The Revolutions Tour, featuring rock giants Shinedown, Three Days Grace, and From Ashes to New, made its way to the Midsouth this spring at Memphis’ favorite arena, the FedEx Forum. The warmth of the fans (and the pyrotechnics) instantly took the edge off the chill left from standing in line on the abnormally cold spring evening. Seas of people flooded in from all entrances of the Forum, anxiously making their way through metal detectors and the arena halls to find their seats.
From Ashes to New warmed up the crowd with explosive energy that didn’t waver throughout their 7-song set. Their theatrics, relentless delivery, and engaging performance style lend perfectly to an arena tour like this.
Three Days Grace made their entrance memorable, walking out to “Jump Around” by House of Pain. They cut to the chase, chugging and screaming their way through the first three songs, followed by hits that outlined every chapter and era of their time as a band. The energy they put out was nothing short of fun and hypnotic, and along with the crowd, I couldn’t help but crack a smile. Their confidence and chops left us speechless.
Finally, our headliner, Shinedown, took the stage. The heat of the flame mortars and fireballs could quite literally melt the faces off the fans pressed up against the barricades, and made for a thrilling photo op. However, the heat made for a stunning visual that elevated each song into a full-sensory experience. It’s no secret that production can make or break you, and Shinedown’s certainly took the evening to the next level.
Musically, the band was rock solid. With pristine delivery and a well-thought set, they continue to stand above the rest with their professionalism and talent. The sonic ground they covered was unbelievable, from soft rock and piano-led ballads to nu metal and hard rock, they commanded the crowd with such presence. And in between their music, they took time to share their hearts and make a genuine human connection with their fans.
All in all, the night was enormous — something we don’t get to see every day, and something we can all appreciate for years to come.
