Stryper -1 rocked fans at Celebrity Theatre

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Stryper concert at Celebrity Theatre, Phoenix, AZ on October 29th, 2024

Review and Photos by Fred Kuhlman
Promoter: Danny Zelisko Presents (https://dzplive.com/ )
Venue: Celebrity Theatre (https://celebritytheatre.com/ )
Date: October 29th, 2024
Tour: 40 Anniversary Tour 2024

Stryper is an American Christian heavy metal hair band from La Mirada, California that initially formed in 1983 during the hair band hay days.  Stryper currently consists of Michael Sweet as lead singer and lead guitarist.  He shares lead guitar duty with Oz Fox that also provides backing vocals.  Perry Richardson is the bass player and also provides backing vocals.  Rounding out the band is drummer Robert Sweet.

You are probably wondering why the title is “Stryper -1”.  Well just prior to the show, the paramedics were called because Oz was having a blood pressure issue.  He was taken to a hospital just in case and did not make it back to the venue.  Thankfully he is doing fine.

Michael Sweet, lead guitarist and lead singer of Stryper at Celebrity Theatre, Phoenix, AZ on October 29th, 2024

So as the troopers they are, the rest of the band decided to put on the show as a trio.  If you had never seen Stryper before you would not have noticed a difference.  They were just as powerful as ever.  Michael had the dubious honor of taking on the full lead guitarist roll and he did a fabulous job.  I had seen Stryper in 2016 and tonight I felt they put on an even better show.  For those of you that get the full lineup you will be amazed how good they are.  One of the strangest things about the show was the drummer, Robert was facing sideways in the drumkit so the audience always saw is left side.  This is the first time I have ever seen a drummer setup this way.

The show started a little late due to Oz’s issues, but started only 30 minutes late.  The show was divided up into 2 sets each almost an hour long.  They billed the sets as “Classic” and Modern”.  The Classic set were songs from their first 5 albums in the 80s.  The Modern set were songs from their 2005 album Reborn till their newest album When We Were Kings just released this year.

Stryper concert at Celebrity Theatre, Phoenix, AZ on October 29th, 2024

The crowd was amazing, they were standing throughout the entire 2 sets.  At times you would almost have thought you were in a Christian revival meeting with the audience singing along and their arms raised and pointing to heaven.  At other times you would have believed you were at any other great heavy metal hair band from the 80s.  The place just rocked and the fans were enjoying every moment of it.  Even my Coke bottle got into it as it vibrated with the music.

The first set was pretty straight forward.  The band performed and their name and logo displayed on the different screens.  However, during the second set, they had different videos playing on the screens backing up the music.  This was the reason the venue was setup as ½ seating and the stage did not turn.  Tonight, the Bose sound system that Celebrity Theatre has installed really got its workout.

I want to wish all the best to Oz and his return to the band.  Having also had blood pressure issues, I understand a little of what he is going through.  Personally, I can highly recommend seeing this band.  They have the sound of most of the metal bands of the 80s without the swearing.  Michael indicated that they would continue this tour into 2025 and that they might come back to Phoenix.  If they do, I hope to see you there.

Danny Zelisko & Blu Parr with signed guitar to auction off for St. Mary’s Food Band prior to Stryper Concert at Celebrity Theatre, Phoenix, AZ on October 29th, 2024

I also want to do a shout out to Danny Zelisko Presents (Danny and Blu), the Celebrity Threatre and the band for providing a signed guitar that was auctioned off to raise money for St. Mary’s Food Bank.  Even Oz signed it before he left. With the holidays coming up, St. Mary’s will need everything they can get to help provide meals to the less fortunate people of the valley.  Thanks again for the person that won the bid with their generous offer.

Stryper Social Media sites:
Website: https://stryper.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Stryper
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stryper/
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/stryperofficial


Stryper

Photos © Fred Kuhlman 2024, All Rights Reserved



Stryper Setlist:                                               (Album)
Set 1: Classic Set
Battle Hymn of the Republic                          (Intro)
Loud ‘n’ Clear                                                  (The Yellow and Black Attack)
You Know What to Do                                   (The Yellow and Black Attack)
Soldiers Under Command                              (Soldiers Under Command)
The Rock That Makes Me Roll                      (Soldiers Under Command)
Free                                                                 (To Hell With the Devil)
Calling on You                                               (To Hell With the Devil)
To Hell With the Devil                                   (To Hell With the Devil)
In God We Trust                                             (In God We Trust)
Always There for You                                    (In God We Trust)
All for One                                                      (Against the Law)
Set 2: Modern Set
Reborn                                                            (Reborn)
4 Leaf Clover                                                  (Murder by Pride)
No More Hell to Pay                                       (No More Hell to Pay)
Yahweh                                                           (Fallen)
Sorry                                                               (God Damn Evil)
The Valley                                                      (God Damn Evil)
This I Pray                                                      (Even the Devil Believes)
Divider                                                            (Even the Devil Believes)
No Rest for the Wicked                                  (The Final Battle)
Breaking the Law                                           (Judas Priest cover)
(snippet – 1st verse/chorus)
When We Were Kings                                    (When We Were Kings)
Sing-Along Song                                            (To Hell With the Devil)