There’s twenty thousand fists pumping in the air and Brent Smith of Shinedown is the ringleader. Everyone from the front row to the back of the lawn is singing along word for word as he and the band power through “The Sound Of Madness” one of their many hit songs. Yes, tonight the MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre was ablaze with excitement and anticipation as Shinedown, the iconic rock band, brought their Planet Zero World Tour to Tampa. With Spiritbox and Papa Roach as the opening acts, the night promised a relentless onslaught of rock, and it did not disappoint.
Before the rock giants Shinedown took over the stage, the evening began with an electrifying performance by the rising Canadian metal sensation, Spiritbox. As the opening act, they had the challenging task of setting the stage on fire, and their performance showed that they were more than up for the task. Anticipation was clearly in the air for Spiritbox. This Canadian band has been making waves and causing everyone to sit up and take notice. They kicked off their set with “Jaded.” Courtney LaPlante‘s hauntingly powerful vocals filled the venue, immediately drawing the crowd into their mesmerizing world of heavy riffs and ethereal melodies. The band’s energy was infectious, and the audience responded with enthusiastic cheers and headbanging.
The momentum continued with “Hurt You,” a track that showcased Spiritbox’s ability to seamlessly blend heaviness and melodic beauty. The intricate guitar work by Mike Stringer and the thunderous drumming by Zev Rose added depth and intensity to their performance. “Yellow Jacket” and “Rotoscope” followed, captivating the audience with their dynamic shifts and emotional depth. Each song was a sonic journey, and Spiritbox’s musicianship was on full display, leaving no doubt about their prowess as a live act. “The Void” brought a change of pace, with its atmospheric intro building anticipation before exploding into a sonic onslaught. The crowd was fully immersed in the music, with many singing along to every word.
As Spiritbox transitioned into “Circle With Me,” the atmosphere reached its peak. The song’s infectious chorus enthralled everyone in the venue, and Courtney’s vocals soared to incredible heights. The energy in the Amphitheatre was electric.The set reached its climax with “Holy Roller,” a fan favorite. The heavy, chugging riffs and Courtney’s fierce vocals had the crowd headbanging and moshing in a display of pure metal energy. The band left it all on the stage, delivering a performance that left the audience craving more.
While Spiritbox’s opening set may have been relatively short, it was nothing short of a whirlwind of emotions and sonic intensity. Their music is a unique blend of heaviness and beauty, and their live performance does justice to the complexity of their songs. Spiritbox proved that they are a force to be reckoned with in the world of metal, and they left a lasting impression on the audience as they eagerly awaited Shinedown’s performance.
The next band to grace the stage was Papa Roach. The iconic California nu-metal rockers kicked things off with “Between Angels and Insects,” a classic that immediately sent shockwaves of excitement through the audience. Jacoby Shaddix, the band’s charismatic frontman, commanded the stage with his boundless energy and infectious stage presence. The setlist was a rollercoaster ride of hits and fan favorites. “Kill The Noise” and “Getting Away With Murder” had the crowd headbanging and singing along, proving that these songs have truly stood the test of time. The band’s chemistry was evident, with Jerry Horton‘s searing guitar riffs and Tobin Esperance‘s thunderous bass lines driving the music forward.
“Cut The Line” and “To Be Loved” continued the onslaught of high-energy rock, with Jacoby’s raspy vocals cutting through the air like a sonic force. During “To Be Loved” Jacoby Shaddix decided to hop off the stage and walk to the back of the venue delighting all the fans who got a bird’s eye view of him. As he was making his way back to the stage he let everyone know that while he was shaking hands with fans, his wedding ring fell off. He further went on to say laughingly that his wife would kill him, so if anyone found it to get it back to him. The band’s performance throughout all of this was a whirlwind of movement and intensity, keeping the audience on their toes.
During the show, a video came on all the screens showing Shaddix talking about mental health and suicide prevention. After the video in a very touching moment Papa Roach dedicated “Leave The Light On” to the late Chris Cornell, a tribute that resonated deeply with the crowd. The song’s emotional lyrics and heartfelt performance were a fitting homage to the legendary Soundgarden and Audioslave frontman.
As the night progressed, the hits just kept coming. “Scars” had the entire venue singing along, and “No Apologies” and “Born For Greatness” kept the energy levels at a peak. The band’s connection with the audience was tangible, and it was clear that they were feeding off the crowd’s enthusiasm. “Help” was a high point in the set, with its anthemic chorus and infectious hooks. The venue was transformed into a sea of waving hands and swaying bodies as the audience embraced the song’s message of unity and support.
Papa Roach saved one of their most iconic tracks for last, closing their set with “Last Resort.” The song’s opening chords sent the audience into a frenzy, with fans screaming every word at the top of their lungs. It was a powerful and cathartic moment that left everyone in the venue exhilarated.
As the anticipation reached its peak, the house lights dimmed and the two giant video screens that dominated center stage came alive. On them they showed plenty of tour hijinks as well as the all the members of the band connecting with their fans. Finally the screens showed the image from their latest album Planet Zero. The screens parted and Brent, Barry, Eric, and Zach, the members of Shinedown walked through and greeted the audience.
When they grabbed their instruments the unmistakable intro to “Diamond Eyes” filled the Amphitheatre. Shinedown burst onto the stage with an explosion of pyrotechnics that left the audience in awe. The energy was palpable, and it was evident that the band was here to rock the night away. Following the explosive start, Shinedown transitioned seamlessly into “The Dead Don’t Die,” another hit single off of Planet Zero. The song was accompanied by a continuous display of pyro that mirrored the intensity of the song itself. The visual spectacle combined with the band’s musical prowess created an unforgettable experience.
At this point, the crowd’s excitement was at a fever pitch. The stage lights dimmed, and a grand piano descended onto the stage. Eric Bass set down his bass guitar and made his way to the piano. He then launched into the unmistakable intro to “I’ll Follow You”. As always Brent Smith’s vocals were powerful, and heartfelt, which fit the song perfectly. At just the right point, Zach Myers leaped atop the piano to deliver an electrifying guitar solo, showcasing the band’s incredible talent and showmanship. The setlist was a rollercoaster of hits and fan favorites, including “State Of My Head,” “Devil,” “Unity,” “45,” “Enemies,” and “Sound Of Madness.” The intimate moment during “A Symptom Of Being Human,” played acoustically, allowed the audience to connect with the band on a deeper level.
Shinedown also treated fans to tracks from their latest album, “Planet Zero,” which had the crowd singing along with every word. The band’s performance of “Second Chance” was particularly memorable, with the entire Amphitheatre joining in a collective sing-along. One of the evening’s highlights came when Zach Myers and Eric Bass paid homage to Jimmy Eat World by covering “The Middle.” The crowd enthusiastically joined in, making it a special moment of unity and celebration.
The night continued with a medley of “Daylight” and “Get Up,”. Afterward, Zach Myers made his way to center stage armed only with an acoustic guitar. Brent Smith joined him as he started to play the opening chords of the Lynyrd Skynyrd hit song, that they’ve made their own “Simple Man”. What followed was an emotionally charged rendition of this classic hit song.” The concert reached its climax with “Monsters” and “Cut The Cord,” leaving the audience on a euphoric high.
In the end, Shinedown’s Planet Zero World Tour at the Midflorida Credit Union Amphitheatre was nothing short of a rock and roll spectacle. Their powerful performance, combined with the incredible opening acts, left fans exhilarated and eager for more. Shinedown proved once again why they are at the top of their game and why their music continues to resonate with fans worldwide.
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