SHINEDOWN
w/ Bush, Morgan Wade
7/26/25 – Fiserv Forum – Milwaukee, WI
©Justin Nuoffer/NuoferMedia.com
A fresh rainstorm had just rolled through, leaving steamy puddles and glistening streets in its wake. But the bustle of the city didn’t slow for a second. Downtown Milwaukee was alive—with the Brewers playing at home, street festivals in full swing, and State Street packed with people simply soaking in the energy of a summer evening.
Around the Fiserv Forum, the Deer District pulsed with activity. Restaurants and small shops buzzed with customers, while the open plaza in front of the arena brimmed with excitement. Long lines stretched across the square, filled with fans eager to get inside. A sense of hope and anticipation lingered in the humid air as the giant screen lit up: Shinedown’s Dance Kid Dance Tour had arrived.
As the doors of the Milwaukee Bucks arena opened, fans filtered through security and ticket scans, then flowed up escalators to the main concourse or into upgraded suites. On the arena floor, the stage stood tall at the back, with a dramatic catwalk reaching into the center, flanked by two smaller wings that extended toward each side. Outside the seating area, merch stands were swarmed with fans grabbing tour shirts and memorabilia.
The crowd buzzed with expectation—tonight promised to be unforgettable. For more than two decades, Bush and Shinedown have rocked arenas across the globe. Now, it was Milwaukee’s turn—and the fans were more than ready.
Kicking off the party was Morgan Wade, a relatively fresh face on the scene but no stranger to Wisconsin, having graced its stages several times before. She was met with a roar from the crowd as she took the stage, delivering a unique blend of country, folk, and rock that felt both fresh and familiar. Alternating between guitar and microphone, Wade captivated the audience with emotionally rich lyrics that conveyed a range of emotions, from heartbreak to resilience.
Check out the Morgan Wade photo gallery below:
With just seven songs in her set, she made every moment count, showcasing her range and artistry. Opening with “High in Your Apartment,” then flowing into “Roses” and “Meet Somebody,” Wade’s vocal power and raw talent were on full display. Her voice was a force—bold, textured, and unmistakable. She closed her set with a powerful cover of Radiohead’s “Creep,” followed by her standout track “Wilder Days,” which featured a nod to Ozzy Osbourne with an “Iron Man” outro—an undeniably fitting tribute.
With their brand-new album, I Beat Loneliness, freshly released, Bush has hit the road to bring the new material to life on stage. Dropped less than two weeks ago, the album’s songs are still unfamiliar to many fans, adding a layer of surprise and freshness to each live show. That spontaneity gave the legendary rockers’ setlist an unpredictable and electrifying edge.
Opening the night with “Scars,” a track from the new record, the band was met with an overwhelmingly positive reaction. They then launched into “Machinehead,” and the crowd erupted as the iconic radio hit filled the venue. Drawing from the strength of their first two albums—cornerstones of 1990s hard rock—Bush kept the energy high with performances of “Everything Zen” and “Greedy Fly.”
Midset marked the moment Bush truly took flight, powering through their new material with commanding energy. With standout tracks like the album’s title song “I Beat Loneliness” and “60 Ways to Forget People,” the band recaptured the vintage spirit of their ’90s heyday—reviving a sound that now resonates with a younger generation while still striking a nostalgic chord with longtime fans.
As always, frontman Gavin Rossdale proved to be a man of the people. Known for his boundless stage presence, he once again broke from the spotlight and ventured into the crowd during “Flowers on a Grave.” Winding his way through the arena seating, he high-fived fans, posed for selfies, and shook hands—transforming the performance into a shared experience. The audience was electrified.
Back on stage, Rossdale launched into a solo performance of the timeless Glycerine. It was a spine-tingling moment—goosebumps, chills, the whole package. Bush knows how to tap into emotional depth, and they don’t miss. Some things do age like fine wine: thirty years after the release of Sixteen Stone, closing the show with “Comedown” hit just as hard as it did back in the day.
Check out the Bush concert photo gallery below:
Bush is a revitalized force—still delivering hard-hitting, emotionally resonant rock that bridges generations. There’s no slowing down, and if the explosive crowd reaction at Fiserv Forum is any indication, fans wholeheartedly agree.
The sold-out arena buzzed with anticipation as the crowd prepared for Shinedown’s arrival. Chants echoed through the air, tension rising with every passing second. Then, the lights cut out. A single spotlight revealed the band’s signature TV-headed character, now brought to life, serving as a visual cue to ignite the massive video board behind it. With a thunderous concussion blast shooting toward the ceiling, Shinedown emerged onto the catwalk—and without missing a beat, launched into the explosive opener, “Dance, Kid, Dance.”.
Bassist Eric Bass and guitarist Zach Myers flanked the stage on either side, fully engaged with fans encircling the extended platform. The first leg of this Shinedown marathon was a high-octane spectacle. From the fire-drenched main stage reveal during “Fly From the Inside” to the brooding shadows and synchronized video board visuals of “Cut the Cord”, each song delivered its distinctive mood and energy.
The set also featured radio mainstays like “Devil” and “Enemies”, amping up the crowd and delivering a full sensory assault. Pyro, lights, and larger-than-life visuals blended seamlessly with the band’s powerful performance. Every moment was crafted to pull fans in—and it worked. This was Shinedown at full throttle, engaging on every level.
That energy shifted into something more intimate as the show entered its unscripted portion. Guitarist Zach Myers proudly announced that Brent Smith had crafted the setlist for this middle segment—one that took place entirely on the center stage in the heart of the arena. Kicking things off with the heartfelt “Call Me” provided the perfect slowdown.
A standout moment came when a fan near the stage held up a sign requesting “I Dare You” for his birthday. The band shared that they rarely play the track, but, as if by fate, it had already been added to the setlist earlier. The crowd erupted. It was a snapshot of what defines Shinedown: a band deeply connected to their fans, guided as much by instinct as by intention.
Smith then explained that Eric Bass had recently reimagined a song from their early days—a piece they felt needed to be heard again. That song, “In Memory,” was delivered with care. Bass took to the piano, the rest of the band surrounding him, moving gently through a performance that honored the fans who’ve stood by them for decades. It was a rare, beautiful moment of vulnerability and reflection.
As the band transitioned toward the final act, the tempo kicked back up with “Dead Don’t Die” and “Diamond Eyes,” signaling that the home stretch was underway. The showmanship never wavered. During “A Symptom of Being Human,” 18,000 fans lit up the arena with their cell phones, creating a galaxy of lights that turned the venue into something sacred. Then came “Planet Zero.” Dense fog swept across the stage, lights from the rafters beamed downward like searchlights from another world, and a booming “landing sequence” played through the speakers. The moment felt genuinely otherworldly—cinematic, immersive, unforgettable.
As the entire world mourns the loss of Ozzy Osbourne—an icon whose influence transcended generations and genres—Shinedown paid tribute in a moment that was both powerful and tender. Zach Myers stepped to center stage, guitar in hand, and began an acoustic rendition of “Mama, I’m Coming Home.” Behind him, a solemn image of Ozzy from his final performance lit up the massive video screen, casting a quiet reverence over the arena.
That emotional homage flowed seamlessly into another classic: Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Simple Man.” A song Shinedown has made their own over the past two decades, it has evolved into a cornerstone of their live performances. This time, they slowed the pacing just enough for the crowd to carry it with them. As the final verse approached, Brent Smith stepped back and asked the sides of the arena to join in—and they did, with thousands of voices rising in unison. Every corner of the venue seemed to echo with the collective sound of connection. It was overwhelming, raw, and beautiful.
That shared moment of unity lingered in the air as the band powered into “Monsters” and “Sound of Madness,” reminding the audience just how wide a range Shinedown can cover—from reflective and intimate to explosive and anthemic. But the tribute, and the togetherness it sparked, was unforgettable—a testament to the band’s heart and their deep bond with their fans.
Perhaps the most unforgettable moment of the night came during the final song, “Second Chance.” Joining Shinedown on stage to play rhythm guitar was none other than Brent Smith’s son, Lyric. The proud father delivered every lyric with passion, frequently turning to beam at his son as he played alongside the band. For a family that keeps its personal life largely private, the gesture was both surprising and deeply wholesome. As the show came to a close, Lyric gave the crowd a shy wave goodbye—a fitting end to an emotionally rich performance.
Check out the Shinedown concert photo gallery below:
Shinedown reigned supreme, cutting through the noise and chaos of the outside world to deliver a masterclass in live performance to this Midwest city. Every move, every word, and every heartfelt comment resonated with sincerity. That genuine connection is what keeps fans coming back, time and time again.
Their stage production only amplified the impact. From pyrotechnics and smoke effects to tightly choreographed lighting, every visual element was executed with precision—enhancing the emotion and energy of the music itself. Shinedown has become an unstoppable force in the rock world, and tonight’s performance was a powerful reminder that they’re not just holding their ground—they’re still reaching new heights.
