The Grand Illusion Comes Alive: Styx Rocks Hard Rock Live

May 30th, 2025 it was a night to remember, Styx, one of the most iconic rock bands in history came to town and brought pure magic to a sold-out Hard Rock Live at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida, with a performance that was nothing short of spectacular. From the moment the lights dimmed, the band launched the crowd on an electrifying trip through time, opening with a full, flawless performance of their legendary 1977 album The Grand Illusion. Each track hit with nostalgic force—”Come Sail Away,” “Fooling Yourself (The Angry Young Man),” and “Miss America” sent waves of excitement through the packed venue. But they didn’t stop there—Styx kept the momentum soaring with an avalanche of fan favorites from Paradise Theater, Styx II, and Pieces of Eight, including timeless hits such as “Rockin’ the Paradise,” “Lady,” and the driving energy of “Blue Collar Man (Long Nights).”

Adding even more heart to the show was a special appearance by founding bassist Chuck Panozzo, who joined his bandmates for several songs, giving longtime fans a dose of nostalgia; the lineup also included the legendary James “J.Y.” Young, master guitarist Tommy Shaw, extraordinaire drummer Todd Sucherman, the ever-charismatic Lawrence Gowan, multi-instrumentalist Will Evankovich, and Lawrence’s talented younger brother Terry Gowan—who stepped in seamlessly for Ricky Phillips since 2024.

Photo: Julisa Sandra Marquez

One of the night’s biggest highlights was the live debut of their new single, “Build and Destroy,” an exciting teaser from their upcoming album, Circling From Above. The track blends classic Styx prog-rock richness with a modern edge, featuring Gowan’s soaring keys and Sucherman’s tasteful and precise drumming, with lyrics inspired by a powerful journey of ambition, failure, and renewal. It captures the human drive to innovate despite setbacks and doubt. Accompanied by an AI-generated music video, this performance marked a bold new chapter in Styx’s evolution—and left the crowd buzzing. If you haven’t heard “Build and Destroy” yet, do yourself a favor and check it out (link below)!

The night came to a roaring close with high-octane encores of “Mr. Roboto” and “Renegade,” sending the crowd into a frenzy and sealing the evening as a triumphant celebration of Styx’s enduring brilliance and boundless energy.