What could be better on crisp fall weekend than drinking a few cold beers, hanging out with a few of your closest friends, and rocking out to some killer live music? Well, that’s exactly what happened on Saturday night as Shinedown’s Planet Zero World Tour dropped into the Honda Center and literally “Cut The Cord” in front of thousands of their closest fans. Along with Jelly Roll, John Harvie, (and a few thick blunts), this show had all the fixings’ for one hell of a party in Anaheim, CA. From my vantage point, this was a pure and simple rock ’n’ roll revival—584 days in the making.
For those who know me, there’s no surprise that I’m a huge fan of live music. Metal, rap, rock, I love it all. And when one gets the opportunity to cover a show that combines many of the genres I love into one incredible bill, I am down times 100. On Saturday night, the stars aligned in Anaheim as Shinedown, Jelly Roll, and John Harvie combined forces for one incredible night of music mayhem. This 3+hour show had me on the edge of my seat from the opening salvo of John Harvie’s “A Little Bit Longer” to Shinedown’s final curtain call, “Sound of Madness.” Let’s dig in, shall we?
Up first on Saturday night was Nashville native John Harvie. While I’ll admit I’ve heard very little from this up and coming singer / songwriter, it was easy to understand why Shinedown added Harvie to this lineup. From the opening notes of “A Little Bit Longer,” it was clear that this set was going to be special and not just “filler’” prior to the main event. Throughout Harvie’s 8-song set, he immediately captivated the general admission pit with tracks like “Haunt Me,” “My Name (In Your Mouth),” and one of the only songs I had heard previously, “Beauty in the Bad Things.” There was a connection with the fans that very few new artists are able to make, and I am excited to see where that bond leads Harvie on his journey.
Next up was another product from the 615, Jelly Roll. Now, if you don’t know who Jelly is, you may have spent way too much time in quarantine over the past few years. Jelly Roll’s sound is a unique and one of a kind. Whether you are into rock, rap, or country, Jelly Roll combines it all into one incredible set that captures you from the first note and fails to let go. Saturday’s 11-song set was definitely inspiring and included “The Hate Goes On,” “Son of a Sinner,” and arguably his most popular track, “Save Me.” However, my favorite of the night was “Creature,” a song originally teaming Jelly with Tech N9ne and Krizz Kaliko. My goodness—Jelly’s set was tight and one that left me wanting more.
After a brief intermission, lights finally dimmed and a brief 2-minute video “reintroduced” Shinedown to Anaheim and well, Planet Zero. Off their aforementioned album, “The Saints of Violence and Innuendo” launched the show into immediate hyperdrive for nearly two full hours. Rockn’ and rollin’ since 2001, Shinedown put on a clinic for their faithful that spanned their seven studio albums and then some. With Brent Smith on vocals, Barry Kerch on drums, Zach Myers on guitar, and Eric Bass on bass, this killer quartet crushed their 18-song set.
Whether you are a lifelong Shinedown fan or were just turned onto them recently, there was something for everyone. Fan favorites included “45,” “Cut the Cord,” and “Monster,” while I gravitated towards “Devil,” “Second Chance,” and their encore, “Sound of Madness.” I’ll keep holding out that one day I’ll get to hear “Call Me” live, but that has yet to happen for me on the last few tours. A boy can dream, can’t he?
JOHN HARVIE
JELLY ROLL
SHINEDOWN
