Whenever Shinedown, deemed the #1 Greatest of All Time Mainstream Rock Artists by Billboard, graces Virginia with their presence, it’s a concert that rock music lovers can’t miss. The event — Atlantic Union Bank After Hours at the SERVPRO Pavilion — located at Meadow Event Park in Doswell, Virginia was worth the 1.5-hour drive.
As everyone took their seats and the show was about to start, a storm moved in. Thankfully, the lightning was minimal and after a short wait in the car, the show went on. Unfortunately, the opening act, StopGap Solution, was not able to perform because of the delay, so photographers lined up at the soundboard in steady rain for the main event.
Shinedown’s opening song, “Devil,” set a hard-hitting tone for the night with lead singer Brent Smith’s powerful, intense vocals. It got everyone on their feet and featured a stellar electric guitar performance by Zach Myers. “Diamond Eyes (Boom-Lay Boom-Lay Boom)” cranked up the energy, with pyro and concussions which transformed the crowd’s dancing into jumping. A master on bass and piano, Erik Bass took to the air several times, as usual, and drummer Barry Kerch attacked drums with relentless force and precision with dreadlocks flying. Brent then encouraged the audience to greet their neighbors before launching into “State of My Head,” which had a slower, but funky beat.
“I’m telling you this from experience. We are way more united than we are divided, I promise you.”
“Dead Don’t Die” and “Enemies,” complete with plenty of pyro, had fans in a frenzy. About halfway through the concert, Smith stopped and talked about touring worldwide. “I’m telling you this from experience. We are way more united than we are divided, I promise you.” With that powerful statement, he had everyone wave their cell phone lights in a show of unity as he sang “A Symptom of Being Human.” This song — an anthemic reassurance that it’s okay to not be okay — resonated deeply with the audience. The touching moment was followed by a personal favorite, “Planet Zero,” from their most recent album of the same name. It packed a punch and addressed the craziness of our culture during and after the Covid pandemic.
When it came time to perform “Simple Man” and “Second Chance,” Shinedown surprisingly didn’t mention the last time they performed these songs in Virginia: at an impromptu concert in a field without microphones or electricity. During that performance in September 2023, the band was joined by Papa Roach and Oliver Anthony on a small wooden stage, singing for the remaining campers after Blue Ridge Rock Festival was canceled due to bad weather. The memory of that performance, paired with tonight’s epic performance, left those of us lucky enough to experience both with a particular gratitude for the art and community we’ve witnessed. And the rest of the crowd undoubtedly left with their own brand of gratitude for what Shinedown brought to Virginia this year.
The band finished with “Monsters,” their 14th No. 1 on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock chart, and “Cut the Cord,” songs packed with intensity and hard-hitting energy, complete with more incredible pyro and stellar production. Smith bid the crowd farewell with a final unifying sentiment: “Be good to each other, and may God bless you all. It’s never goodbye, it’s just ‘til next time.”
