Shinedown Proved On Monday They Are Still As Explosive As Ever Live

Sean Derrick September 8, 2022 0 Comments

–by Sean Derrick

Shinedown hit town Monday for an explosive show at Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre with Jelly Roll and John Harvie in tow. To say that there was excitement in the air would be an understatement.

Shinedown has played St. Louis so many times it would seem they had a residency here. Over the 19 years since the band released their debut album Leave a Whisper they have played the St. Louis area 22 times. From their first show here opening for Tantric at Pop’s in Sauget in 2004, to opening for Van Halen at Savvis Center (Now Enterprise Center) just two months later, they paid their dues opening for everyone from Seether to Rob Zombie to Nickelback.

Their relentless touring honed them into a well-oiled machine, churning out hit after hit (including a current run of 8 #1 songs on Billboard’s U.S. Mainstream chart) and bringing those songs to life for audiences with a dazzling stage show that somehow has defied logic by continually outperforming the previous tour.

Shinedown is one of those bands that you just know, and expect there to be, pyro during the set. Some bands just use pyro for a “wow” effect. Shinedown uses it to both amp up their stage show but also to compliment certain songs. One of those songs is “The Saints of Violence and Innuendo”, which they kicked off the show with on Monday.

Touring in support of their latest album Planet Zero vocalist Brent Smith (along with bassist Eric Bass, guitarist Zach Myers, and drummer Barry Kerch) just did another usual stellar show, running the gamut of high energy bombastic songs “Sound of Madness”, “Enemies” to slower tempo songs like “The Crow & The Butterfly” and “Second Chance” which showcase Smith’s vocal depth and power. Each seemingly touching on inspirational messages of hope and inner strength.

But the real treat was the band performing the Oasis cover “Don’t Look Back in Anger” when Zach Myers took a turn at lead vocal, a song they seem to usually reserve to play in Manchester, England and have only performed once in the US. Apparently, they are performing a different cover in some cities to complement their hit cover of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Simple Man” after a run of over 25 shows playing the Foo Fighters’ “Wheels” (They played a cover of Rick Springfield’s “Jesse’s Girl” in Asheville, NC ten days earlier). Exciting!

So, which song will they play at each city? You’ll just have to go and find out.

John Harvie opened the show with a fresh exciting, fun, anthemic rock set. Not to be confused with John Harvie, one of the founding fathers of the United States (For my fellow history buffs who are rushing to respond to that right now). I don’t know if the founding father could sing, entertain, or fire up a captive audience but I do know this John Harvie can do all that and somehow have energy to spare.

John Harvie performing at Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre in Saint Louis. Photo by Sean Derrick/Thyrd Eye Photography.

From the upbeat “Alaina” to the rocking “Not Another Song” Harvie grabs your attention and practically demands your attention. It’s hard not to feel the infectious grooves that emanate from the stage he commands.

This technically is the first electric show Harvie has played in Saint Louis. Last year his set was basically wiped out when a power outage disrupted the side stage at Pointfest. Did Harvie just pack it in and go on to the next city? Nope. He stayed, grabbed a guitar and sang for the crowd, singing as loud as he could, since he had no working microphone. He gained many new fans that day. After seeing his performance Monday it would be a stretch to say he hasn’t gained even more, even if he did only play five songs.

Jelly Roll held down the support slot with an impressive 45-minute set that hit rap, rock, and country to satisfy just about any genre loving fan in attendance.

Jelly Roll performing at Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre in Saint Louis. Photo by Sean Derrick/Thyrd Eye Photography.

He has a huge following in Saint Louis, where he says was where one of his songs was played on the radio for the first time (on 105.7 KPNT) in “Dead Man Walking”, which went on to reach #1 on the US Mainstream chart.

His current single is a country song entitled “Son of a Sinner” and the crowd ate it up. It is a very catchy song that is garnering a lot of crossover airplay. It’s about to break through the top10 in the Billboard US Country charts.

He talked briefly about performing at Pop’s a few times and said “I’m your country cousin, only 4 hours down the road” (in Nashville.

Shinedown’s Zach Myers came out at one point to help him sing a cover of Jay-Z’s “99 Problems”. Jelly Roll had the crowd amped up and fired up for Shinedown.