Dylan Novacek
Last updated on May 15th, 2023 at 09:42 pm
Rock radio mainstays Shinedown returned to Minneapolis for an explosive night of hard-hitting sound. Bringing fellow scene members Three Days Grace and From Ashes to New along for the ride made for an unforgettable, cohesive lineup.
Shinedown has created a meaningful bond with their fans by dominating the charts for two decades. They opened the show with a montage of interactions with lucky fans, making it clear that the band deeply appreciates each of us in the stands. This was also evident in their performance.
With studio-perfect instrumentals and bombast, the iconic group presented just over two hours of hits and fantastic new material. Their stage setup was sleek and epic, with steel floors and just the right amount of pyro. A piano descending to the stage from the rafters was also a nice touch.
Their down-to-earth presence sets Shinedown apart from other bands in the mainstream rock space. In my time as a photographer for shows, I’ve never had a lead singer pause to shake hands and high-five each of us in the pit. Honestly, everyone in the band seems like a good dude.
Their music is incredibly fun, unpretentious, and completely infectious.
The same can be said for the opening act, Three Days Grace. I’ve always associated these two bands together in terms of sound and fanbase. They are no strangers to touring together and are a perfect fit for a shared bill.
My first experience with Three Days Grace was their angst-ridden tracks “Animal I’ve Become” and “Riot.” I first heard them in middle school, giving the band a special place in my heart. Their radio rock hits have always been in the background, and I’ve always passively enjoyed them.
Seeing them for the first time in a live setting elevated my affection for the group. I was surprised to learn that I knew more of their songs than I originally remembered. As soon as “Animal I’ve Become” started, I pulled out my earplugs to fully experience it.
Although Shinedown was the headliner and wrapped the crowd around their finger from the first note, my favorite was Three Days Grace. Their set was short, sweet, and wildly entertaining.
Bands like Three Days Grace and Shinedown defined an entire generation of radio rock. And although not everyone loves what they hear on stations like 93X, each of these bands undeniably stands at the top of their genre.
For a night of hard-hitting, carefree rock music, Shinedown and Three Days Grace hit the mark.
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