Shinedown

Unfortunately, between a long beer line and an even longer food line, we missed the start of Shinedown's set. But by the time we had made our way back to the WZYP stage, the band was sounding in fine form.

Another unfortunate fact was that a heel injury I've had for some time had been exacerbated by having already stood so long for the other sets, so that I was forced to sit throughout much of Shinedown. Somehow, as we all know, rock'n'roll and sitting down just do not go hand in hand.

But one thing it did do was give me a chance to focus even more clearly on the music. Shinedown has consistently been one of the most interesting of modern alternative bands, with finely crafted songs that probe deeply into the human psyche. Vocalist Brent Smith introduced a new song, "Second Chance," by speaking of the need to tear down the walls we erect around ourselves. This was then followed by the celebratory "I Found A Way," which speaks of finding the freedom within to break away from whatever shackles us.

When you hear a song like "I Found A Way," you just can't stay defeated. And so, as bad as it hurt, I was on my feet again, feeling my second wind and ready for round two.

All in all, from what I heard, a very well-crafted set of pretty much everything you would expect to hear from this band. I don't think there were any surpises, but the set at least came off smoothly without a hitch to be heard or seen.

Raven Woods