Courtesy of Live NationOn Friday, Styx released a new concept album titled The Mission, and tonight the veteran rockers launch a mission to rock the U.S. on a joint summer outing with REO Speedwagon and ex-Eagles guitarist Don Felder. The trek, dubbed the United We Rock Tour, kicks off in Ridgefield, Washington, and is mapped out through an August 22 concert in Holmdel, New Jersey.
Styx previously has toured multiple times with REO and Felder, and singer/guitarist Tommy Shaw tells ABC Radio that all of the musicians get along great.
“It’s like summer camp with your buds,” says Shaw, noting that because of their camaraderie, it’s common to find the various band members hanging out with each other backstage.
Tommy also says fans can expect be treated to onstage collaborations during the trek.
“There’ll probably be a little interaction, little surprises on stage,” Shaw maintains. “I can’t imagine not, because we all know each other’s songs, so it’s gonna be a fun summer.”
He adds, “With us and REO…you never know when somebody’s just gonna run out there and start singing along with you.”
Styx keyboardist/singer Lawrence Gowan, meanwhile, points out that when his band teamed up with Felder for a their Las Vegas residency in January, they played “six or seven Eagles songs every night,” so there’s a chance fans will get to see similar collaborations during this tour.
Meanwhile, although Styx has just released The Mission, a sci-fi concept record about the first manned journey to Mars, Shaw tells ABC Radio that his band likely won’t play that much of the album on this trek. “I think the record’s gonna have to take time for people to really get out there and hear it,” he explains.
Here are all the dates of the United We Rock Tour:
6/20 — Ridgefield, WA, Sunlight Supply Amphitheatre
6/21 — Auburn, WA, White River Amphitheatre
6/23 — Concord, CA, Concord Pavilion
6/24 — Los Angeles, CA, Greek Theatre
6/25 — Paso Robles, CA, Vina Robles Amphitheatre
6/27 — Salt Lake City, UT, USANA Amphitheatre
6/29 — Denver, CO, Pepsi Center
7/1 — Tinley Park, IL, Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
7/2 — Maryland Heights, MO, Hollywood Casino Amphitheater
7/18 — Tampa, FL, MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheater
7/19 — West Palm Beach, FL, Perfect Vodka Amphitheatre
7/20 — Jacksonville, FL, Daily’s Place
7/22 — Nashville, TN, Ascend Amphitheatre
7/23 — Alpharetta, GA, Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
7/25 — Clarkston, MI, DTE Energy Music Theatre
7/27 — Indianapolis, IN, Klipsch Music Center
7/29 — The Woodlands, TX, Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
7/30 — Dallas, TX, Starplex Pavilion
7/31 — Austin, TX, HEB Center at Cedar Park
8/11 — Bethel, NY, Bethel Woods Center for the Arts
8/12 — Atlantic City, NJ, Borgata Event Center
8/13 — Bristow, VA, Jiffy Lube Live
8/15 — Gilford, NH, Bank of NH Pavilion
8/16 — Wantagh, NY, Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater
8/18 — Niagara Falls, NY, Seneca Niagara Events Center*
8/19 — Syracuse, NY, Lakeview Amphitheatre
8/20 — Bangor, ME, Darling’s Waterfront Pavilion
8/22 — Holmdel, NJ, PNC Bank Arts Center
* = Don Felder won’t appear at this show.
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