The band have become arena rock giants with their biggest production to date
Rock juggernauts Shinedown have officially outdone themselves. The Billboard hitmakers are trekking across North America on their Revolution’s Live Tour with special guests The Pretty Reckless and Diamante. The tour not only serves as a warm-up for their imminent Planet Zero World Tour, but also a notice that the band are now certified arena rock giants.
Shinedown’s commercial success is unparalleled. Just before this tour kicked off, the group scored their record-breaking 17th No. 1 hit on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart with “Planet Zero.” It is the title track from their forthcoming album which is due out on July 1 via Atlantic. The song sees Shinedown flirting once again with a tinge of heavy metal, broadening the scope of folks who will deem the track a worthwhile listen.
Now, armed two new heavy-hitting singles, Shinedown are unleashing a mammoth live spectacle worthy of their hit-filled catalog.
Diamante kicked off the evening’s festivities. She started off with “Ghost Myself” from her latest outing American Dream (Anti-Heroine, 2021). The seven-song set was a balanced outing that featured material from both of her studio LPs. A highlight of the set was a thunderous cover of the Goo Goo Dolls’ power ballad “Iris.”
She finished her time with the anthem “War Cry” from her debut album Coming In Hot.
Fans would be wise to get to the venue early to catch Diamante with bright lights and big production.
She finished her time with the anthem “War Cry” from her debut album Coming In Hot.
Fans would be wise to get to the venue early to catch Diamante with bright lights and big production.
Next up, The Pretty Reckless took the stage. The band is touring in support of their latest album Death by Rock and Roll (Fearless). Led by wild child Taylor Momsen, the band paid homage to Chris Cornell with a cover of Soundgarden’s “Loud Love” at the top of their set. Other highlights included “Make Me Wanna Die,” “Death by Rock and Roll,” and the super-riffy “Going To Hell.”
“And So It Went” – the lead single from their latest album – had the crowd pumping their fists and belting out every word. The band did a great job of showcasing their new record and treating fans to some older hits. The ten-track set ended with the band’s bluesy number “Take Me Down.”
The Pretty Reckless roll on with Shinedown through May 7. From their the band heads to New York for a pair of sold-out shows at Brooklyn Made on May 17 and May 18. Throughout the spring and summer, they have a couple festival appearances on the books.
As Shinedown took the stage, two massive LED screens parted and all four band members emerged. Side by side, they walked the length of the stage that extended out into the crowd. They looked around, basking in the moment – the moment they joined the ranks of Iron Maiden, Metallica, Tool, Nine Inch Nails, and others as bona fide arena rockstars.
They came out swinging with their hard-hitting new single “The Saints of Violence and Innuendo.” With enough pyro to torch a small town, the crowd went absolutely wild. They were witnessing Shinedown’s biggest production to date behind one of their best songs in years.
That was just the start however. Not even give the crowd a chance to catch their breath, Shinedown doubled down on the heaviness for the next two songs. “Devil” and the all-new “Planet Zero” gave fans something to head-bang to. The relentless power of the first three songs in a live setting were worth the price of admission on its own.
They took their foot off the gas a bit for renditions of “45” and “Get Up.”
From there, the show was a barrage of hits including “Fly From The Inside,” “Bully,” “Enemies, “Cut The Cord,” “Second Chance,” and others. The always powerful “Unity” seemed to bring everyone in the building just a bit closer. The band did an excellent job of previewing their upcoming album and pulling tracks from nearly their entire discography.
Shinedown wrapped things up with “Diamond Eyes (Boom-Lay Boom-Lay Boom).”
A quick acoustic set followed. First, the band paid tribute to late Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins who passed away unexpectedly in March. They performed the Foo Fighters’ track “Wheels.” The beloved musician’s shocking death has left the rock community reeling and the Foo Fighters’ future up in the air. Not to speculate too much on the Foos’ future, but fans must be thankful for acts like Shinedown stepping up to carry the torch in times like these.
Shinedown’s own “Call Me” followed, then their famous cover of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Simple Man.” After concluding the set, the band returned to the stage to rip through their seminal banger “The Sound of Madness” for the encore. All that’s left to say is this tour would make for one hell of a live DVD.
Shinedown have been one of rock music’s most prolific acts for almost two decades. With five platinum and gold albums under their belt, Shinedown have become one of the highest-charting acts in music. The band boasts 17 No. 1 hits on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Chart, which is more than any other acting in history – including The Beatles.
Their resume is extensive, and it’s backed up by their stellar live performances. With a voice that can be both aggressive and delicate, singer Brent Smith is one of rock’s most dynamic vocalists. He captivates the crowd night in and night out. Any conversation about the greatest frontman in rock history that doesn’t include Brent Smith is an invalid one.
The Revolution’s Live Tour rolls on through May 7, wrapping up at the Thomson-Boling Arena in Knoxville, TN. In September, Shinedown will launch their Planet Zero World Tour with a string of U.S. amphitheater shows. The month-long trek concludes with an appearance at Aftershock Festival in Sacramento, CA on October 9.
Shinedown: Live Photo Gallery
The Pretty Reckless: Live Photo Gallery
Diamante: Live Photo Gallery
