Mental Health Rocks

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.