Shinedown • Bush • Morgan Wade • August 11, 2025 • Maverik Center
Reviewed and Photographed by Max Taylor
On August 11, 2025, the Maverik Center roared to life as legendary American rock band Shinedown brought their “Dance, Kid, Dance” Tour to Utah. With support from singer-songwriter Morgan Wade and ’90s alt-rock veterans Bush, fans were treated to an evening packed with powerhouse performances, storytelling, and enough pyrotechnics to rival a Fourth of July finale.
From the moment fans streamed into the arena, the air was buzzing. People filtered to their seats or pressed up to the rail in the pit, drinks in hand, cell phones out, or holding up handmade signs in hopes of catching a band member’s eye. People of all ages filled the audience. The stage setup alone promised a spectacle — a wide platform reaching out into the crowd via a catwalk, 2 disco balls suspended in the air that would catch the light, and giant light bars above the general admission pit in the shape of the letter “x”.
Morgan Wade
Morgan Wade opened the night with a full-band set that instantly demanded attention. Her presence was unpretentious yet magnetic. She exuded a grounded confidence and stage presence that set the bar high for the evening. A standout moment came with her cover of Radiohead’s “Creep,” brimming with edge. It drew loud approval from the audience as the audience sang along. Between songs, Wade’s delivery balanced strength and vulnerability, making her a perfect lead-in to the heavier acts that would follow.
Bush
When Bush took the stage, the shift in atmosphere was immediate. Frontman Gavin Rossdale, at 59, still radiated a similar energy that fueled the band’s rise in the ’90s. He darted from one side of the stage to the other, locking eyes with fans and leaning into the crowd as if pulling them into the performance.
The set was packed with songs from Bush’s extensive discography. Guitar solos cut through the arena with precision, each note ringing sharp and clear. When “Comedown” hit, the Maverik Center transformed into a single, unified voice, voices singing in unison — the biggest crowd-wide singalong of the night so far.
Shinedown
Formed in 2001, Shinedown didn’t so much start their set as detonate it. A dancing “robot” known to fans as TV Man and a figure in a pink ski mask hyped the crowd before the first note, setting the tone for the theatrical punch that was coming. Moments later, the lights went dark and fans roared. Attention was captured. Anticipation was sky high. A variety of screen visuals appeared. Following the series of visuals, as the name of the tour lit up the room in big red glowing letters, chaos struck in the best way. Pyro rained from above, flames surged from both the front and back of the stage, sparks arced overhead, and thick smoke curled around the band members as they emerged.
Drummer Barry Kerch held down the main stage while guitarist Zach Myers and bassist Eric Bass worked the catwalks, leaning into the pit. Frontman Brent Smith was in constant motion, crossing platforms, reaching for hands, and never letting the energy drop.
The energy was unmatched. Vocals from Smith and backup vocals from Myers were powerful, captivating, and made you want to get up off your feet and jump, which everyone in the room appeared to be doing a great job at.
Between the bursts of fire and guitar riffs, the band found moments to speak directly to the crowd. At one point in the evening, the crowd was told that one dollar from each ticket sale went to Musicians On Call, a nonprofit that brings live music to hospital patients. I found this quite moving, as I have worked in healthcare roles before and it means a lot to see musicians utilizing their platform to serve beyond just goodness of what their music provides.
Smith also addressed loss and grief, urging fans to think of loved ones who had passed. He urged them to have faith and said, “They’re not gone. They’re everywhere… I promise they’re not gone, and if you will believe, tonight they’ll be right beside you.”
The band followed with “Three Six Five,” as the screens filled with a touching slideshow of photos from the band members of them with loved ones who have passed — a collective moment of remembrance in the middle of a high-energy rock show. It was very emotional and very moving.
Later in the evening, every member of the band made their way out onto the catwalk and a smaller stage area that was in the middle of the general admission pit. Kerch traded his full kit for a compact drum setup, Bass slid over to the piano, and Myers picked up an acoustic guitar. Smith’s vocals carried the room with clarity. They took time to acknowledge signs in the crowd — a newlywed couple, a fan attending their 100th Shinedown concert, and a soon-to-be college freshman. Smith reminisced about Salt Lake City being the most ticketed stop on a past tour, a fact that clearly still meant something to him. Under golden and blue light from the spinning disco ball, “Through the Ghost” felt almost cinematic.
Their performance swelled back into electric energy with “Call Me,” sparking another singalong, and the rarely-played “The Crow and the Butterfly,” which drew loud cheers before Myers launched into a soaring guitar solo.
Back on the main stage, Shinedown kept the momentum high. Smith playfully asked the crowd, “Do you wanna go up or do you wanna go down?” before reminding pit-goers to take care of each other: “If you ain’t happy, no one is happy.” After a collective deep breath and a countdown, the floor shook as everyone jumped in unison — flames shooting so high it looked like the band was playing inside a firestorm.
Cameras mounted on microphone stands gave fans a close-up view of some of the band members, while lasers and smoke effects shifted constantly to match the mood of each song. At one point, Kerch hurled drumsticks into the crowd, drawing cheers from the lucky few who caught them.
It was this balance — moments of overwhelming spectacle along with personal, human connection — that made the night feel so full. Shinedown brought the fire, literally and figuratively, but also the vulnerability to pause, speak, and listen.
Before the final bows, Smith left the audience with a simple but resonant message: “Thank you for trusting us.” Judging by the deafening cheers, the feeling was mutual.
Don’t miss your opportunity to see Shinedown on their current tour, “Dance, Kid, Dance” which finishes up this leg in Memphis, Tennessee on August 30th. You won’t regret it.