Shinedown, accompanied by Bush and Morgan Wade, brought the explosive, almost four-hour Dance, Kid, Dance Tour to Rosemont’s Allstate Arena.
On paper, seeing Morgan Wade‘s name on this line-up might seem a little odd since she predominantly made a name for herself in the country music realm. However, the songs she performed during her opening spot leaned more towards the rock genre. Her six-song set was an early start to the evening and introduced her to a new audience.
Bush was just in the area last summer for their own headlining tour; however, that didn’t deter their fans from coming out in droves to catch them once again. With the performance they put on and the reception they received, you’d be excused for thinking they were headlining this show, too. Gavin Rossdale was a pure ball of energy as he not only utilized every inch of the ample-sized stage structure but also effortlessly hopped over the barrier to wade through the crowd while still singing. The rest of us felt exhausted just watching! A shoutout must also go to Nik Hughes, who pounded his drum kit into submission and certainly made his presence known throughout their set.The 11-song set made sure to check all of the boxes. They played a good selection from their latest album, I Beat Loneliness, such as the title track, “Scars,” “I Am Here To Save Your Life,” and “The Land of Milk and Honey.” They were also sure to include fan favorites such as “Comedown,” “Everything Zen,” “Glycerine,” “Machinehead,” and “Swallowed.” Their hour-long set did not feel like it was quite long enough, although they did make the best use of their time and packed a lot into it. Judging by the audience’s reaction to their set coming to an end, the rest of the Allstate Arena clearly felt the same way.
As the crowd filled to capacity after fighting through the crazy traffic, which was clearly impacted by both the weather and the city’s annual Air and Water Show, it was time for the headliners, Shinedown. When band’s have a new album coming out, they typically release some teaser songs, and then tour at roughly the same time or just after the album has been released. Shinedown does like to be different, and this is definitely the case here too. In January, they released the song, “Dance, Kid, Dance.” They are now on the Dance, Kid, Dance Tour. However, their new album doesn’t look like it will be released until possibly March 2026. They also included their other recent single, “Three Six Five.” The rest of the evening was jam-packed with songs the fans love, such as “Cut The Cord,” “Second Chance,” and “Sound of Madness.”The evening’s set was opened with “Dance, Kid, Dance,” as each of the band members was positioned at various points, spread across the stage and the “Y”-shaped runways. If there’s one thing you’ll know if you’ve ever been to a Shinedown show, they are a spectacle for the eyes as well as the ears. If there’s a record for the amount of pyro used during a show, they surely have to be contenders for the top spot. The heat from the storm-inducing weather outside had nothing on the temperatures searing from this stage.
This is a band that never fails to impress live. Frontman Brent Smith certainly knows how to command an audience. Guitarist Zach Myers couldn’t resist interacting with those members of the audience who were up close. Add bassist Eric Bass and drummer Barry Kerch into the mix and you have a killer combination for a night of rock. Even if you don’t know any of their songs, you can’t help but be drawn in and captivated. From the moment they stepped out onto the stage, the foursome held everyone’s attention.
For every ticket sold on this tour, $1 will go to benefit Musicians On Call. Musicians On Call brings the healing power of music to patients, their families, and caregivers in healthcare environments. Loud Hailer has been a longtime supporter of MOC, so if you can go and see some amazing live music while also helping out these families, do it! The tour runs until the end of August.
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