Shinedown was formed in Jacksonville, Florida, in 2001 and over a quarter of a century has grown into one of the most successful bands in American modern hard rock. The quartet consists of frontman Brent Smith, drummer Barry Kerch, guitarist Zach Myers, and bassist Eric Bass. The band has made history on the American rock radio charts with a record number of number one singles on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Airplay and has sold more than ten million albums worldwide.
The evening began with both opening acts, Those Damn Crows and Mammoth, who warmed up the crowd before the main act.
Peter Gabriel's "Sledgehammer" plays over the speakers and suddenly a person appears on stage, dressed in a suit and white gloves with a TV set over their head. It's TV Guy, Shinedown's own tour mascot, who has become a recurring feature during the Dance, Kid, Dance Act II tour. He dances around the stage and gets the audience clapping to start the atmosphere.
Suddenly the music is interrupted. A loud sound and a dark voice are heard from the speakers, while flashing lights cut through the darkness. TV Guy quickly disappears from the stage. Shortly after, Shinedown enters to the heavy opening riffs of "Safe and Sound." It's full throttle right away, with pyrotechnics and a colorful light show. We're off!
After "Safe and Sound" follow "Devour" and "Diamond Eyes (Boom-Lay Boom-Lay Boom)." Three rocking songs at a high tempo – just the jump-start the audience wants.
Before "How Did You Love," frontman Brent Smith pauses to thank the audience. "We're here in your house, your city and your country, on a Monday evening. You could have done something entirely different but chose to come here and spend the evening with us. Thank you!"
Later, before "Three Six Five," the mood shifts. Brent talks about life, loss, and the importance of remembering those who are no longer with us. He asks the audience to close their eyes, bow their heads, and think about their own missing loved ones. They may no longer be here physically, he says, but their love and everything they taught us lives on. The arena becomes still while everyone thinks of their own missing. Then the music resumes. The setlist is well thought-out and the band alternates between intense songs and calmer sections.
Before "Enemies," Brent holds another longer speech. He asks the audience to split to create an aisle straight through the crowd. He himself jumps down from the stage and goes out into the opening to remind everyone that the audience is the only reason they are even there playing. Brent builds anticipation and explains that everyone should jump when he counts to three. Back on stage, the count comes and at three, basically the whole arena starts jumping and tossing their arms in the air as the song kicks off with full force. It becomes an intense atmosphere in the venue! I'm standing up on the balcony in Annexet and it's really swaying when everyone jumps in time.
The stage is quite stripped down. No backdrop, no LED screens, and the stage floor is clean. The drum set stands on a ramp in the middle of the stage, a detail I like. The height makes Barry Kerch clearly visible behind the drums.
It's the lights that do much of the work visually. They flash and pulsate in time with the music, and the intensity of the lights follows the intensity of the songs. The lighting is top class and together with the pyrotechnics becomes really effective.
Musically Shinedown is tight. Brent Smith's voice is still at a very high level live, and the band's heavy, melodic sound fills the entire arena. Several of the musicians also play multiple instruments. Eric Bass plays not only bass but also acoustic guitar, keyboard, and banjo, while Zach Myers takes his place behind the keyboard in certain sections.
It is clear that the band enjoys being on stage. Brent is constantly on the move. Zach and Eric also move around the stage, trading places and joking with each other.
Brent Smith gets the audience involved in several ways. Sometimes he asks us to close our eyes and think of loved ones who have passed away, sometimes to clench our fists, jump on cue, or greet the person next to us. During several songs, the crowd is happy to sing along to the choruses. Brent shifts between the emotional and the playful and gets us to participate in the concert.
During "Call Me," Brent notices a person in the audience who has fainted and is being cared for by security. He interrupts the song and puts down his microphone. The music falls silent as he jumps down from the stage to check on the guy. Then he climbs back up and finishes the song.
This evening's setlist covers most of Shinedown's career. Three songs from the latest album "EI8HT" are included, but the focus is on older material and well-known singles like "Devour," "Diamond Eyes," "Sound of Madness," and "Second Chance." In between, there are also some less obvious song choices, as well as the two covers "Kryptonite" and "Simple Man." With 21 songs and nearly two hours on stage, the band covers a broad range of their repertoire.
Shinedown does not do any encores but plays the last song of the night, thanks the audience, and then puts down their instruments. After that, they throw drumsticks and picks out to the fans. The band members walk up to the crowd barrier to greet the audience, take selfies, and sign autographs. I appreciate the straightforward ending instead of pretending to leave and then coming back to play a few encores.
Shinedown promises before they leave that it won't take as long as last time, 6-7 years, before they come to Sweden to play again. A promise appreciated by all of us who made our way to Annexet this Monday evening.
