Indiana LogoIndiana Black and White Logo
Favorites
Home
  • Best of Indiana

    Best of Indiana

    • The Twenty in 20 Lists
    • State Nature Passport
    • You Voted - See the Winners!

    VIDEOS

    • Katie's Home-State Adventures
  • Things To Do

    Attractions

    • Museums
    • Historic Sites
    • Entertainment
    • Music, Art & Theater
    • Cities & Downtowns
    • Tours
    • Zoos
    • Sacred Places
    • Amusement & Water Parks
    • Casinos & Gaming
    • Spas
    • Themed Trails
    • Roadside Attractions

    Outdoors & Sports

    • State Parks & Gardens
    • Outdoor Recreation
    • Farms & Orchards
    • Lakes & Water Sports
    • Hiking & Biking Trails
    • Motorsports & Sports Teams
    • Golf
    • Ziplining
    • Camping
    • Horseback Riding

    Shopping

    • Made in Indiana
    • Antiques & Flea Markets
    • Sweet Treats & Food
    • Home & Gifts
    • Downtown Shopping
    • Outlets & Malls
    • Artisans & Handcrafts
    • Farmers Markets

    Visitor Services

    • Visitor Centers
    • Convention & Visitors Bureaus
    • Chambers of Commerce
    • Associations / Councils

    Agritourism

    • Wineries, Distilleries & Breweries
    • Seasonal U-Picks
    • Trails & Tours
    • Farming, Growing & Eating

    On a Budget?

    • Discounts
    • FREE Things to Do
  • Road Trips
  • Events

    Events & Festivals

    • Holiday & Season Celebrations
    • History & Cultural Festivals
    • Fairs & City Festivals
    • Music & Dance
    • Arts & Crafts
    • Theater & Movies
    • Food, Beer & Wine
    • Nature & Outdoors
    • Sports & Competitions
    • Vehicles & Collectors
    • Antiques & Shopping
    • Families & Kids

    On a Budget?

    • FREE Admission
  • Lodging

    Lodging

    • Hotels / Motels
    • Bed & Breakfasts / Inns
    • Campgrounds
    • Cabins
    • Resorts / Lodges
    • Vacation Rentals

    On a Budget?

    • Lodging Discounts
  • Food & Drink

    Food & Drink

    • Restaurants
    • Wineries
    • Breweries
    • Food Tours
    • Fresh Markets
    • Distilleries
    • Event Venues

    On a Budget?

    • Discounts
  • Brochures
  • Contests
  • Discounts
  • Blog
  • About Indiana
  • Contact Us
  • Email Subscribe
  • For the Media
  • For Travel Professionals
  • Hoosiers by Choice
  • Contact Us
  • Home
  • Indiana Insider Blog
  • Styx Puts On An Awesome Show at Indiana State Fair

Styx Puts On An Awesome Show at Indiana State Fair

By admin on August 13, 2013
Back

Last night I finally got to see my first rock concert when I was 14.

Let me explain that: when I was a kid, I was never allowed to go to concerts. There were — allegedly; I never found out — lots of drugs, drinking, and sex going on there, which meant that I was never allowed to go. By the time I was old enough to decide to go, I either didn’t have the money, or didn’t care enough about the band to actually go.

But Styx was one of the bands I wanted to see at a concert when I was a youth, just leaving the 1970s. I was a huge KISS fan, and knew all the Styx songs. I wasn’t a real fan, but I knew they were a great group, and did some great music. In fact, I knew most of their songs (I thought).

For most of us growing up in or near Indianapolis, we all assumed Styx was a supergroup, because all their songs were on the radio. Little did we know that we were experiencing the joys of album rock radio, who would play songs off albums, because it was cool and they didn’t have corporate overlords telling them to play what the focus groups liked.

So fast forward to last night. Last night, at age 46, I was finally able to go to the concert I wanted to see when I was 14. And there was no sex or drugs that I could see anywhere, since most of the people there were in their 40s, 50s, and 60s, and they had their kids and grandkids with them.

It was an awesome show, and I finally got to feel like a real teenager for a little while, never mind that my own teenager was standing next to me. And I was driving, so I couldn’t drink anyway. And, well, I’m 32 years older than the last time I really liked Styx.

I always used to feel bad for bands that were “reduced” to playing at fairs, county, state, or otherwise. These were bands that had packed out stadiums in the 70s, and here they were playing to a bunch of middle-aged Hoosiers.

That’s what I thought as I rode the shuttle bus to the fairgrounds. Then I saw the crowds. There must have been 8,000 screaming maniacs who were all there to see one of the bands that defined the 70s for the long-hair crowd. This band wasn’t reduced to anything. Maybe they couldn’t pack out a stadium like they did 40 years ago, but man oh man, the energy at the Marsh Stage was palpable. Styx played every song we knew, and we all sang along with gusto. Even I, who barely sings in church, was bellowing along with Come Sail Away, Lady, and Too Much Time. And was thrilled when Chuck Panozzo came out for a few numbers at the beginning and end of the show.

We were standing fairly close to the sound board, which was actually pretty convenient for me, because as soon as the last song of the encore (which was practiced and scheduled), I made a beeline to the sound board, pointed at the set list, and the woman working the board smiled and handed it to me. My night was made. My fair was made. And I finally got to see the rock concert I’d waited 32 years to finally see.

I just hope my mom doesn’t get on my case for missing curfew.

Map

Related Posts

No related posts.

Related Topics

  • Arts & Culture
  • Big City Activities
  • Cities & Counties
  • Family Activities
  • Festivals & Events
  • Indiana
  • Indiana State Fair
  • Indianapolis
  • Performing Arts
  • Places To Go
  • Things To Do

Featured Post

Rebuilt & Reinvented: This Small-Town Favorite is an All New Restaurant

Featured Trip Idea

Couples: Top 8 Indiana Getaways

SIGN UP FOR UPDATES

Follow Along the Indiana Insider Blog

Get the latest blog posts to your inbox

SAVINGS

DISCOUNTS

Coupons and Special Deals

THINGS TO DO

THINGS TO DO

Plan Your Getaway

Explore VisitIndiana.com
  • Things to Do
  • Lodging
  • Food & Drink
  • Events
  • Trip Ideas
  • Discounts
  • Discounts
  • Best of Indiana
  • Brochures
  • Enter Contests
  • Local Contact Information
  • About Indiana
Other Links
  • About IDDC
  • Contact Us
  • For Media
  • For Travel Professionals
  • For Teachers
  • VisitIndianaGolf.com
  • Film Indiana
Blog Disclosure

This blog reflects the opinions of those writing and commenting and not necessarily the view opinions or endorsements of the Lieutenant Governor of the State of Indiana.

 

FTC Disclosure

Follow Us

Indiana Destination Development Corporation

 

One North Capitol Suite 600, Indianapolis, IN 46204
(800) 677-9800

 

© Copyright 2014-2020

 

Privacy Policy