'The Revolution's Live Tour' hits Hershey with Shinedown, The Pretty Reckless and Diamante

April 19, 2022

Shinedown's return to Pennsylvania on their Spring 2022 headlining tour arrived just weeks after the band made history with "Planet Zero" becoming their 18th #1 single - further cementing their legacy as the greatest rock band of the generation.

Over the past decade Shinedown has consistently risen to the top of the rock charts and outshined their peers with each release the band puts out and subsequently on the tour supporting. Across this time period the band has sold over 10 million records, released over 20 singles that have all charted in the top 5 and as of 2022 made history as they pulled ahead of the pack to be ranked #1 by Billboard on the Greatest of All Time Mainstreams Rock Artists. Shinedown is currently back on the road on 'The Revolution's Live Tour' and celebrating the recent success that their single "Planet Zero" has brought them despite their upcoming album of the same name being delayed until July due to some production issues. This small delay hasn't impacted the tour as multiple dates, including their stop at the Giant Center in Hershey, were sold out on one of their biggest and most production tours to date in their career.


Joining Shinedown on 'The Revolution's Live Tour' were the established and increasingly popular special guest The Pretty Reckless helmed by Taylor Momsen and the relatively newcomer to the scene, Diamante. Both support artists shared and utilized the massive stage that Shinedown has constructed for this tour which gave them an incredible amount of production to work into their performance as well as usage of the massive thrust that cut the general admission crowd of the venue in half. Diamante was the first to take to the stage and did so with a flash as her diamond-esque jumpsuit burst to life with light as the spotlights illuminated her arrival in Hershey.

The 25 year old rocker is no stranger to the touring circuit and has built a strong reputation with her live performances early in her career after being on the road previously with Three Days Grace and more. Diamante's 7 song set gave the crowd a good taste of her style of rock n' roll and she had the crowd on the floor moving early with a few heavier tracks during the performance. Fans hit the concourse following her set in hopes to grab a selfie with her at the merch booth after the set and a good number of them picked up some swag while they were there as well as Diamante made new fans in Hershey that night. While it may be awhile before she return's to the Giant Center on her own as a headliner it is safe to say based on her performance that she's going to be continuing to make a name for herself in the rock world as she already has in just a few brief years.


Following a quick set change of seemingly less than 15 minutes; the massive stage was flooded with haze and dimly illuminate with purple lighting as The Pretty Reckless logo slowly faded onto the LED screens. The crowd's anticipation for the start of this support set was the first indication that the show that night Hershey was going to be a very special one for all of the band's on the tour. Taylor Momsen was greeted by the roar of thousands as The Pretty Reckless kicked their set off with stellar cover of Soundgarden's "Loud Love." A fitting tribute to the great Chris Cornell and a a respectful to the last chapter in the band's touring history as they were out on the road with Soundgarden when Cornell tragically passed.

Taylor Momsen is a veteran artist at this point when it comes to live performances and the stage set up on 'The Revolution's Live Tour' is among the biggest the band has ever performed on. The increased space gave Momsen a lot of real-estate to perform in and allowed her to command the crowd as the true front woman she is with a masterful performance. Through out the band's 10 song set Momsen made her way down the thrust constantly, slid across a large metal section in the middle and even crawled along the floor at one point all while delivering impressive vocal performances. Supporting her were the incredible bandmates she has shared the stage with in The Pretty Reckless for the last few years including guitarist Ben Phillips who laid down multiple flawless guitar riffs during the set.


Shinedown arrived to the stage shortly past 9PM and their massive stage production slowly began to flicker to life. Prior to the band's dramatic walk out the sold out arena was transported back to 2019 as a video played on their massive video wall showcasing the tail end of the 'Attention! Attention! Tour.' However that video, much like our lives following, was cut short as it ended 2020 and the pandemic began - from there things progressed until 2021 when the video (and the night) took a thematic turn. Cryptic alien symbols flashed on the screen, an AI appeared and the Giant Center was taken from 2022 and transported to "Planet Zero" as Shinedown emerged from behind their video wall and kicked the show with their new song "The Saints of Violence and Innuendo."

Through 19 songs Shinedown reminded the massive crowd exactly how they became the best and most important rock band of the century - their artistry. With their massive catalog of commercial singles, fan favorites and stellar deep cuts Shinedown has more material to craft a setlist from then any artist touring yet somehow they landed on a perfect mix for 'The Revolution's Live Tour.' Their record breaking single "Planet Zero" made in early appearance in the set as did a yet to be released track "Daylight" as the band focused heavily on the material that got them to the massive stage they are performing on today.


Brent Smith yet again delivered a masterful vocal performance across all songs but shined brightest on the heavy "Monsters" while pyro engulfed the stage around him - the soaring ballad of "Get Up" was a close second to this epic moment. Aside him Zach Myers continued to do what he does best and shred on guitar all night long, in addition to being the mastermind who designed their current tour production as was revealed later in the show. Eric Bass and Barry Kerch provided the crucial heavy backbone to the performance and when all combined fans were treated to the masterpiece of live performance that is a Shinedown concert. After 18 number one singles it has become clearer that we are living in an era of rock that may never be repeated and there is no doubt that Shinedown's fans have embraced as they gave the band all of their energy during the set.


With the proper release of the full length "Planet Zero" still on the horizon there is no doubt that Shinedown will continue to shatter the ceiling of the records they are setting as they truly exist on a planet of their own in rock n' roll. Pennsylvania fans were treated to a once in a lifetime performance at the Giant Center with this show and are lucky enough that the tour will circle back through Camden, New Jersey later this year on the second leg. Shinedown has proven they not only deserve the title of "best rock band of all time" but also that they aren't done yet as they have entered the most creative and innovate era of their legacy. Get ready - "Planet Zero" is coming up just around the corner.

Article Written By:

Matt Christine

Summer of Loud Turns the Historic York Fair Into a Full-Throttle Metal Mayhem

By Matt Christine • July 22, 2025
There are few tours as dynamic on the road this summer as The Summer of Loud tour and somehow this pyro heavy mega tour made it's way to the most unlikely stop in Pennsylvania as it touched down at the 260th Historic York Fair - a country fair mainstay that is more likely to have some country twang than a dozen mosh pits and crowd surfers. As America’s oldest fair, dating back to 1765, the York Fair has hosted everything from tractor pulls to livestock shows to fried Oreos. But this year? It became a coliseum of breakdowns, blast beats, and crowd roars thanks to the Summer of Loud Festival. The historic fairgrounds were transformed into a headbanger’s haven, echoing the legendary chaos of past Mayhem Fests. The rotating lineup of the tour was at full force, and for this stop, we were treated to Dark Divine, Alpha Wolf, The Devil Wears Prada, The Amity Affliction, I Prevail, Beartooth, Parkway Drive, and the mighty Killswitch Engage. Eight hours. No breaks. Just pure, relentless metalcore magic. However, for a festival of this magnitude, the York Fair security was absolutely not up to par. Fans were frequently dropped while crowd surfing, mosh pit safety was neglected, and response times to injured attendees were embarrassingly slow. Multiple crowd members complained about being shoved back into the pit after being pulled from it, visibly disoriented. It wasn’t just disappointing—it was dangerous. And some bands noticed… loudly. Kicking off the mayhem was Dark Divine, a fast-rising force in the world of theatrical metalcore. With a sound that blends haunting melodies, crushing breakdowns, and a visual aesthetic straight from a horror flick, these guys turned heads early on. Frontman Anthony Martinez prowled the stage with purpose, backed by a tight, atmospheric set that included fan favorites like “Deadly Fun” and “Halloweentown.” For a band still on the rise, they played like seasoned vets—and set the tone for a day of pure chaos. Then came the Aussies in Alpha Wolf, and with them came an avalanche of sound. “Akudama” was a war cry that blew the roof off the barn—figuratively, of course. “Creep” was a brutal wall of noise that had the pit convulsing. Lochie Keogh looked like a man possessed, pacing the stage like he was ready to pounce. Their set was raw, hostile, and unforgettable. The Devil Wears Prada hit the York stage with a blend of metalcore muscle and emotional weight. Mike Hranica’s intensity was unmatched—every scream felt like a release. Their tribute to the late Dave Shapiro was heartfelt and beautiful, a rare moment of quiet in an otherwise relentless set as Shapiro's legacy loomed large over this tour as the Summer of Loud was one of his final tours booked/announced currently. Next up The Amity Affliction brought their signature blend of melody and brutality to the crowd, and the audience was here for it. Joel Birch wasn't slowed down at all by his broken ankle and had a sea of fans belting out the lyrics during “Like Love,” and his screams during “Pittsburgh” could be heard all the way across the fairgrounds near the deep-fried candy stand. I Prevail hit the stage with a non stop burst of pyro with “Bow Down” and kept the firestorm rolling through “Hurricane.” Their tribute to Dave Shapiro and their now-iconic cover of Taylor Swift’s “Blank Space” brought big crowd reactions as did their comical country fair face paint that they all had done before hitting the stage. Their set was bombastic, emotional, and perfectly executed. And then there was Beartooth. From the first scream, Caleb Shomo was a man on fire—but not just from the music. Throughout the entire set, he repeatedly called out security for dropping fans, ignoring crowd injuries, and failing to control the barricade area. “Do your job and catch people!” he shouted mid-song, his voice frustrated with anger and at a guard who clearly snarked back at him in the barricade. The security's short comings didn't prevent Shomo and Beartooth from delivering the best set of the day but it was certainly a frustrating undertone during their performance. Things got so tense that by the end of their set, crew members had to hold Caleb back as he stormed the edge of the stage, visibly furious about how fans were being handled. It was clear: this was more than just a show for him—it was a mission to protect his people. And while his performance was, as always, tight and passionate, it was the rage that left the biggest mark. What better way to follow that intensity than with the godfathers of modern metalcore? Killswitch Engage were absolute professionals, blasting through “The End of Heartache” and “Holy Diver” with surgical precision. Jesse Leach remains a powerhouse of presence, spending as much time connecting with fans as he does belting out anthems. Finally, Parkway Drive lit up the York Fair like the 4th of July with the most theatrical, explosive set of the day. Winston McCall stalked the stage like a general in war, commanding the masses through “Glitch,” “Prey,” and “Crushed.” But the highlight? The spinning drum cage with pyrotechnics erupting like a volcanic finale. It wasn’t just a show—it was a spectacle. Parkway Drive are the kings of controlled chaos, and they reminded everyone why. The 260th York Fair just got a new page in its long history—one written in sweat, distortion, and cathartic screams. While security needs a major overhaul before next year, the music, the passion, and the unity of the fans made this a day for the history books. Let’s do it again next year—but maybe hire security that knows a mosh pit from a hay bale.

Jack's Mannequin return to Philadelphia for another SOLD OUT show

By Matt Christine • June 13, 2025
On June 8, Jack’s Mannequin swept into the Fillmore Philadelphia for the hometown stop of their Made For Each Other 20th-anniversary tour, turning the storied ballroom into a reunion between new Andrew McMahon fans from his solo era and the fans who grew up with his songs in Jack's Mannequin. A burst of lights and the band made their way to their places on set as the massive LED screens behind them flicked to life with the roar of the crowd—almost before the crowd could catch its breath—the band dove head-first into “Bruised,” instantly launching a full-room sing-along for the first time of the night. The family style sing-alongs would continue all night long because a Jack's Mannequin show is more than just a concert, it's a gathering of fans of all walks of life. Rather than lean solely on radio favorites, McMahon built a career-spanning arc that kept veterans and newcomers guessing. Early standouts “The Mixed Tape” and “Amy, I” landed with arena-sized fervor, while deeper cuts like “Spinning,” “Television,” and the introspective “Cell Phone” offered welcome detours for die-hard listeners. Mid-show, the tempo dropped for a surprise, lights-down, almost-whispered rendition of “Hammers and Strings (A Lullaby)”—performed nearly a cappella, save for a few plaintive piano chords. It was McMahon’s first time revisiting the lullaby in years, and the silence that followed its last note spoke louder than any applause. The final stretch was a one-two-three knockout: “I’m Ready,” “The Resolution,” and the soaring “Dark Blue,” each chorus louder than the last. After a brief exit, the band returned beneath a single spotlight for the encore. McMahon tipped his cap to the tour’s namesake, easing into the gentle “Restless Dream” before the full ensemble erupted into the sprawling suite “MFEO: Pt. 1 — Made For Each Other / Pt. 2 — You Can Breathe,” turning the title track into a communal vow to keep moving forward together. Twenty years on, Andrew McMahon and company showed how to honor a past without getting trapped in it: by laughing at the room you’re in, risking a fragile ballad in the middle of the party, and playing every song like it still belongs to today.

Shakira brings the 'Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour' to Atlanta

By Matt Christine • June 4, 2025
After a rocky start to her U.S. leg, with technical issues forcing the postponement of both the Washington, D.C. and Boston dates, Shakira delivered an electrifying, glitch-free performance in Atlanta that more than made up for the delays. The sold-out show at State Farm Arena proved why the Colombian superstar remains a force in global pop music: it was a spectacle of raw emotion, razor-sharp choreography, and dazzling stagecraft. Every moment felt polished and purposeful, yet deeply personal, a balance only a veteran performer like Shakira can pull off. The night opened with La Fuerte, a powerful declaration of intent that set the tone: this tour is about resilience, evolution, and feminine power. With minimal delay, she launched into a fierce rendition of GIRL LIKE ME, originally with the Black Eyed Peas, injecting it with her signature moves and vocal style. The audience, many of whom were adorned with glittering wolf ears and flashing LED bracelets, responded instantly, roaring as she transitioned into a nostalgic medley of Las de la intuición and Estoy aquí. It was a clever juxtaposition—early-career Shakira meeting her modern self, both artists occupying the stage in harmony. One of the most emotionally potent sequences came with Empire blending into Inevitable, where her vocals took on an operatic, almost volcanic intensity. The screen behind her exploded with elemental visuals—lava flows, crashing waves—mirroring the emotional crescendo on stage. This wasn’t just a concert; it was a catharsis. Later, Acróstico offered a softer moment, featuring a touching video of her children Sasha and Milan singing along, which visibly moved many in the crowd. You could hear a pin drop as Shakira sat on a stool, wiping away tears mid-performance. In terms of showmanship, the middle of the setlist was where Shakira proved her mettle. Copa Vacía, La Bicicleta, and La Tortura formed a seamless trinity of reggaeton and cumbia-infused pop, each song melting into the next with smooth transitions and high-energy dance breaks. She momentarily disappeared backstage during Chantaje, only to reemerge in a vibrant new costume and launch into a salsa version of the hit that transformed the entire arena into a nightclub. By the time she reached Whenever, Wherever, complete with a dramatic belly dance introduction using knives, Shakira had the entire arena in the palm of her hand. Her hips truly didn’t lie, and neither did the crowd, erupting into a thunderous sing-along. That energy spilled right into Waka Waka (This Time for Africa), which featured a thrilling Champeta breakdown and pulsating rhythms that was the infectious anthem of the 2010 World Cup. Shakira left the stage like a mythic figure—part woman, part legend—having proven once again that she isn’t just a performer. She’s a storyteller, a mother, a rebel, and above all, a she-wolf with a story still very much in motion.