The American rock band from Jacksonville, Florida Shinedown lit up the LCA Friday night. Brent Smith and the boys brought enough heat to challenge the sun! The Dance Kid Dance tour made a stop at Little Caesars Arena Friday night in downtown Detroit. One word from the night EPIC! Lines were long and tight around the venue with fans waiting to rock and dance all night long. Detroit Rock City loves Shinedown, Shinedown also considers Detroit their home away from home, Smith telling Detroit we love you, we love coming back here. Kicking off the show was Morgan Wade a Virgina native and country artist. Wade had the crowd singing throughout the set drawing a huge roar lighting up the LCA with “CREEP.” The 7-song set ended with Wade with her smash hit “Wilder Days” of her 2021 debut album “Reckless.”
After a short pause the night was about to get a dose of Zen with Bush taking the stage shortly before 8:00 pm. The band was greeted with loud cheers and ear-piercing whistling from the crowd. I’m sure you have seen a Bush show by now so you know what’s coming an electric shock to the body. Opening the 11-song-set with “Scars” definitely set the tone for what was next following with my fave and everyone else on the planet with “Machinehead” say it with me, goosebumps! Highlights from the set were epic, starting with an Rossdale acapella “Swallowed” just sit back and take it in kind of moment. Did i mention the energy Rossdale brings to an arena near you nightly. That was on display with “Flowers on a Grave” with Rossdale walking through the crowd. Those fans will forever have lasting memory to share down the road. Just when you think you can’t take no more Rossdale delivers an epic solo with “Glycerine” looking around the venue you felt the energy and love for Gavin. The set ended with “Comedown” after that you were asking yourself how am i still standing.
Fans still recovering from the Bush set Shinedown was about to hit the stage. The LCA blacks out for a short moment with TV man hitting the stage with snippets of TV shows and Shinedown clips displayed on the tube. The stage was massive and had three catwalks which had Zach Myers on one side with bass player Eric Bass setup on the other catwalk while Brent Smith appeared center stage on the catwalk. Drummer Barry Kerch setup on the main stage in the distance all alone. The lights finally came on with Smith appearing out of the fog and the LCA erupted into a frenzy with the hit single “Dance Kid Dance” Myers was stage left and intimate with his fans ripping up the guitar like a tree shredder. Shinedown made it known that things were going to be different night in and night out. That was noted with a track that hasn’t been played since 2018 “Cyanide Sweet Tooth Suicide,” wow!
Shinedown went deep into the library making for one ass kicking 2-hour-set. This is my fifth time covering the band and by far the most incredible show to date. Can it get any better going forward that answer is yes, why because it’s Shinedown, who takes uncomfortable moments and make turn them into unforgettable moments for all of Shinedown nation. Early on highlights came with “Three Six Five” such an emotional song had everyone come together hands swaying back and forth cell phone lights in the distance making for an incredible sight to see. Shinedown hit the crowd with “Enemies,” and we all know well enough what is coming. Smith, chatting it up with Shinedown nation wanting everyone in the house to jump. “This is the Motor City this ain’t no drill,” I need 100% percent out of you, when i say jump, you jump, here we go 123…jump! Holy f*%k! what sight to witness live everyone from the upper level down to main floor was banging. If that does nothing for you then you need to check yourself in immediately at a hospital near you.
Stage B opened with another deep dive from 2015, Smith and the boys delivered with “Misfits,” which became one big happy bonfire sing-a-along. Does it sound like I’m repeating myself when i say wow, or damn, or what a goosebump moment, the answer is yes. There is no other way to put it what Shinedown music can do for the soul. Also happening on stage B a great cover song from a great band Tears for Fears, Shinedown knocks it out of the park with “Call Me.” Smith sounding masterful singing with such deep emotion, emotion his fans absorb like a sponge. Let’s stay with the emotion train shall we this one hits hard. Barry, Zach, take a seat on some speakers on the catwalks edge. Zach playing acoustic guitar with Barry enjoying the moment interacting with the crowd. Smith comes at you heavy with this one with “A Symptom of Being Human,” wowzah! Little Caesars Arena become united as one singing so loudly our Canadian neighbors across the river could heard it.
The coolest moment of the entire night came when Shinedown welcomed a young lady to the stage with a sign that read I’m a kidney transplant survivor with a red check next to it, it’s my fifth Shinedown show with a red check next to it, meet the band can now be checked off. The young lady posing with the band for a photo that will forever bring positive vibes the rest of her life.
Closing out the night with hits like “Monsters,” and “Second Chance” was brilliant. Shinedown came at you all night from different angles leaving you dazed and confused with “The Sound of Madness” thrown in the mix. How much can one person take, apparently a lot from a band who never says we can’t, or we are good. Shinedown wants to stay fresh, and different, not old and boring. You can catch up with the band in a city near you. The tour runs through August 29, 2025. Don’t miss out on this pyro filled show you will regret it. Thank you Shinedown, the Motor City loves you and looks forward to seeing you soon. Keep rocking America.
Shinedown performing live at Little Caesars Arena July 25, 2025
