Shinedown brought their “Dance Kid, Dance” tour to PHX Arena Saturday, August 2, 2025 night. With support from Morgan Wade and Bush, it was a little bit of country and a whole lot of rock n’ roll.
Fresh off the release of her latest album “The Party Is Over (Recovered)”, Morgan Wade was first up. Wade, with her Pelham blue Gibson SG and full sleeve tattoos, was all sneers and attitude. She made the most of her limited time with a that set included “High In Your Apartment”, as well as a cover of Radiohead’s “Creep.”
Bush took the stage next, playing a ten-song set that included hits “Machine Head“, Everything Zen”, and “Glycerine.“ Frontman Gavin Rossdale made good use of the walkway connecting the stages, running back and forth and dancing to the music. Bush closed out the set with their 1995 hit “Comedown.”
After a quick set change it was time for the main event. A spotlight slashed a diagonal beam of light across the stage as TV Guy, a mascot created by guitarist Zach Myers, came to life. The main stage screen became a vintage television, flipping from channel to channel, before stopping on a red “S.” Smoke filled the air as the lights went out.
Moments later, Myers, lead singer Brent Smith, and bassist Eric Bass emerged from the smoke, each occupying their own stage situated among the general admission fans. A sign displaying the tour name shined brightly above Barry Kerch’s drum kit as the opening riff from “Dance Kid, Dance” filled the arena.
Flashlights were on for “A Symptom of Being Human”, transforming PHX Arena into a galaxy of stars. Disco balls immersed the crowd in a shimmering sea of light as they sang along. Purple and orange lasers filled the air during the breakdown in “Diamond Eyes (Boom-Lay Boom-Lay Boom).”
During their set Shinedown covered a lot of ground, both musically and literally. The setlist ranged from the melodic vocals of “Three Six Five” to the crushing riffs of “Planet Zero.” The set featured 19 songs that spanned the band’s 22-year career, including hits “Sounds of Madness”, “Cut the Cord”, and “45.”
The main stage connected to three satellite stages via a walkway, giving Smith and company plenty of room to move around the venue. Halfway through the show, the band, including Kerch and his drums, gathered at the center satellite stage. The band remained there for a short acoustic set, including a pair of iconic cover songs.
Guitarist Zach Myers took over on vocals on a rendition of “Purple Rain” by Prince, played on a Fender Telecaster that the Purple One previously owned, while Brent Smith reclaimed the microphone for “Simple Man” by Lynyrd Skynyrd.
“You got your singing voices on you tonight?” asked Smith. The answer was a resounding “yes” as fans belted out the Southern rock classic.
The band finished strong with “Monsters” and “Sounds of Madness” before closing out the night with their biggest hit. As the last notes of “Second Chance” hung in the air, the stage exploded with fireworks one last time. The set ended as dramatically as it had begun, with a flurry of smoke and flames.
Whether or not you’re a fan of Shinedown’s music, their live show is one of the best in the business. High-energy music, showmanship, and a pyrotechnics budget that rivals the GDP of a small country made the show one to remember.
