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

The All-American Rejects kick off a new era at Parx Casino in Bensalem

By Matt Christine • April 1, 2025
On March 29, The All-American Rejects brought a whirlwind of nostalgia, energy, and surprise to the Xcite Center at Parx Casino in Bensalem, Pennsylvania. With the crowd already buzzing, the band made their entrance to the iconic "Gonna Fly Now" from Rocky, setting the tone for a night that would blend theatrical flair with heartfelt musicianship. Tyson Ritter and crew wasted no time launching into “Dirty Little Secret,” immediately turning the venue into a singalong haven for fans of all ages. The evening’s setlist was a well-balanced mix of crowd favorites and deep cuts, keeping both longtime fans and newer listeners on their toes. From upbeat anthems like “Fallin’ Apart” and “Beekeeper’s Daughter” to early classics like “My Paper Heart,” the band showcased their full range. But one of the night’s most emotional moments came from an unexpected fan request: an acoustic, acapella performance of “Heartbeat Slowing Down.” Tyson delivered the first verse and chorus with just his voice and a dim spotlight—his first time performing the song live since 2013. The crowd, stunned into silence, erupted with cheers at the final note. Throughout the show, Tyson Ritter kept the mood light with his signature irreverent humor. He poked fun at the convention center-style room, joking, about what other events were hosted in the room including a furry convention before launching into a riff about Parx Casino’s not-so-subtle encouragement to gamble. “They want you to leave this show... and immediately hit the slots. Don’t let them down!” he quipped, drawing laughs from every corner of the venue. That excitement rolled perfectly into a performance of their brand-new single “Sandbox,” which blended the band’s classic melodic hooks with a fresh, heavier indie-pop edge that had fans filming the moment for social media. One particularly fun surprise came when Tyson improvised a short, comedic song inspired by fans in the front row called “Chrysanthemum.” The details of this moment will be left behind lock and key for anyone not at the concert but just know it was one of the most obscene moments of the set and was a perfect way for the band to launch into "Sweat" after the moment wrapped up. The band also took time to acknowledge their recent appearance at Jonas Con, where they teased their upcoming role as special guests on the Jonas Brothers’ 20th Anniversary Summer Tour. The crowd cheered at the announcement, and Tyson grinned, saying, “We’ve officially joined the Jonas extended universe.” As the show neared its finale, The All-American Rejects rolled out a trifecta of hits—“Swing, Swing,” “It Ends Tonight,” and “Move Along”—each met with raucous applause and heartfelt singalongs. The encore, naturally, closed with “Gives You Hell,” sending the audience out into the casino with their voices hoarse and spirits high. Fans could be heard raving as they exited, calling it “everything I could have hoped for” and praising both the band and the intimate, high-energy setting. In the end, The All-American Rejects proved that they’re far from just a nostalgia act. With clever banter, emotional surprises, a killer setlist, and a brand-new single to boot, their performance at Parx Casino was a reminder that great bands don’t just survive the decades—they evolve, engage, and keep giving fans reasons to fall in love all over again.

Bishop Briggs hits Union Transfer for the "Tell Me Therapist I'm Fine" Tour

By Matt Christine • March 30, 2025
Bishop Briggs brought an electrifying storm to Philadelphia’s Union Transfer on the second-to-last stop of her “Tell My Therapist I’m Fine” tour—and if the title wasn’t already dripping in irony, her explosive set made it perfectly clear. Kicking off with “My Serotonin,” she transformed the venue into a cathartic dance party-meets-emotional bootcamp. It felt less like a concert and more like cracking open someone’s diary set to a thunderous bassline. From the jump, Briggs’ stage presence was nothing short of kinetic. She didn’t just command the stage—she treated it like an Olympic track, sprinting, leaping, and tearing across every corner without missing a note. During “Dark Side,” her energy swelled with the song’s intensity, delivering a performance that was equal parts spiritual purge and high-voltage rock ritual. “Woman Is King” arrived like a crown drop. Her voice soared, the crowd erupted, and in that moment, the track became less of a song and more of a statement—powerful, fearless, and unapologetically loud. It was the kind of performance that made you want to run through a wall or at least buy a leather jacket. The new single generated one of the best reactions from the crowd all night long and Briggs flashed more than one of her signature smiles from on stage during the emotional performance of the new track. Briggs didn’t just play a show—she led an emotional endurance test across 20 songs, and Philadelphia was more than willing to sweat it out with her from start to finish in this historic venue. If this was her version of therapy, then the rest of us were gladly booked in as co-patients.

Spencer Sutherland brings the "DRAMA" to Philadelphia at the Foundry

By Matt Christine • March 24, 2025
Spencer Sutherland lit up The Foundry in Philadelphia on March 20 with a headlining set that blended pop, soul, and showmanship in all the right ways. From the moment he hit the stage, his charisma was undeniable—commanding the crowd with powerful vocals and effortless swagger. Fans sang every word back to him, creating a room-wide chorus that felt more like a celebration than a concert. With emotional ballads, high-energy bangers, and a few unexpected twists, Sutherland proved he's not just riding momentum—he’s building a movement.