LIVE: SMITH & MYERS – October 17, 2020

Photo credit: Todd Jolicoeur – Toddstar Photography

Venue: Crofoot Festival Grounds

City: Pontiac, MI

Date: October 17, 2020

Review and Photographs by: Todd “Toddstar” Jolicoeur (www.toddstarphotography.com)

Let’s be honest… after more than seven months without a concert, I would have gone to see just about anyone to get back in a photo pit and enjoy the atmosphere of a live show.  Luckily, I was treated to a killer show from two bands doing unplugged pieces.  Smith & Myers – one-half of the band Shinedown – have been doing acoustic covers and this year pulled together more covers, but also an albums worth of original material (spread over two releases aptly titled Volume I and Volume II and mixed them with covers and released them two weeks apart.  Right in the middle of that, they appeared at a drive-in concert in Pontiac, MI to support the releases and play some great music for fans and to hang out (socially distanced) with some of their Michigan friends.  The show opened with another acoustic half… Mack & Moore from the Memphis supergroup Allen Mack Myers Moore.  They played about 30 minutes and warmed the crowd up appropriately for what was to come.  The vibe of the crowd reflected their enjoyment of the set and fed off the energy coming from the stage.

Photo credit: Todd Jolicoeur – Toddstar Photography

After a slight delay between bands, Brent Smith & Zach Myers appeared and it was fun, exciting, and thrilling, and new all at the same time.  The banter between the duo and their feeding off the crowd was fun to witness and demonstrated how they have missed this as much as we have.  There were Ed Sheeran jokes, technical issues, and a lot of great music — which resulted in a LONG OVERDUE killer evening had by all.  Having been able toi digest the new material, I was thrilled to hear “Coast to Coast,” a Smith & Myers original – kick the show off.  There was plenty of Shinedown featured in the set, but the real magic happened when the pair played originals or put their spin on classic we all know and love.  There were some fan favorites from the SD catalog that hit the set, along with some deeper cuts that don’t get to see the light of day often – “Never Gonna Let Go,” new track (and fundraiser) “Atlas Falls,” and “Shed Some Light” were high moments from the often not played tunes, while hits and fan favorites like “Cut the Cord” and megahits “Second Chance” and set closer “Sound Of Madness,” with other tossed in as the night progressed.  Like I said, the originals were magical and my personal favorite part of the evening… “Bad at Love” is a great song that is perfect in an acoustic setting, as it highlights Myers guitar work, Smith’s vocals, and the dynamic between the two.  Another new track that takes a look at the current state of affairs got its Michigan debut tonight when the pair played “Not Mad Enough.”  There were covers from their various releases, including the two new discs, and one cover they typically play while on tour with Shinedown.  Some of the fun covers they played through during the brisk Saturday evening were Soul Asylum’s “Runaway Train,” INXS’ “Never Tear Us Apart,” and the one-two punch of Alice In Chains “Nutshell” followed by Pearl Jam’s “Black.”  The appearance of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Simple Man” in the set was a little surprising with other killer covers available, but why mess with perfection – they have got this one down to a science.  Sure, there were no explosions, flash pods, laser lights effects, or bombastic rock sounds cranking up the decibels… but there was great music and a killer performance from two artists that love doing what they do — sharing it with those who love hearing it.  Make no mistake, tonight was as much about the event as it was the music and Smith & Myers rose to the occasion on both levels, bringing their A game to Pontiac.  Well done and THANK YOU!

Photo credit: Todd Jolicoeur – Toddstar Photography

Smith & Myers Setlist: Coast to Coast – Never Gonna Let Go – Runaway Train – Atlas Falls – Cut the Cord – Bad at Love – Never Tear Us Apart – Shed Some Light – Nutshell – Black – Call Me – State of My Head – Get Up – Second Chance – Not Mad Enough – In the Air Tonight – Little Red Corvette – Night Moves – Simple Man – Rockin’ in the Free World – Sound of Madness

FULL SET OF SMITH & MYERS SHOW PHOTOS HERE

[Show as slideshow]

SMITH & MYERS LINKS:

OFFICIAL SITE

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

TOUR DATES

FULL SET OF MACK & MOORE SHOW PHOTOS HERE

[Show as slideshow]

ALLEN MACK MYERS MOORE LINKS:

OFFICIAL SITE

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

Tags: featured

Category: Live Reviews