Shinedown

Photos and review by : Gretchen Smither

Papa Roach

Asking Alexandria

Savage After Midnight

The Sound of Madness rang throughout Bristow, Virginia on September 19, 2019 as the second leg of Shinedown’s Attention Attention tour made its way through the area. Accompanied by Asking Alexandria and Papa Roach, as well as special guests Savage After Midnight, the tour brought fire to the already chilly evening. All four bands brought the energy and noise to the northern Virginia region.

To start the evening was Savage After Midnight, a rock quintet hailing from Memphis, Tennessee. Although concert attendees were still arriving as the band took the stage, this group brought such liveliness. One member that stood out for his energy was the drummer, Derek Bjørnson. The entire band made connections with the crowd through their stage presence, but there was something noteworthy of the drummer achieving this feeling. Whereas everyone else can move around to create those connections, the drummer is sedentary, making it more difficult to do so. But Bjørnson managed to do just that through his intense energy. Be sure to keep Savage After Midnight on your radar as they continuje to make waves.

Next up was Asking Alexandria. A favorite on SiriusXM’s Octane station, Asking Alexandria brought even more verve to the crowd. Recent hits, such as “Alone In a Room,” “Into the Fire,” and “Vultures,” were huge with the Bristow crowd and drew in even more concert goers from the merch lines. Although somewhat more subdued than the opening act, Asking Alexandria’s members continued to keep energy levels up with the attendees. Even as the night air started to get chilly, Asking Alexandria kept the heat alive with their music.

Papa Roach proves time and time again that they are some amazing rockers. Forever bringing the energy to the crowd, Papa Roach did not disappoint with their set. With Jacoby Shaddix’s unwavering fervor for the music, the crowd lapped up everything the group had for them. If you’ve never seen Papa Roach live before, you are truly missing out on an experience. From mosh pits to crowd surfers, this band offers it all. Plus, who doesn’t love rocking out to songs that bring on a great wave of nostalgia? Scream it with me now…”cut my life into pieces, this is my last resort!”

Finally, the headliners for the evening made their way to the stage. Shinedown know how to put on a show, and this night was no different. Between the incredible pyro, the intense lightshow, and the digital imagery that was on display, the presence alone was remarkable. But it’s the members of Shinedown that make every performance truly memorable. With their concept album “Attention Attention” over a year old now, this group has brought a great deal of emotion to their music, as well as their performances. You become fully immersed in what the band offers to their fans. From heavy songs, such as “Devil” and “Enemies,” to more emotional songs, such as “Get Up” and “Call Me,” there was something for everyone. If you’ve never seen Shinedown live, do yourself a favor and acquire tickets to a show near you.

This leg of the tour continues through October 19, closing out in Boise, ID.