Mental Health Rocks
Shinedown and Mental Health
Mental Health Rocks
We attended a powerful rock concert this weekend, April 30, 2023, in Minneapolis, MN, where proceeds from every ticket sold were donated to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Each of the three groups offered their take on the theme by speaking about the importance of recognizing and acknowledging mental health and performing their songs based on it. From depression to anxiety to suicide, and everything on the spectrum, the impacts upon society are huge. I attended the show fully expecting to be entertained, which I was, but I also came away with a deeper level of respect, and a desire to understand why the issue of mental health is such a strong motivator for them. It seems that they have felt the impacts of the issue greatly amongst family and friends.
Please remember – the world is a much better place with you in it. We are looking forward to donating $1 from every ticket sold during our upcoming tour (“The Revolutions Live”) to AFSP to help support this very important cause," says Shinedown front man Brent Smith.
Front man for Shinedown, Brent Smith
The show’s headliner was the group, Shinedown, whose entire tour this time around is dedicated to mental health awareness, and their show is magnificent! From the pyrotechnics to the Flying Piano, alongside their incredible musical presence, fully enhanced our experience.
Eric Bass plays the Flying Piano, which was lowered from the air hydraulically several times throughout the show.
My husband and I had originally witnessed Shinedown nearly twenty years ago, when they were essentially newcomers on the scene. It was one of our few dates before we actually got married. Shinedown was the first warm-up for the headliners, Three Doors Down, and followed by Tantric. We were standing in the line for refreshments, when we heard the booming voice come from the stage. We rushed back in to find the lead singer, whose presence seemed larger than life, wailing from atop a speaker. I tell ya, we were blown away, transfixed and speechless. And then, even more impressed when they stood out in a line at the end of the show to autograph CDs and speak with guests. We shook their hands, got our new Shinedown CD autographed and exchanged a few words. I didn’t realize the rarity of such behavior at the time, now unheard of as far as I know. They gained a couple of fans that day due to their music, but that gesture made us diehards.
I was slightly apprehensive about attending the current Shinedown concert, afraid that I would be disappointed after building them up to such a great height in my mind. I was blown away after hearing them again in person - I don’t think they could be any better.
The warm-up bands for them included Ashes to New, who are fresh and interesting with a Linkin Park vibe, and Three Days Grace, which have been around for quite awhile, but their show was also phenomenal! I’ve always liked the music of Three Days Grace, but didn’t know I was a huge fan. I really am! All three groups performed with great energy and stage presence. I was happy with all. Maybe it seems a little out of place to use their platform to convey the mental health message, but I actually found it added a dimension to the show. It gave even deeper meaning to the songs performed - old and new.
A set change - preparing the stage sets between groups.
*** We didn’t get a lot of stills during the concert, as we were more focused on just enjoying the experience. The few photographs I’ve included in this story, and the opening image, are credited to our friend, Heather Komerak.
About the Creator
KJ Aartila
A writer of words in northern WI with a small family and a large menagerie.
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Comments (12)
Mental health is such an important issue so many struggle with it. This was a great article the concert made me think I need to get back to one but life gets busy and it’s been a couple years since I’ve been to a show.
I enjoyed reading about your rock concert adventure and how you discovered Shinedown. Kudos to these rock bands for bringing awareness to such an important issue.
Sounds like it was a great time ❤️ Nice that they are trying to raise awareness about mental health ❤️
Rocking Life changers. So needed right now. Glad you went, enjoyed, and shared. 🥰
I'm so glad you had such a great time at the concert! Looks like it was so much fun 🤗❤️ To echo everyone's thoughts, it's so wonderful that it was for such an important cause on top of it! 🤗❤️
A friend of mine got to go see them too. It is definitely a cause they are diligent in supporting. As Heather said, win/win. Great article
There needs to be more people like them in the world! Such a great cause for music!
A concert for a good cause is always great. I am glad you went and enjoyed it ❤️
Nice Article 😉❤️💯
This sounded like a win-win-win experience!! Amazing music, a great cause, personal enjoyment. How wonderful that they donated that money and shed light onto such an important topic. Great review :)
To me, it doesn't seem strange at all for a concert such as this to be focused on mental health & AFSP. I'm guessing there were many in the crowd who either had or were currently experiencing suicidal thoughts, & even more who knew of someone living in very dark places. There is no place where people feel more alone than in a crowd, feeling invisible, as though no one knows you're there. I'm grateful for these bands, for this concert & tour, & for what you have written here.
Good review. Glad you enjoyed it