Smith & Myers of Shinedown return to New Jersey for Intimate Acoustic Performance

December 12, 2021

Brent Smith and Zach Myers, touring under the branding of Smith & Myers, hit the road once again this winter bringing their unique stripped down live performances to fans across the country including a recent performance at the iconic Starland Ballroom in New Jersey.

For those who aren't aware - Smith & Myers are better known as one half (vocalist and guitarist) of the critically acclaimed and massively popular rock band Shinedown. Shinedown is widely regarded as one of the best touring acts in contemporary rock for their combination of impressive stage production backed by the incredible talent of each member as well. The band has found critical success for the past the past two decades now during which Shinedown has sold more than ten million records worldwide and in 2020 claimed the title of most number one singles on the Billboard Mainstream Rock charts out of any band, with 16.


Smith & Myers are no strangers to the intimate stage of the Starland Ballroom as one of their first shows with this stripped down acoustic project of theirs was in New Jersey years back now. While creating the setlist Zach Myers went on to explain early in the night that they worked hard to find 12 songs to include that they had never played at the venue before. With 6 albums of Shinedown material, original content and covers Smith & Myers had no shortage of material to choose from for their 20 song setlist.

Smith & Myers hit the stage just before 9PM at the Starland Ballroom and were greeted to a thunderous road of applause from the crowd as the duo quickly dove into back to back to back performances of "Coast to Coast," "Bad Guy" and "Panic" off their recent double album release. Smith & Myers weren't shy about playing some of their own original material including their hit single "Bad at Love" but also constructed a well mixed setlist of Shinedown hits, deep cuts, and a few covers along the way. Fans were elated to hear a rare song off 'Amaryllis" as Smith & Myers treated the crowd to a stunning rendition of "Through the Ghost" late in the set. While the majority of their songs with Shinedown translated well into an acoustic setting with the crowd lending a hand on choruses, few were as stunning as "Monsters" as it shifted from a rock anthem to a haunting new song.


Across 20 songs Smith & Myers showed the true reason Shinedown has been so successful for the past two decades – their mastership of craft. While the duo kept the mood light through out during the evening as he joking between songs when it came to performing each track was delivered flawlessly on a technical and artistic level. This comes as no surprise as contemporary rock fans have widely called Brent Smith; the best live vocalist' in rock and his powerful vocals were even more impressive when coupled with the stripped down playing that Zach Myers provided on his guitar for the night. Smith & Myers annual tour is always something that fans look forward too and hopefully the duo continues to do it as Shinedown continues to grow bigger with each passing year.

Article Written By:

Matt Christine

Trivium and Jinjer bring the 'Ascend Above The Ashes Tour' to Lancaster

By Matt Christine • November 14, 2025
Trivium is back on the road in 2025 — and this time, they’ve brought Jinjer along for a blistering run across the U.S. on the “Ascend Above The Ashes Tour.” Over the last four years, the rock and metal world has seen a wild expansion of dream-team co-headlining and powerful support on tours, the kind fans never thought they’d see outside of wish lists. Rising metal powerhouse Jinjer has been in the international spotlight ever since they were forced to exit Slipknot’s 2022 tour to return home and support Ukraine’s war efforts. In the years since, they’ve become global ambassadors for both their country and the metal community. And even as the supporting act on this tour, the band was greeted by a massive turnout and a stage setup that matched their well-earned status in the scene. Their addition on this tour with Trivium was a match made in heaven (or hell) and a perfect compliment sonically. The band's 9 song setlist got the mosh pit moving and crowd surfers flowing ahead of the main event that evening. It may have been a Wednesday night , but you wouldn’t have known it based on the crowd’s energy leading up to Trivium’s 9:50 p.m. arrival. Pennsylvania showed once again why it has a reputation as one of the weirdest and yet strongest markets in the country for rock and metal. When the band’s massive stage slowly illuminated to reveal a dramatic backdrop, Trivium launched into their set with explosive force as strobes burst to blinding effects all around them. Trivium's 14 song set was a blistering pace of their greatest hits and new material that left little time for the band to chat with the crowd as they moved quickly from song to song. Frontman Matt Heafy nearly blended into the elaborate backdrop thanks to a jacket patterned almost identically, but he was impossible to miss as he tore across the stage from mic to mic, shredding through one technical assault after another. Much like Jinjer’s opening performance, Trivium delivered a razor-sharp, 80-minute set that pulled from across their expansive catalog. From the first crushing riff to the final crack of the snare, they gave Lancaster everything they had — and the packed pit gave it right back. Opening nights can often feel unpredictable, but Lancaster showed up ready, proving once again that this city doesn’t just attend shows — it sets the bar. If the rest of the “Ascend Above Ashes Tour” follows this lead, Trivium and Jinjer are in for one unforgettable run.

Taylor Acorn returns home to Pennsylvania at the Archer Music Hall

By Matt Christine • November 12, 2025
Taylor Acorn’s return to Pennsylvania to the Arrow at the Archer Music Hall in Allentown was a homecoming a long time coming after a massive year of touring and festival appearances. Just a few weeks after performing at the When We Were Young Festival in Las Vegas - and fresh off wrapping The Summer School Tour - Taylor Acorn returned to Pennsylvania with clear momentum behind her. Touring in support of her newly released LP, she arrived at The Arrow at the Archer in Allentown with a setlist shaped around this new chapter of her sound. The fresh material wasn’t just sprinkled into the night; it was the thread that held the entire show together. And while Acorn hasn’t forgotten her roots in the pop-punk world, it’s obvious that these newer songs give her a wider lane to move in and let her shine bright onstage. The Arrow itself proved to be an ideal setting. The room was full but comfortable, with that sweet spot where you can feel the crowd’s energy without fighting for space. Warm lighting and a clear sightline from almost anywhere in the venue helped create a sense of connection the moment Acorn stepped out. It didn’t take long for the entire place to settle into a rhythm—heads nodding, hands in the air, and plenty of voices shouting back the lines they knew. Between songs, Acorn kept the energy light and the banter genuine. She shared quick stories, poked fun at herself, and made it clear she appreciated being back in her home state. Nothing dragged, nothing felt overly rehearsed—it all stayed grounded in the good-natured vibe that filled the room. By the end of the night, The Arrow at the Archer felt less like a tour stop and more like a celebration of where Acorn is right now: an artist still rooted in the scene that raised her, but growing fast and sounding sharper than ever. The crowd felt it, the room carried it, and Acorn made sure everyone left buzzing. A strong show, a great space, and the kind of night that makes you want to catch her again before the tour moves on.

Kaleo bring the 'Mixed Emotions Tour' to from Iceland to Allentown

By Matt Christine • September 19, 2025
On September 16, 2025, Icelandic rockers KALEO brought their Mixed Emotions Tour to Allentown’s Archer Music Hall, with Quarters of Change and Júníus Meyvant on the bill.