The Windy Cities Blow Through Toronto: Styx & Chicago Turn RBC Amphitheatre Into a Time‑Traveling Rock Revival
- jaybroderick
- Jul 31
- 9 min read
By: Jay Broderick
Toronto, Canada - A co-headlining night like this doesn’t come around often. A time machine that could take me back to the 1970s and 1980s would probably be the greatest trip ever. Unfortunately, science has yet to figure this one out, so the next best thing would be a Styx and Chicago tour, rightfully called “The Windy Cities Tour”. On July 28th, 2026, RBC Amphitheatre hosted the 2 legendary bands in another summer gem on the lake. Another reminder of how deeply Toronto loves its classics, and another night where the 1970s and 1980s roared back to life.
Chicago
Chicago, Illinois' aptly named band Chicago formed in 1967... DAMN! Essentially, 60 years ago. The thoughts of this is absolutely mind bending to me, but what's more, the band has NEVER had a year where they did not hit the road. CRAZY! OK, so the band's original lineup is not intact, but even that original founding member, trumpeter Lee Loughnane is still kicking it like it was 1967 is an absolute feat not matched by many. With an endless array of awards, platinum records, and achievements, there was no doubt this outdoor venue was ram packed with 16,000 strong. And this was just the opening act.... WHAT???
The band hit the stage twenty minutes early, catching half the crowd off guard, including the 7 photographers. We missed half of the "Introduction" as we arrived in the pit minutes after 7:00, expecting a 7:20 start. Kinda sucks since we're only allotted a small amount of time to grab our photos, but what do you do? You hustle in, shake it off, and immediately get swept up by the sheer size of this band. Ten members, horns, brass, percussionists… a massive ensemble that fills the stage and the amphitheatre with colour.
“Hello Toronto! Welcome to Chicago!” Loughnane joked as the band rolled into their second track "Dialogue (Part I & II)", and from there it was exactly what saxophonist Ray Herrmann promised later in the set... "a night full of hits". But I'll honestly put up my hand here... as I was explaining to my fiance about this show tonight, I admitted to her that I probably didn't know any songs from the band, despite knowing that they were massively popular. She guaranteed me that I knew a lot of their songs. As usual, she was right... boy, was I ever wrong!
The band rhymed off tracks like "Alive Again", and "If You Leave me Now" as bright images flashed across the massive screen behind the massive ensemble. But for the band's 7th track, the slow intro to "Color My World" triggered a wave of cheers, but when the flute came out after the first verse, the crowd erupted. It was a wonderful moment of recognition from an audience that clearly grew up with these songs. Another explosion of applause came when "Does Anybody Really Know What Time it Is" as percussionist Ramon “Ray” Yslas stood behind his kit, clapping and hyping the crowd like a conductor of chaos. Then came the swinging, crooning vibe of the track as the video screens flashed clocks and old film runout... a nostalgic visual cue for a band that practically invented nostalgia.
Then Chicago took us back to the greatest decade of all... the 1980s! Loughnane happily bellowed out “Let’s go back to the 80s!” before "Hard Habit to Break". Throughout the set, each band member took turns on vocals, this one not being any different, the brass section hopped up on the riser, percussionists and keys dancing around the stage. And again, another highlight moment came when the piano intro to “You’re the Inspiration” drew a loud, unified "awwwww" from the crowd. I couldn’t help but think of my fiancé, an amazing inspiration in my life! It's certainly a song I knew going in and lead vocalist Rudy Cardenas certainly did original vocalist Peter Cetera proud! For me personally, this ballad hits harder now than ever. And perhaps even hundreds of other fans as I notice even the security guards were singing along.
This performance was a complete barrage of memories flooding back, and reflections of life... both the joys, and the pain. Images of Walter Parazaider appeared on the screen during "Old Days", a touching tribute to the founding member who passed in 2025. Bassist Eric Baines took over vocals for "Beginnings", and then came one of the night’s most joyful moments. The band encouraged the crowd to rise for "(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher", a Jackie Wilson cover. Normally I’m not a fan of sitting at concerts, but this older crowd and softer, live theatre vibe made it feel right. And when they asked the fans to stand, it felt earned.
The highlights continued during the band's cover of The Spencer Davis Group's "I’m a Man", which the band explained made it onto their debut record. While the track itself kicked up the tempo 10-fold, it was the ensuing drum-and-percussion battle that unfolded that was a completely unexpected surprise. As the rest of the band left the stage, bongos bonged, drums pounded, and the rhythm mesmerized. To top it all off? A double bass finish!!! The crowd loved every second.
The final stretch was a parade of classics "Just You ’n’ Me", "Street Player", "It’s Hard for Me to Say I’m Sorry", "Saturday in the Park", and more. When they left the stage, the crowd, who were on their feet for the final leg, stayed on their feet, applause unending... and yes, you guessed it... Encore! The band returned for "Free" and "25 or 6 to 4" to close their set. The audience still stood standing, still singing, still transported back fifty years. An hour and 45 minute time machine. As a co-headliner, Chicago played a full set, and they made every second count.
Chicago Photo Gallery (all photos by: Jay Broderick)
Styx
Also from Chicargo (as my people call it), Styx are the babies on this tour. They were only born in 1972, making them 5 years the junior of tonight's band holding the opening slot. But think about it! That's still over 50 years of rockin' and rollin'! It's a band I distinctly recall listening to on multiple K-Tel compilation records when I was a kid in the late 70s and early 80s. They were a mainstay. Everybody knew them. Everybody loved them. This was clearly evident by the reaction from the crowd tonight, a lot older than I, and not surprisingly, a lot younger than I. Despite the energy from the crowd during the opening set, these boomers, x'ers and millenials were about to get real for tonight's headliners.
Our group of 7 turned to 8, but we weren't going to miss a second of this set. We arrived plenty early, and as the lights faded, the sweet ear candy of Ronnie James Dio's voice burst through the RBC speakers as Black Sabbath's "Mob Rules" ruled the airwaves. HUH??? I've heard "Sweet Caroline" played at a deathcore show, but I can honestly say I have never heard metal being played ahead of a 70s rock show. And it brought a whole new level of respect for Styx. I have had the complete honour of covering 2 previous shows of the band, and yes, I'll say I'm a fan.... but now they're blasting out Black Sabbath before their set? RESPECT!! As the intro track ended, the band appearing through superb lighting, I think 'man, these guys are always a pleasure to photograph.' They kicked off with "Fooling Yourself (The Angry Young Man)" from 1977's The Grand Illusion. Yep! This was going to be another hit filled set. The band gathered in front of the drum riser toward the end of the track, and then headed out to the front of the stage, shoulder to shoulder, as if a salutation to their lifelong fans. And we were off!
1975's "Lorelei" came next, smiles everywhere (the band clearly loves what they do, and it shows). "Build and Destroy" followed, and before I knew it, our three-song pit rule was up. HUH??? This can't be right. It literally felt like 60 seconds. As a photographer, it's easy to get lost in the moment, especially when it's a band like Styx. The band has superb lighting. They are complete showmen. Vocalist Larry Gowan's presence is larger than life and guitarist Tommy Shaw's seemingly ageless self is a spectacle to watch as he makes that electric guitar speak. Getting escorted out of the photo pit always sucks, but tonight, it sucked 100X worse... I simply wanted more. I'd damn well better get my gear checked and to my seat pronto.
As we made our way out of the pit, Gowan greeted the fans. “Welcome hometown Toronto! Let’s see if they can hear us in Scarborough!” he shouted. I'm pretty sure all you local readers will know that that's where the Gowan brothers (including bassist Terry) grew up. The "suburb" that sits just east of the big smoke. The crowd roared back at Gowan's challenge, and maybe the folks on his old street really did hear them as the singer/keyboardist played the opening notes of "Lady". Those of us who had review tickets worked our way towards guest services in order to check our gear. There was about 5 of us who were staying, so it took a bit to get checked in, and then I made my way back to the stage area. Unfortunately, I missed one of my favourite Styx songs "Too Much Time on My Hands" but eventually arrived back inside for "The Grand Illusion", the title track from the band's worldwide smash record release in 1977.
After "Light Up", guitarist Tommy Shaw stepped forward. "It's so amazing to be here. You just never know what might happen when you write a song!" He continued to share the story of buying a 12-string guitar all those years ago, and sitting down and writing "Crystal Ball". He sang the opening lines solo, just Tommy and his gee-tar, sounding absolutely fantastic. I think back to my first coverage of the band in 2022, and marveling at how great Tommy sounded... both vocally, and his abilities to master his guitar. 4 years have passed. 4 years older, and he still sounds like he did 50 years ago... truly! The crowd joined in on the chorus, and Tommy listened with a smile. “So nice!” he said. The band joined in, psychedelic imagery splashing across the screens, drunken fans dancing around me, Tommy switching to electric and making the guitar come alive. As the track ended, (Larry) Gowan called out, “Listen to that!” as the crowd roared. "This year marks the 50th anniversary of 'Crystal Ball', and Tommy still sings it like he did five decades ago". See? Even Gowan agrees with me! The crowd rose to their feet in appreciation.
The band's lead singer then took the opportunity to introduce the rest of the band. When he eventually got to guitarist James Young, Gowan did what he always does best (aside from his vocal performance)... he threw out some playful jabs about Young's age, and when JY stepped forward, the crowd stood again, giving him a raucous ovation, in grand appreciation for all the man has accomplished. It was heartfelt, and adds a personal level of closeness that the fans feel when it comes to the musicians they love.
Even guitarist Will Evankovich took his turn at greeting the crowd as he introduced “Our Wonderful Lives". The track was introduced as the first Styx song to ever feature a banjo which Shaw picked to kick off the music. Meanwhile, a guy walked by me with a bloody nose, another hobbling on an injured leg, drunken fans everywhere. What is this, Slayer at The Concert Hall, circa 1989?? LOL! Nothing vicarious, just 16,000 music lovers rocking out and partying with one of their favourite bands. "The Best of Times" and "Blue Collar Man" kept the energy high, the latter drawing one of the loudest eruptions of the night, and another personal favourite. This time, I actually got to watch and listen, unlike the band's 5th song of the night.
Gowan then declared, “I think you guys have had sufficient time to warm up your voices. You sound absolutely amazing!” and played the opening notes of "Come Sail Away". The amphitheatre lit up with cell phones, the crowd belting out every word. When the tempo picked up, dancing joined the singing. It was a massive, unified celebration. And a masterclass in showmanship from the band. That was of course, up until the encore... "Mr. Roboto" and "Renegade" closed off the night with the proverbial bang! The grand finale! And what a send off it was!
Set List
Fooling Yourself (The Angry Young Man)
Lorelei
Build and Destroy
Lady
Too Much Time on My Hands
The Grand Illusion
Light Up
Crystal Ball
Rockin' the Paradise
Our Wonderful Lives
The Best of Times
Blue Collar Man (Long Nights)
Come Sail Away
Encore:
Mr. Roboto
Renegade
I’m extremely thankful to have been approved to cover Styx over the past few years. Their showmanship is second to none. Their music remains relevant. Some of these guys have been belting it out for fifty years, and they still deliver a phenomenal show.
Chicago brought the nostalgia. Styx brought the fire. Together, they brought Toronto a night that proves music’s greatest magic is its ability to transport us. Not just back in time, but back to who we were when these songs first mattered.
Styx Photo Gallery (all photos by: Jay Broderick)
Styx Online
Show Date: July 28, 2026
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