Portland’s Arlene Schnitzer concert hall also known as the “The Schnitz” was built in 1928. With it’s storied pedigree, it has seen many plays, orchestras, and concerts. But, I don’t think it has ever seen anything like what Shinedown brought to the stage on February 8th. The historic venue and staff were amazing hosts for nearly three thousand screaming rock fans. As old as this venue is it still stays up to date with its Covid protocols checking vaccination cards/negative tests at the door and having multiple staff members walking around politely asking people to keep their masks on.
Ayron Jones started the night off with an amazing, hard rocking, fist pumping set. Being from Seattle, Ayron Jones told the crowd he had a deeper connection with this show. Following this statement, the crowd was all on their feet singing every word of his version of “Breed” originally by Nirvana. Aryon Jones Is nominated for IHeartMusic’s 2022 top new rock artist, Based on the performance that he gave he should come out victorious! Ending his amazing set with his hit song ‘take me away’ the crowd was warmed up for Shinedown.
“Cutting the cord” from reality, Shinedown came on stage and the crowd was on their feet ready to have their face melted off by amazing vocals, mind blowing lights, and 4 gigantic screens playing breathtaking visual displays throughout the entire show. Barry Kerch decided to have both of his kick drums come to life with beautiful colors all night. The crowd knew that Shinedown wasn’t there to play around when there were tons of fireworks blowing up behind the band on the second song “Unity”. With tons of energy Brent Smith was dancing and running all around the stage all while making sure that the crowd was dancing with him. The boys from Jacksonville, Florida came to Portland and made everyone in the audience a piece of their family.
Playing their new single “Planet Zero” gives an inside look at the new album coming out in April 2022, also titled Planet Zero. Hearing every voice in the theater echoing off the walls to this song that came out on January 26th just shows that every fan is waiting for this album to drop. Shortly after, vocalist Brent Smith messed up the word to “How do you love’” and follows up the song saying “there are so many songs and lyrics going through my head that sometimes it all turns to shit”.
Slowing down the night but not losing the energy, the band turned off all the lights and had the crowd use their phones/lighters for light on the song “GET UP”. Looking around, it was like being in a sea of stars; not a single phone was down. Afterward, guitarist Zach Myers joined Brent on stage for a duet of their hit song “Second Chance”. This iconic song played by only an acoustic guitar and an angel’s voice had not a pair of dry eyes in the room.
Closing the night off with “Sound of Madness”, Shinedown cemeted their legacy in Portland giving the band an all access pass to come back to the Pacific Northwest and let them blow every mind around a couple more times. Leaving “The Schnitz” with one last burst of energy and all the pyrotechnics they had left, Sealed the deal for the boys from Florida.
- Words and images by Jordan
