Julia Dunagan If you’ve never seen Shinedown live — or even if you have — the Dance, Kid, Dance Tour is a must. Their May 10th stop at Bridgestone Arena was nothing short of explosive. With stagecraft worthy of rock royalty and firepower to match, Shinedown delivered a set that shook the walls and reminded Nashville exactly how it’s done.
Morgan Wade
Opening the night, Morgan Wade brought soulful grit and vulnerability to the stage, warming up the crowd with her signature blend of Americana rock and deeply personal lyrics. She didn’t need theatrics — her voice and story carried all the weight. For a crowd bracing for impact, she offered something grounding and real.
Photos by Julia Dunagan Photography. All images © 2025 Copyright Julia Dunagan Photography. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Beartooth
Following Wade’s set, Beartooth took the reins with a blistering performance full of energy, raw vocals, and massive riffs. Their set perfectly bridged the gap between Wade’s intimate storytelling and the full-scale adrenaline rush to come. One of the most powerful moments came during “Might Love Myself,” a gut-punch of a track that strips down self-doubt and wrestles with what it means to feel okay in your own skin. The lyrics hit hard for anyone who’s ever struggled to believe they’re worthy just as they are. When the band roared back into high gear, the crowd was more than ready — fully charged and emotionally cracked open for the firestorm Shinedown was about to unleash.
Photos by Julia Dunagan Photography. All images © 2025 Copyright Julia Dunagan Photography. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Shinedown
Before a single chord rang out for Shinedown’s set, the crowd was introduced to TV Man — a mysterious figure featured prominently in the tour’s visuals. With a retro television for a head, he took the stage flickering with static, cryptic symbols, and nostalgic flashes from the past. The message was clear: in a digital world overflowing with noise, distraction, and endless scrolling, we risk losing our connection to one another. It was both a welcome and a warning — start paying attention or get lost in the static.
When Shinedown finally hit the stage, opening with the tour’s title track, the energy inside Bridgestone Arena exploded. The crowd was electric, feeding off the band’s full-throttle performance and larger-than-life presence. The production alone was worth the price of admission — a spectacle of lights, flames, and fireworks that pushed every moment to the next level.
But beyond the visuals, this tour taps into something deeper.
Shinedown doesn’t just play music — they show up and connect. Entirely present. Relentlessly passionate. Their brand of connection isn’t accidental; it’s intentional, built into everything they do. From the carefully crafted setlist to the stage design — complete with extended walkways and multi-level risers — everything brings the band closer to the fans. This is a group that doesn’t believe in barriers. They meet you where you are, just as they are.
Midway through the show, a rotating section of deep cuts gave Nashville fans something truly special. This portion changes nightly, making every stop feel unique and personal. The blend of longtime fan favorites with newer material offered a powerful contrast — a reminder that Shinedown’s catalog runs deep and is still evolving.
One of the most touching moments of the night came when the band dedicated “Get Up” to a cancer fighter in the audience. As Brent Smith shared heartfelt words of support, you could feel emotion ripple through the crowd. That love — from the band and the thousands of fans — filled the room and wrapped around that person like a warm, unspoken embrace.
Throughout the night, the crowd gave it all back — chanting, screaming, crying, and singing every word. Nashville didn’t just show up; they showed out, creating a loop of energy that intensified with each track.
“We were already crying before the lights even went down,” one fan told me, still emotional long after the show ended. Another described the experience as spiritual — like the band was speaking directly to them when they needed it most.
Photos by Julia Dunagan Photography. All images © 2025 Copyright Julia Dunagan Photography. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
By the time the final notes of “Second Chance” faded, it was clear this wasn’t just a spectacle — it was something far more powerful. A reminder that music still heals. Still connects. Still transforms.
And if you’re lucky, you get to feel that magic more than once.
Don’t miss your chance to catch Shinedown on the Dance, Kid, Dance tour. It’s an experience you won’t forget.
If any information in this coverage is incorrect or needs to be fixed, please email PCD Editor at jessica@postconcertdepression.com. Thank you!
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