Well as big Shinedown fans ourselves, along with the rest of the packed-out Motorpoint, to say we were looking forward to tonight’s return to our shores is an understatement. And as anyone who has seen Shinedown live before, for us its four or five times, lost count, you know you’re in for a great night of loud catchy rock music, and again, boy did we get it. Touring in support of their latest album ‘Planet Zero’, kicking off with ‘The Saints Of Violence And Innuendo’ from the album, shows that this band have undeniable faith in their new stuff in the live arena. Brent Smith states that it is nearly 20 years since their debut album ‘Leave A Whisper’ and asks if it was ok with the crowd if they went back and visited it. Of course, this met with great approval, hitting us with the almighty ‘45’, what followed was, as in most of the night, a massive sing along with the crowd joining in on most of the songs – I did say they were catchy! ‘Bully’, ‘Cut The Cord’, ‘Second Chance’, ‘Monsters’ ‘Diamond Eyes’, the Lynyrd Skynyrd epic ‘Simple Man’, again if you have seen them before this sort of pace is normal, full throttle rock. This band is full of energy, they run, jump and pose. Smith is in great form vocally, clear and crisp, and to be honest this is we think the best production they have put on with fire, bangs, the lot.

Shinedown are not you run of the mill band. Not only do they really do care about the fans, but other social issues, as Brent Smith informs the crowd. They have been raising the issue of mental health for two decades, long before it got trendy. Look at some of the song titles. Shinedown have a tradition of getting the crowd to turn to their left then right to shake hands and say hello to a stranger, because we’re all here for the same reason, and shouldn’t be strangers. Again, the message, which most wouldn’t be near enough to see is emblazoned on Smiths jacket, it reads, “We’ve had enough of being powerless, we’ve heard it all and no were not impressed”.

And after a phenomenal set the last song and what a tune to close with ‘Sound Of Madness’, rinsing every last ounce of energy from the arena. They stood, danced, swayed and sang the whole night. This is how to put on a rock show, and we just hope that it won’t be as long until next time we visit the church of SHINEDOWN, amen to that.

Photos by Geoff Griffe
Review by Jenny Griffe