Seven years after their last stop in Paris, Shinedown is finally back in France. For the Dance Kid Dance Act II tour, the band rolled into the Zénith in Paris, and the anticipation lived up to the occasion.
Those Damn Crows
The venue was still only half-full for the opening act, leaving the floor with a comfortable margin for maneuver. As an opener, crow croaks echoed through the speakers to introduce the Welsh band THOSE DAMN CROWS.
The band delivered its repertoire in a compact 30-minute set. While the entire group was solid, it was mainly their singer Shane Greenhall who carried the performance. The frontman commands the stage with ease and manages to connect with the front rows. The track “No Surrender” stands out as the catchiest.
An enthusiastic and agreeable warm-up, without lasting impact. The Welsh quintet nonetheless proves that it has the mettle to win over fans of modern rock.
Shinedown
To pass the wait, a TV-head mascot, nodding to the visuals of the latest album, acted as the hype man before the eagerly awaited arrival of SHINEDOWN. Then, the concert kicked off on the spot with the powerful “Safe And Sound,” drawn from the latest album EI8HT. A strong opening.
The evening is led by Brent Smith, a true master of ceremonies. His gesturing and stage presence carry us through every track. The band offers a rich setlist, a perfect blend of “old school / new school” as the singer puts it. Among the standout songs: “Diamond Eyes (Boom-Lay Boom-Lay Boom)”, “Devil”, and “Enemies” remain as effective live. Among the new material, the positive and refreshing vibe of “Young Again” is appreciated. Yet the sequence of songs can feel like a rollercoaster of emotions, with abrupt mood shifts (the run of “Three Six Five” / “Devil” / “Searchlight” / “Enemies” takes us through a full range of feelings).
Between tracks, Brent Smith promotes messages of kindness, reminding that music is a universal language. The singer dedicates “Three Six Five” to all who have lost a loved one, and offers a brief moment of reflection inviting the audience to think of someone who has passed away. During that piece, disco balls scatter starry light over the crowd. A very beautiful moment of shared communion.
Throughout the show, the camaraderie among the band members is evident. While Brent treats the crowd to his usual crowd-surfing, the musicians tease each other during an instrumental interlude.
We were glad to see Eric Bass in good shape, after he missed the early dates of the American leg this summer for mental health reasons. The multi-tasking bassist handles piano, backing vocals, and acoustic guitar with ease.
Guitarist Zach Myers is no slouch either. He handles backing vocals with flair and later in the night pays tribute to Brad Arnold (3 Doors Down) by performing “Kryptonite” solo, which is later sung along by the audience. As for drummer Barry Kerch, he remains as effective behind the kit as ever. He has that little gesture that says a lot: during the acoustic passages where he isn’t playing, instead of slipping away he stays on stage to take his time watching the audience, as if he himself is enjoying the moment.
In the end, our only regret is the absence of the track “Dance, Kid, Dance” from the setlist, even though it is the tour’s namesake. But we left with a nearly two-hour show that felt full, powered by a tight band and a charismatic frontman. And as Brent Smith puts it to close: “It’s never goodbye, it’s just ’til next time”.
