 and I know many of you do \u2014 this tour is absolutely worth attending.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Written by Dave Clements The Windy Cities Tour blew into The Woodlands Pavilion this Thursday night with not a whisper of air moving through the venue as the first of the two true co\u2011heading bands, Styx, took the stage just before the sun dipped behind the lawn at this beautiful venue. Tommy Shaw, JY Young,… <\/p>\n

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