It was a night of Shinedown classics, and songs off of Planet Zero, as they opened their tour in Saginaw. Pennsylvania’s From Ashes To New kicked things off, followed by Three Days Grace from Toronto, Canada. Brad Walst from the band told me they were pumped to be back on tour with their friends from Shinedown.
Brent Smith and Shinedown came on just before 9pm and ripped through two hours of songs. Between the pyro, the piano that came down from the rafters time and time again, the spectacular light show and great songs, it was an awesome kickoff.
Funny story; myself, Jade and a few other radio guys went on the bus to say hello to Brent earlier in the night. As we get on the bus, Brent greeted all of us with hugs and a kind word. “Span” from Q 106 in Lansing just starts right in about the pyro. It was freaking him out that he might be overcome with shock as the band lit of concussion bombs and whatnot during the show. It was like someone afraid to get on a rollercoaster, or bungee jump for the first time. He was literally sweating asking about this. Brent assured him that he’d be fine and gave him some ear plugs to cushion the blow. I’ve done this a long time, and I’ve never seen someone about to tinkle their Depends hours before the band was about to take the stage. LOL All in good fun. I think he made it through the show. Ha!
-Meltdown-