Shinedown Raise Attention Bethel, NY 7-5-19 w/ Badflower, Dinosaur Pile-Up, & Broken Hands

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July 9, 2019

Coming together nearly two decades ago, Shinedown has endured their share of bumps and bruises along the journey. Finding hope through adversity, they would become one of the most successful Rock-n-Roll bands around. Still holding the crown in 2019, a year following the release of ATTENTION ATTENTION, Shinedown are back out on the road for their headlining world tour.

A touring machine, their current summer run comes months after their winter trek alongside Papa Roach and Asking Alexandria. Also, nearly a year since their co-headlining concoction with Godsmack, this time around Shinedown take the spotlight alone with the support of Badflower, Dinosaur Pile-Up, and Broken Hands. A solid mix of acts, with the official bill kicking off on June 21st, the evening of Friday, July 5th was highlighted and starred as a special event on the itinerary.

While each night on the schedule is special, this one was plotted the day after America’s birthday. Known as Independence Day, or simply the 4th of July, the holiday symbolizes the birth of a nation, but also the start of summer. That in mind, what better way to celebrate than a visit up to Bethel, New York to perform on the hallowed grounds of the original 1969 Woodstock music festival? A landmark event focused on peace through music, it does not get more American than that, and 50 years later, Shinedown was gracious enough to keep the spirit alive.

Starting the show relatively early, at exactly 6:30 PM, Broken Hands took to the stage of Bethel Woods Center for the Arts. A beautiful venue nestled in forested hills, with the humidity high and sun beaming from the west into the eyes of performers, the mood was set for a memorable summer concert. Capturing the moment, Broken Hands approached the crowd with a ton of energy, playing a six-song set that included “Split In Two” and “Friends House.”

Relatively unknown to the audience, the UK-based rockers took advantage of the time to raise awareness of who and what they are; best described as a Alternative Rock band driven by guitars and moody undertones. Comprised of brothers Dale (lead vocals) and Callum Norton (drums, backing vocals), along with Jamie Darby (lead guitar), Thomas Ford (bass), as well as David Hardstone (rhythm guitar, keys), together they showed promise thanks to their well-written songs. Recently signed to Atlantic Records, and set to release their sophomore album Split In Two via the label this coming August 9th, Broken Hands are prime to make some noise.

Keeping with the theme of UK Rock, next up was the trio who call themselves Dinosaur Pile-Up. By no means a new band, having roots that date back over ten years, they would first make an impression on American audiences back in 2015 with their third studio album, Eleven Eleven. Now signed on with Parlophone Records / Roadrunner Records, with the proper exposure Dinosaur Pile-Up is getting their due attention with their most recent release, Celebrity Mansions.

A mix of Rock, Grunge, and Punk, frontman Matt Bigland setup stage left, Drummer Mike Sheils sat straight away center, along with Bassist Jim Cratchley on stage right. Cranking up the amps, blasting without regard into red, they immediately turned heads with older and new songs, which included “Arizona Waiting,” “Celebrity Mansions,” and the ruckus “11:11.” Loud and proud, the guitars crunched, the vocals pierced, and they rounded out their perform with the easily-recognized Rap-laden single “Back Foot.” Unique to others on the current Rock scene, Dinosaur Pile-Up is in-your-face until the final note.

With the sun slowly giving way to night, a crescent moon emerged as Badflower prepared to take over. Out of Los Angeles, CA, Badflower have been grinding the pavement for some time as an indie act, touring, and subsequently building a following. Raising more eyebrows with their 2016 EP Temper, 2018 would be the real tremor with the release of the mega single “Ghost.” Now a full blown explosion, their debut album OK, I’M SICK is scorching through 2019 like a house on fire. A factor which dubs them one of the hottest, if not the hottest band in Rock, Badflower brought plenty of their own fanfare to Bethel Woods.

A band that combines the angst of ’90s Alternative Rock with the rawness of Blues and Hard Rock, Badflower’s true distinction comes from their powerful lyrical content. Honest and striking, they approach real life emotion that universally everyone can relate with in one way or another. This was never more true than in the moving performance of “x ANA x,” “White Noise,” and “Promise Me.”

Punctuated by the animated facial expressions of Vocalist/Guitarist Josh Katz, the surrounding energy of the band – Joey Morrow on lead guitar, Alex Espirtiu on bass, and Anthony Sonetti on drums – made it feel like a throwback concert experience right from the heart of the Alternative Rock era. Engaging the audience with the right amount of conversation, the music wrapped up nicely with number 1 hit “Heroin,” followed by “Animal” and the aforementioned “Ghost.” Sending off the audience yearning for more, Katz teased that there are some big plans coming for their own headlining tour, so keep your eyes open.

Now fully immersed in the night, at precisely 9:15 PM Shinedown were set to begin. Cloaking the stage in a massive white sheet, they set an atmosphere of impending adventure with the Indiana Jones theme music playing over the speakers. Keeping a packed pavilion and lawn area of fans on the edge of their seats, soon explosive pyrotechnics burned from the platform as Shinedown rattled off a heavy hitting assault of “DEVIL,” “Diamond Eyes (Boom-Lay Boom-Lay Boom),” and “Enemies.” An opening fearsome three that left little time for anyone to catch their breath, from there it was a balanced attack of hits that included “MONSTERS,” I’ll Follow You,” and “Unity.”

All songs which kept everyone on their feet, perhaps one of the most exciting moments came with the surprise offering of ATTENTION ATTENTION cut “BLACK SOUL.” Tucked in between it all, many reveled in an opportunity to hear the newer track, but yet more surprises came when the band collectively relocated to the back of the covered pavilion to bring the action directly to the lawn patrons. An action that you would assume would only last maybe one song, instead Shinedown performed “If You Only Knew,” “How Did You Love,” and “Second Chance” off the main stage. Pretty cool from various perspectives, through it all Brent Smith (vocals), Zach Myers (guitar), Eric Bass (bass), along with Barry Kerch (drums) showed off their pleasant personalities while expressing awe and appreciation toward the vast history of Bethel.

Returning to the main stage without any lag, they wound down the show with a sing-along for “Simple Man,” followed by an intense rendition of “Cut the Cord,” the uplifting “GET UP,” and wrapping up with “Sound of Madness” and “BRILLIANT” as the finale. A lengthy performance of nineteen songs, Shinedown put on yet another electrifying display that combined a visually stunning stage show with lively musicianship that was top notch. Consistent and never letting down, they continue to prove that they are a live band that refuse to ever mail it in. With the current tour running now through the end of July, Shinedown will continue to tour the world well into autumn, so stop stalling, get up and pick up a ticket…trust us!