Just got back from the Orlando House of Blues in Downtown Disney from seeing Shinedown. The three opening bands were pretty decent (especially Sick Puppies), but tonight was just one hell of a show. It was powerful on so many levels.

Here's the setlist:

Sound of Madness
Save Me
45
Heroes
Fly from the Inside
If you Only Knew
Cry for Help
Burning Bright
Call Me
Left Out
Crow and the Butterfly
Cyanide
SIMPLE MAN
Second Chance
Devour

Before I get into the show's details, a comment on the set list: Yes, many of the songs we know and love that were also major hits were played VERY EARLY in the show. Hearing 45, Save Me, and Fly literally one after the other was just amazing. It was also jarring too, which was good since I've seen so many shows.


Tonight was a very special night. You could just feel the energy in the room the moment the guys stepped on stage (even Brent had to comment on it). Right off the bat, it just would not let up. Brent's vocals were top-notch. Zach was really playing each song with passion. Eric showed off that he can do everything from bass, piano, and acoustic guitar. And Barry (who even got some Microphone time to thank the crowd) truly showed why he is the emotional binding of the entire band's sound on the drums.

If you can't already tell, these guys were on.

The Rise before Left Out was intense. The sold out crowd was already going nuts, but this just even more heated. Everyone near me was jumping. And yelling. And even breaking out into a moshpit up in the middle left of the floor.

There was also a cool moment right before Call Me, when they did an "improved" piece call Who Am I to Judge (I think). It was really powerful and a lot of people around in the room were tuned in to it. The lighting at the show made every image seem like some picture-esque moment. Really cool setting for the improved piece.

But, what stole the night for me (and will incur plenty of bragging rights when I tell my friends) is the fact that SIMPLE MAN made another appearance. Brent told an amazing story about how they met Dimebag Darrell five years ago and how he epically walked into the room and became instant friends. It was a powerful story where me and my friends were looking at each other like, "Are we really about to hear SIMPLE MAN?"

Our hopes were answered. Thank you to the band for that special moment. You all are truly a class act of a band that really puts in their all every night. Zach and Brent really raised a lot of hairs in the room the moment we heard that, and I am so proud to be able to share that moment as a fan. It made this concert even better.

After the show, I got the chance to meet Zach, who is a class act of a man. I had to thank him for being on the forums, as he always keeps us informed.

So, thanks to the guys of Shinedown for yet another great show. You guys continue to make every show in Orlando a special show, no matter which venue they are in.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: LSF45,

Awesome review!

Sounds like it was an amazing show....
Ohhhhhhhhh, how I wish I could have been there!
Zach did a great job with Simple Man. Here's the link.Simple Man in Orlando

Just an FYI, the story Brent tells isnt about how they met Lynyrd Skynyrd, its about how they met Dimebag Darrell. Its cool you got to hear it again though man.

Thanks for the heads up, Tanbull. Guess I was a bit too amped up from the show last night.

Amazing review of an AMAZING show!!! I was there also and you described it perfectly. Shinedown was so on for this show, it just a given that the audience felt that and responded. And, what can I say about "Simple Man" being played. My friend and I brought his 9-yr. old daughter to the accoustice show several months ago and she was so upset they didn't play it. We brought her last night for her birthday and she said it was the best birthday present that she could have gotten. Thanks, guys, for an awesome show!!!!!!!!

No worries man. Glad you guys had an awesome time, Myrtle Beach was the same way.

That version of simple man gave me fucking chills. WOW

I'm jealous that you got to hear "Simple Man".

Awesome!