Keeping the momentum going following their recent acoustic tour, the legendary, long-running metal band Stryper is on the road again in support of their twelfth studio album When We Were Kings. And, we were lucky enough to catch a two-set showcase of music old and new last Tuesday evening in downtown Columbus, Ohio.
Stryper, who’s current line-up includes original members Michael Sweet, Robert Sweet, and Oz Fox, along with bassist Perry Richardson (formerly of Firehouse) took the stage around 8pm at the historic Athenaeum for an “evening with” showcase for fans who climbed up three flights of marble stairs to reach the TempleLive venue.
As we made our way to the stage, a line was forming down that staircase for Stryper merchandise for the anniversary tour, which is scheduled to conclude on November 16th in North Myrtle Beach, SC. (see full list of dates below). But, not to worry, those who didn’t have time to grab a shirt (or a drink at the concession stand) before the band took the stage were given another opportunity during a mid-show intermission which allowed for time for a black and gold outfit change.
Stryper was housed in an old-school theater with wooden seats along the parameter and ballroom cushioned chairs along the expansive floor seated area (though nobody was using them after the music started), as well as some beautifully adorned opera-style box seats that seemed to be just for show that night. The vibe mirrored TempleLive’s Cleveland location where we’d seen Tuff perform last year along with Billy Morris & The Sunset Strip as part of a tribute to Warrant’s Jani Lane and is known for housing banquets as well as shows.
This tour is a celebration of classic hits and new-era fan favorites, and frontman Michael Sweet applauded the crowd for sticking with them during the break and taking in the new music during their lengthy new show production (as if there was any question to the loyalty of their fanbase).
As I noted to the band after the show, this was really a treat for me personally to see them perform their own show on such a large theater stage, as the only Stryper shows I’ve seen outside of festivals have been at our local venue Jergels which has a much smaller club atmosphere. So if you are accustomed to catching the band on the Monsters of Rock Cruise or at M3 Rock Festival, this will be a treat for you as well.
As they performed classics like “In God We Trust” and “To Hell with the Devil,” the band brought out moving screens with chevron lights and black and gold stripes illuminating the show as well as camera views of the band and a movie screen mid-stage. The light show was awesome and so were their stage clothes, right down to their toes! As an added bonus, some new friends offered me their extra seat in the front row, allowing me to take it all in up close after snagging these photos. In appreciation, I promised to try to catch them a bible during the show (and I did!).
Wondering what to expect from the new album? In a recent press release, Michael Sweet explains, “We couldn’t be more excited about this new album. I feel that it really captures our classic sound, but also captures our most recent sound. We’ve definitely grown as a band and evolved quite a bit so it’s important to have both. We’re 40 years into our career and releasing the best music of our career.”
While I haven’t been a fan the full 40 years, I have been following Stryper since I first saw them back in 1988 before I was even a big-haired teenager! As someone who documents music history, I absolutely loved watching the video footage behind the band during the their new album’s title track “When We Were Kings,” and from what I heard from the audience, it was the one time we all took our eyes off of the band on stage. I encourage you to snag a ticket and let them take you on a trip down memory lane as they commemorate this awesome achievement!
And, looking ahead to more opportunities to celebrate the band’s history, Stryper is also working on a Kickstarter-funded documentary film directed by Chris Atkins. With career album sales exceeding 10 million worldwide and a history of Billboard Top 40 hits, Stryper continues to record, tour, and perform for devoted fans globally. Below are a few chances to catch them live on the Stryper 40th Anniversary Tour!
9/23 – Tulsa, OK @ Cain’s Ballroom
9/24 – Cedar Park, TX @ The Haute Spot
9/25 – San Antonio, TX @ The Aztec Theatre
9/26 – Midland, TX @ Wagner Noel PAC
9/28 – Arlington, TX @ Arlington Music Hall
9/29 – Fort Smith, AR @ TempleLive
10/19 – Wichita, KS @ TempleLive at Wichita Scottish Rite Center
10/21 – Denver, CO @ Oriental Theater
10/25 – Stateline, NV @ Harrah’s Lake Tahoe @ South Shore
10/29 – Phoenix, AZ @ Celebrity Theatre
10/30 – Tucson, AZ @ Rialto Theatre
10/31 – El Paso, TX @ The Plaza Theatre
11/3 – Lincoln, NE @ Bourbon Theatre
11/7 – Patchogue, NY @ Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts
11/8 – Sayreville, NJ @ Starland Ballroom
11/9 – Glenside, PA @ Keswick Theater
11/10 – Baltimore, MD @ Rams Head Live!
11/13 – Clearwater, FL @ Capitol Theatre
11/14 – Jacksonville, FL @ Florida Theatre
11/15 – Atlanta, GA @ Center Stage
11/16 – North Myrtle Beach, SC @ House of Blues
