Don’t Miss These Photos of Shinedown + Pretty Reckless & Diamante in Evansville Indiana

It has been just over a week since we welcomed Shinedown with special guests The Pretty Reckless and Diamante to Evansville's Ford Center for a 103 GBF Damn Loud Rock Show but we are still reeling from the stellar performances put on by all three acts!

National Concert Day

Even though we are already gearing up for the next Damn Loud Rock Show, we didn't want to miss the opportunity to celebrate National Concert Day today by sharing some photos from the April 26, 2022 show featuring Shinedown, The Pretty Reckless, and Diamante captured and shared with permission by photographer Brandon Hanks of Blackbird Images.

Humble Doesn't Even Begin to Describe These Guys

If you know me, you know I love Shinedown. Brent, Zach, Barry, & Eric are four of the nicest people you will ever meet and the humility that these men have when it comes to their success and their fans is just one of the things I love most about them.

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Always Positive and Uplifting

The other thing I love about the band is their positivity and the way they encourage people to be uplifting of one another. In a world that sometimes feels heavy and dark, those messages of love are the reminder that we all need.

Diamante

The April 26th show opened of course with Diamante. Vocally she is a total knockout. Her powerful voice left this Damn Loud Rock Show audience captivated and awe-struck.

A Sight to Be Seen (from Space)

Not only did Diamante stun the crowd vocally but visually as well in the rhinestone beaded bodysuit she was wearing. I am quite certain that NASA could see Ford Center from space that night from the stage lights reflecting off of her.

Stage Variations

If you were there, you noticed that the stage was a bit different than what we have seen previously with Shinedown shows at Ford Center. It was a longer stage, stretching out into the floor of the venue as opposed to the wider, shorter stage setups that usually accompany rock shows at the venue.

Taylor on a Catwalk

The stage was very obviously designed with Shinedown (and their pyrotechnics in mind) but that did not stop Taylor Momsen of The Pretty Reckless from working that stage like it was her own personal catwalk in Paris or Milan.

More Than a Pretty Face

Not only did The Pretty Reckless own the stage, but Taylor's vocals also owned the crowd too as the band performed a number of fan favorites and of course some of their newer music too.

The Headline Show

Once The Pretty Reckless left the stage, it was time for our friends in Shinedown to give us their all and let me tell you, these four held nothing back. Brent, Zach, Eric, and Barry left their hearts and souls on the stage of Ford Center.

Shinedown Knows How to Move a Crowd

This was my fourth time seeing Shinedown perform live and it never ever gets old. No matter how many times I have heard their music, sung their lyrics, or stood in a sea of thousands mesmerized by the melodies, I always find it moving.

Not Your Typical Rockstars

I mentioned the humility that these guys have and it isn't just for show when they are on stage. I have met them several times and they are always good-spirited, gracious, and kind. They do not carry themselves the typical "rockstar" energy that a lot of musicians try to personify. They are just four, all-around good dudes who love making music.

Face-Melting Pyro

The show itself was spectacular both audibly and visually. The pyrotechnics burned so big, bright, and hot that you could feel the perceptual shift in temperature even from the seats in the lower bowl of Ford Center. I had a friend who was on the floor describe it as "face-melting," and if that isn't a testament to an epic rock n roll show, I don't know what is.

Simple Man Making Memories

Of course, Shinedown performed many of our favorites that we have come to know and love over the last twenty years, including their cover of Lynyrd Skynyrd's Simple Man, a song that carries some significance to me personally as it is tied to a truly precious memory that I have of seeing Skynyrd perform that song live at a concert with my dad. I lost him during the pandemic, and that song will forever make me think of him.

Planet Zero Drops Soon

The band played the title track from the new album, "Planet Zero" as well, and talked about the decision to push the release date back from April 22, 2022, to July 1, 2022, after supply chain issues inhibited the vinyl from being ready in time. The band explained that they wanted to be able to release the album to the whole world, on all mediums, all at one time.

Daylight is Coming

In addition to Planet Zero, the band also debuted the next single from the album, a hauntingly melodic track featuring Zac on acoustic guitar and Eric on the piano that gave me major folk meets power ballad vibes. I won't lie - the song, called Daylight, like any good piece of art, stirred deep emotions in me, causing my eyes to well up with tears. In short, it was beautiful.

Music and Alchemy

Anyone who had never seen Shinedown live before, left that Damn Loud Rock Show a different person than they did when they walked into Ford Center that night. It's just what they do. Brent, Zach, Eric, and Barry are alchemists in a way, transforming their audiences from casual listeners to life-long fans.

Coming Soon: More Damn Loud Rock Shows

We already can't wait to welcome Shinedown back to Ford Center, but in the meantime, we are gearing up for the next 103 GBF Damn Loud Rock Shows. On May 10th we welcome Breaking Benjamin with special guests Seether, Starset, and Lacey Sturm to Ford Center. Then on May 24th, we present Halestorm with Stone Temple Pilots and Black Stone Cherry, also performing at Ford Center. Tickets for both Damn Loud Rock Shows are available through Ticketmaster and Ford Center Box Office.

Special Thanks

I want to say a special thank you to Brandon Hanks of Blackbird Images for allowing us to share his photography. You can follow Brandon's work on Instagram here and over at Alive N Loud.