Dance, Kid, Dance Tour: Shinedown, BUSH, Morgan Wade
- Phantom Light Media
- Aug 15, 2025
- 4 min read
When you’re a rock band that has the most #1 singles in history on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Chart, you’ve got nothing left to prove and can set the world on fire. That’s what Shinedown did at the Moda Center in Portland on their national Dance, Kid, Dance tour. Virtually every song was packed with erupting flames and balls of fire that called forth our primitive side. There was no bad seat in the house, as the stage was massive and had wings extending to each side of the arena. Shinedown was thoughtful about the complete and total experience for attendees of all ages. It was probably one of the best rock concerts for families to attend as tickets weren’t overpriced and you could see the artists clearly from every seat. If you were holding out for an epic rock concert that was worth every hard-earned dollar, this would be the one to attend.
Opening with a calm and simple dance from a suited individual that had a TV for head, it set the tone for the nostalgic and theatrical awesomeness that attendees were about to witness. After a brief moment of darkness, Shinedown appeared as both the villain and hero through walls of fire to their tour titled song, “Dance, Kid, Dance.” Even though the stage was massive and pyrotechnics were heavy, Shinedown didn’t get swallowed up and kept the crowd focused on their every move. Lead singer Brent Smith, guitarist Zach Myers, bassist Eric Bass and drummer Barry Kerch each held their own performance and shined in the spotlight.
They did manage to pause the fire and lowered the disco ball to let everyone catch their breath. Brent gave a brief speech about remembering those that we have lost and held a moment of silence for them. He then sang with his beautiful, bourbon voice one of their newest songs, “Three Six Five.” It was an emotionally touching ballad about all the things that can happen in a year. Another gripping and timeless song that will be for surely played at weddings, graduations, funerals, and major life events for years to come.
Shinedown held concertgoers’ attention for the entire 2-hour set. You could feel that they really care about their fans and appreciate their support. Even though they had lots of fire and booms, it took pure honesty and authenticity to stand out like that and not get burned. It was a performance that made you feel blessed to be able to breathe air into your lungs and have experienced that day. Shinedown are superstars of rock, but they still see you and encourage you to be your best and not sweat the small stuff.
Shinedown may have been the headliner, but they were also accompanied by another rock god, Bush.
Amassing a 30 year career of chart-topping hits and still having gas left in the tank is mind blowing. Bush just released their 10th studio album titled, “I Beat Loneliness.” But their performance was anything but depressing, they kept up the beat and stayed true to their iconic sound of grit, grunge, honesty and mesmerizing melodies. It’s hard to imagine that frontman Gavin will be turning 60 this year. You can tell that he really loves making music that his fans can relate to and is devoted to creating the most beautiful experience for your ears and eyes. He owns himself and didn’t need to wear a flashy costume or ham up his dance moves. He let his voice and aura carry throughout the arena and was confident that it would touch each soul in attendance. Gavin made sure of this by stepping out into the crowd and took an ample, unrushed stroll through the sections, allowing for high fives and selfies. Bush played respected songs like “Glycerin,” “Machinehead,” and “Swallowed,” along with some new ones like “The Land of Milk and Honey.” Bush gave a heartwarming and hypnotic performance that was significant on its own for captivating multiple generations in one set. A class reunion for Gen X and Millennials while inviting Gen Z and Alpha to appreciate raw and original rock expressions.
This may have been a rock focused concert, but opener Morgan Wade brought the country vibes. A seemingly interesting choice on the tour, but she held her own and proved that talent doesn’t have a minimum age or gender. She’s an old soul with a raspy yet smooth voice like Dolly, Miranda, Tanya, Stevie and Janis. Morgan is also skilled on the guitar and paid tribute to Ozzy with Black Sabbath’s “Iron Man.” She’s a force to be reckoned with and shows musical longevity with her versatility and confidence.
It was a well orchestrated concert with something for everyone, even those that weren’t there. Shinedown teamed up with Musicians On Call and donated $1 from every ticket sold. This organization brings the sound of music to hospital patients and their families. Thank you, Portland, for bringing in over $7,000 to this wonderful cause.
You can still catch Shinedown and Bush at a city near you as they make their way through the Midwest and East Coast. If you love rock, you must catch one of their shows!
Photos & Review By: Ashley Jaynes
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