Authenticity is key in rock and roll, and Shinedown are the epitome of that word. That’s why they pack arenas and amphitheaters everywhere they go and, their Dance, Kid, Dance Tour recently hit Indianapolis with Bush and Morgan Wade for a sold-out night.
Morgan Wade started the evening off with a slower, country rock-styled set that really set the mood but also got the crowd warmed up.
The stage was gigantic, spanning almost the length of the entire floor, and Bush took full advantage of it. Singer Gavin Rossdale ran and jumped around the extended stage like it was 1999 again and the band blazed through a set of classics combined with more modern Bush songs and the crowd was there for all of it.
As the lights went down, the sounds of Peter Gabriel’s “Sledgehammer” rang over the speakers as a person in a suit and a giant television on their head danced around the stage as pop culture video clips played on the giant LED screen above the stage.
Then, before you knew it, Brent Smith, Eric Bass and Zach Myers appeared through the fog on the edge of the extended stage. As the pyro exploded around the entire stage, the band ripped into “Dance, Kid, Dance” and things were off to the races.
Their set was a perfect combo of material of songs from every record except Us & Them and saw the band throwing in songs they hadn’t played in over a decade- “Call Me,” “Burning Bright” and “Through the Ghost” all found their way into the set, while the band also threw in their two most recent singles- “Three Six Five” partnered with the set’s opener.
Shinedown have always been inspiring, honest and authentic, wearing their love for the fans on their sleeves. “This is your arena,” singer Brent Smith told the crowd. “This is your arena, these are your seats, this is your home…” as he thanked the Gainbridge Fieldhouse fans for inviting the band into their home.
The band has always been open about the fans being their boss, and that the band works for the fans, reminding them that everyone in the building are family, and this show was no different.
This set also lived up to Shinedown’s reputation for high-level production, with some of the most pyro, concussions and fireworks than you’ll ever see at a rock show. It wasn’t just a concert, it was a spectacle and an experience and, with songs like “Second Chance,” it was pure beauty in display.
In the end, Shinedown’s Dance, Kid, Dance Tour is exactly what Shinedown fans from any era will fall in love with and get their money’s worth. With the band gearing up for the release of their eighth album later this year, they still find a way to give fans at least one song from every beloved record of their career while also squeezing in the newest material too.
If you’re dedicated a fan of Shinedown, this is the tour you need to check out.
-Reggie Edwards