Peoria, Illinois
November 8, 2024
By: Jenafur Schlangen
Photos By: Jenafur Schlangen
Having grown up with the music of Kansas, near Peoria, Illinois, there was something both thrilling and surreal about walking into the Peoria Civic Center on November 8th, 2024, to see the band perform as part of their 50th Anniversary Tour. For someone who cut their teeth on “Carry On Wayward Son” and spent countless hours lost in the epic “Point of Know Return,” this concert was nothing short of a pilgrimage.
From the opening notes, it was clear that this wasn’t just another show—it was a celebration of five decades of progressive rock mastery. Kansas has always been a band that combines technical virtuosity with emotional depth, and they showed no signs of slowing down. In fact, if anything, their sound has matured and tightened over the years. There’s something about hearing those soaring violin lines from David Ragsdale and the intricate guitar work of Richard Williams that feels as fresh today as it did when I first heard “Dust in the Wind” on the radio as a kid.
The setlist was a dream come true for longtime fans, a perfect blend of the classics and some deep cuts that sent waves of nostalgia through the crowd. The band wasted no time diving into the hits, with “Point of Know Return” and “Play the Game Tonight” quickly following the opening track. But it wasn’t just the big songs that stole the show; songs like “Miracles Out of Nowhere” and “Reason to Be” were given new life with modern touches, but they still retained the magic that made them so memorable in the first place. It was a reminder of how Kansas transcended the era they came from—a band that defined progressive rock while always remaining grounded in accessible melodies and powerful lyrics.
The band members—still led by original members Phil Ehart (drums) and Richard Williams (guitar)—are an impressive unit, with the newer members filling their roles seamlessly. Billy Greer’s bass playing and vocals continue to be a solid foundation, and the addition of Zak Rizvi on guitar and keyboardist David Manion has only added new layers of richness to their sound. But it’s Steve Walsh’s absence (since his retirement) that still looms large for me. Vocalist Ronnie Platt does a fantastic job of filling those shoes, especially on classics like “Dust in the Wind” and “Hold On.” His voice doesn’t carry quite the same rasp or gravitas as Walsh’s, but he still brings the passion and emotion needed for these iconic tunes.
After 50 years, Kansas isn’t just playing for the fans—they’re playing for themselves too. Their passion is unmistakable, and it’s clear they are still having a blast doing what they love. For those of us who grew up with their music, this tour feels like a gift—a celebration of everything Kansas has given us over the years. And as I walked out of the Peoria Civic Center, I couldn’t help but feel grateful for this moment, for the music, and for the fact that Kansas is still out there, rocking as hard as ever.
All in all, this performance was everything I hoped it would be—celebrating the rich history of Kansas while also showing that they’ve still got plenty of life left in them. If you get the chance to see them on the rest of their 50th Anniversary Tour, do it. It’s an experience that’s not to be missed. See that band’s official website linked HERE.
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