Avenged Sevenfold is back!!!!! With the release of their new album, Life is But a Dream, happening on June 2nd, it only makes sense for them to tour over the summer. Tickets are available now via avengedsevenfold.com.
7/18 – Camden, NJ – Freedom Mortgage Pavilion
7/19 – Mansfield, MA – Xfinity Center
7/21 – Quebec City, QC – Centre Vidéotron
7/22 – Montreal, QC – Bell Centre
7/24 – Ottawa, ON – Canadian Tire Centre
7/26 – Clarkston, MI – Pine Knob Music Theatre
7/28 – Tinley Park, IL – Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
Falling In Reverse and Ice Nine Kills are touring together this fall, and they are bringing along some friends! Depending on the date, fans will get Underoath, Our Last Night, Slaughter To Prevail, Crown The Empire, and/or Catch Your Breath. Tickets are going fast, so snag yours at fallinginreverse.com or get tickets and VIP for Ice Nine Kills.
6/26 – Charleston, WV – Charleston Civic Center Coliseum*
6/27 – Richmond, VA – Virginia Credit Union LIVE!*
6/29 – Hershey, PA – Giant Center*
6/30 – Syracuse, NY – St. Joseph’s Health Amphitheater at Lakeview**
7/2 – Gilford, NH – Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion**
After kicking off The Revolutions Live Tour last spring in North America, Shinedown decided we needed another run, this time with From Ashes To New and Three Days Grace along for the ride. I was fortunate enough to catch Shinedown twice in 2022, and when they announced a Huntsville date for early 2023, I bought tickets so fast it would have made your head spin! This concert was extra special as it was my mom’s first time seeing Shinedown.
Unfortunately, we missed openers From Ashes To New, but I have been to one of their shows and can say that I’m sure their set was spectacular. The VBC was positively buzzing when we got there, so FATN definitely pumped up the energy in the building.
Three Days Grace then came out swinging, opening with “So-Called Life” and ripping through several of their well-known tracks in succession. They utilized the extended portion of the stage, leaving only drummer Neil Sanderson and his kit to fill the main stage. (I had always referred to the extension as a catwalk, but I recently learned the appropriate term is “the thrust”.) As the band launched into the song that started it all – “I Hate Everything About You” – the audience erupted, shouting the words back at vocalist Matt Walst with gusto.
I assumed that would be the highlight of their set; however, I was wrong. Before the fans had finished cheering, Matt announced a special guest: “An OG member of Three Days Grace, Adam Gontier!” The noise level was roughly equivalent to that of an explosion as Three Days Grace founding member/singer/rhythm guitarist Adam Gontier strode into the spotlight. His huge grin was visible even from our seats in the balcony. After waving to the ecstatic crowd, he moved to the center of the thrust and the band began “Never Too Late.” Adam stayed on the stage for the final number, “Riot,” and he and the current members converged to take a bow and a few photos.
Anticipation crackled in the air as we anxiously awaited the headliner. It seemed ages, and yet no time at all, when the room went dark and the familiar intro of Outkast’s “Bombs Over Baghdad” filled the air. The early 2000s hit neared its end and faded, and the two giant split screens that shielded the main stage from view came to life. Video clips of past Shinedown performances, off day outings, and backstage shenanigans played, earning laughter and cheers. Gradually, the images distorted, crackling with static, and were ultimately interrupted by a broadcast from a female AI welcoming the audience to Planet Zero.
“We hope that you enjoy your stay. And as always, remember to start your day with outrage.”
The screens flashed bright white then parted, revealing the silhouettes of four men surrounded by fog: frontman Brent Smith, guitarist Zach Myers, bassist/pianist/guitarist Eric Bass, and drummer Barry Kerch. Screams and applause echoed through the expansive space, and the foursome made their way to the end of the thrust to wave and bask in the excitement, if only for a moment. Barry soon jogged back to his kit while Zach, encouraging the fans to get louder, grabbed his guitar and Eric slung the strap of his bass over his shoulders. Without further ado, Shinedown tore into “Diamond Eyes (Boom-Lay Boom-Lay Boom)” and we were off!
📸 Me
I won’t focus on the set list, just in case you’re going to attend a show and want to be surprised. Instead, I want to tell you about the energy, the non-stop high octane exuberance that Shinedown deliver in every performance. Choosing where to look is next to impossible. Between Brent’s strong, otherworldly vocals and overall charming demeanor, Zach’s interaction with the crowd and continuous rock star poses, Eric bouncing all over the place like a madman, and Barry attacking the drums with a fierce grin and flying dreadlocks, there is a feast for the eyes everywhere – and that’s without mentioning the pyro!
While there were several highlights, including Eric and Zach and their cover of “Don’t Look Back in Anger” by Oasis, I have to take a second to write about Brent’s speech. If you’ve seen Shinedown, this is nothing new. If you haven’t, I’ll prepare you.
Brent gives the most heartfelt, encouraging speeches each tour, mostly in regard to mental health and everyone belonging when it comes to the music family. On this run, he is addressing mental health and suicide. Shinedown has partnered with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, donating $1 from every ticket sold for The Revolutions Live Tour directly to them. “And you have already raised over $150,000,” he announced. He went on to say that life is a journey, that we are all a work-in-progress, and he requested that the crowd light up every cell phone, just for the next song, then the band flowed into “A Symptom of Being Human.”
Shinedown carried us on a journey of emotions, bringing us up with bangers such as “Sound of Madness” and “Planet Zero,” only to tug the heartstrings with “45,” “Second Chance,” and “Monsters.” Their cover of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Simple Man” was met with resounding enthusiasm, and they wrapped the evening with an anthemic high note in “Cut the Cord.”
📸 Me
Shinedown is a band that never disappoints, and this show was no exception. My mom and I left the venue in high spirits, and they only climbed higher when we joined my friend and his daughter near the buses. Within half an hour, Zach had emerged to say hello and take pictures before heading to the airport.
It was a night to remember, and I’ll end this with Mr. Brent Smith’s catchphrase.
Godsmack is hitting the road this May with I Prevail. They will have special guests on certain dates, including Bullet For My Valentine, Bad Wolves, and Austin Meade. They are also playing several festivals. Get your tickets at godsmack.com.
5/4 – Denver, CO – 107.9 KBPI Birthday Bash (w/Bad Omens, Fame on Fire, I Prevail)
5/6 – Phoenix, AZ – 98 KUPD U Fest 2023 (w/Fozzy, Nothing More, The Warning, Grey Daze, The Black Moods, I Prevail)
Disturbed is touring this spring and summer with an alternating cast of other bands, which includes Breaking Benjamin, Theory of a Deadman, Jinjer, and even a couple of festivals with Falling in Reverse, Beartooth, and Dorothy! Tickets and VIP experiences are on sale now at disturbed1.com.
4/27 – Montreal, QC – Centre Bell^
4/29 – Quebec City, QC – Videotron Centre^
5/1 – Toronto, ON – Scotiabank Arena^
5/4 – Milwaukee, WI – FiServ Forum (Hog Fest)+
5/6 – St. Paul, MN – Xcel Energy Center (93X Twin City Takeover)+
5/8 – Winnipeg, MB – Canada Life Centre^
5/10 – Edmonton, AB – Roger’s Place^
5/12 – Abbotsford, BC – Abbotsford Centre^
7/11 – Denver, CO – Ball Arena*
7/13 – West Valley City, UT – USANA Amphitheatre*
7/15 – Ridgefield, WA – RV Inn Style Resorts Amphitheater*
7/16 – Auburn, WA – White River Amphitheatre*
7/18 – Wheatland, CA – Toyota Amphitheatre*
7/20 – Irvine, CA – FivePoint Amphitheatre*
7/22 – Phoenix, AZ – Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre*
Shinedown is playing another leg of The Revolutions Live Tour in the U.S. with special guests Three Days Grace and From Ashes to New. Tickets are available at shinedown.com.
4/3 – Saginaw, MI – Dow Event Center
4/4 – Cincinnati, OH – Heritage Bank Center
4/7 – Bridgeport, CT – Total Mortgage Arena
4/8 – University Park, PA – Bryce Jordan Center
4/10 – Wilkes-Barre, PA – Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plz
4/12 – Huntington, WV – Mountain Health Arena
4/14 – Jacksonville, FL – Vystar Veterans Memorial Arena
4/15 – Orlando, FL – Amway Center
4/17 – Savannah, GA – Enmarket Arena
4/19 – Huntsville, AL – Propst Arena at Von Braun Center
4/21 – Memphis, TN – FedEx Forum
4/22 – Baton Rouge, LA – Raising Cane’s River Center Arena
4/24 – Tulsa, OK – Bok Center
4/25 – Lincoln, NE – Pinnacle Bank Arena
4/27 – Fort Wayne, IN – Allen County War Memorial Coliseum
Ill Niño’s Confession is turning 20 this year, and the band is hitting the road to celebrate this milestone! They will be playing the album in its entirety, plus more. With them will be Through Fire and Dropout Kings. They will have special guests in each city, as well, including Sinshrift, Tulip, REdEFIND, Burden of the Sky, and/or Semper Acerbus.
Mostly Music 