More than five decades into their storied career, STYX continue to prove that longevity and creative momentum are not mutually exclusive. As the band opens a new chapter of touring in 2026, they do so not as a legacy act resting on past glories, but as a living, evolving force, one that’s still writing new music with purpose and delivering it live with precision, power, and heart.
Fresh off the release of their 18th studio album, Circling From Above, STYX enter the new year firing on all cylinders. Released May 28, 2025, the album arrived alongside the band’s “Brotherhood of Rock” summer tour with Kevin Cronin and Don Felder, giving fans the rare chance to experience new material live before it hit digital platforms in July. Available on CD and vinyl through the band’s label Alpha Dog 2T/UMe, Circling From Above quickly established itself as another creative high point in a remarkably productive late-era run.
Spanning 13 tracks and clocking in at a lean, immersive 41 minutes, Circling From Above explores the tension between technology and nature, progress and humanity, territory that feels especially relevant in today’s world. The album features contributions from all seven members of the current STYX lineup: founding guitarist/vocalist James “JY” Young, guitarist/vocalist Tommy Shaw, original bassist Chuck Panozzo, drummer Todd Sucherman, keyboardist/vocalist Lawrence Gowan, guitarist/vocalist Will Evankovich, and bassist/vocalist Terry Gowan.
Critics were quick to take notice. Antimusic.com labeled it the band’s third consecutive “masterpiece,” following The Mission (2017) and Crash of the Crown (2021). VintageRock.com praised the record as “a solid, full-circle effort” that underscores STYX’s refusal to coast on their catalog, while TheRockPit.net called it “nostalgic yet forward-looking, polished yet soulful’, a fitting summation of where the band stands today.
That creative spark is driven largely by the songwriting and production partnership of Shaw, Gowan, and Evankovich. Produced by Evankovich, who officially joined the band in 2022 after helming their previous two albums—the record is a true collaboration rather than a compromise. As Gowan has noted, the process isn’t about majority rule, but about serving the song. Tommy Shaw echoes that sentiment, describing songwriting as storytelling: “A good song is like a straight road, it’ll get you to the next place.”
STYX’s touring schedule shows no signs of slowing, either. Alongside a new round of headlining dates, the band recently announced their massive 2026 summer run with Chicago, dubbed “The Windy Cities Tour – All The Hits…Your Kind of Tour.” The tour launches July 13 in West Palm Beach, Florida, and wraps September 6 in Los Angeles, promising a career-spanning setlist packed with arena-ready anthems.
Before that, South Florida fans will get an early taste when STYX hit the Pompano Beach Amphitheatre on Sunday, February 22. Expect a set that balances iconic staples like “Come Sail Away,” “Blue Collar Man,” and “Fooling Yourself” with newer material that’s already finding its footing in the live show.
Beyond the music, STYX continue to lead with purpose through their Rock to the Rescue initiative, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded by Tommy Shaw and co-created with Kevin Cronin in the aftermath of 9/11. At each tour stop, the band partners with local grassroots organizations—supporting causes ranging from music education and disaster relief to animal welfare, by donating proceeds from on-site fundraising efforts, including raffles for signed guitars. It’s a hands-on, community-first approach that reflects the band’s long-standing connection to the cities they play.
As 2026 unfolds, STYX remain a rare example of a band that honors its legacy while still pushing forward creatively. Circling From Above isn’t just another entry in the catalog—it’s a statement of intent. And if the upcoming tour is any indication, STYX are far from done telling their story.
For tour dates, music, and more, visit styxworld.com
