Long-running rock bands light up T-Mobile Center, pleasing eager KC fans
Rock bands Shinedown and Bush entertained more than 10,000 fans inside T-Mobile Center on Tuesday, July 29, turning up the heat even more than what fans waiting in line felt in the afternoon.
The multi-platinum, chart topping bands hit the road together as a part of Shinedown’s Dance, Kid, Dance Tour, named after the first single to an unnamed next album that lead singer Brent Smith said he hopes to release in March 2026.
They were joined by rising country singer Morgan Wade, who performed original songs like “Wilder Days,” and covers such as Radiohead’s “Creep” during her set to open the show.
Fans of all ages sang, danced, jumped, screamed and cheered all night long to the rock bands as they performed their biggest hits and newest material. Here’s what went down during the show.
Dance, Kid, Dance
It’s not unusual to see kids at rock concerts. What is unusual, however, is a kid making his entire family come to a show.
The Parra family was in full force in Kansas City, driving around 40 minutes south from Plattsburg to enjoy the show. Danny and Valeria Parra were here with their children Leah and Collin, along with Danny’s brother Mark, his wife Annie and their kids Elijah and Reece.
It marks 8-year-old Leah and 11-year-old Collin Parra’s first concerts ever, while it’s 10-year-old Reece Parra’s second time seeing Jacksonville, Florida-based Shinedown, after going with his parents to their 2024 show in Kansas City. Mark Parra said 7-year-old Elijah was upset that his big brother got to go without him, so now it’s his turn to watch the show.
Collin Parra brought a sign to the show that said “Dance, Kid, Dance,” which is what he, his sibling and his cousins were doing when Shinedown took the stage at 9:15 p.m. The band’s first song was that one, which set the tone for the band’s nearly two-hour show.
Shinedown lead singer Brent Smith took advantage of the stage setup, which featured a large base on one end of the arena and a walkway that split into three small standing areas, putting the band close to the fans in the general admission pit. Throughout the night, he pranced through each area as he showcased his vocal talents.
The kids wanted to hear the band perform songs like “Diamond Eyes (Boom-Lay Boom-Lay Boom),” “Cut The Cord” and “Monsters,” according to Danny Parra, and they got to hear all of those and more. He’s largely responsible for the children’s interest in the band, as he’s seen them perform at least six times.
“They listen to (Shinedown) even when we’re not listening to it, so they love it,” Danny Parra said.
They were one of many children spotted in the sea of 10,000 Tuesday. Smith plucked a sign from a fan that said it was their 17th birthday and invited the audience to sing “Happy Birthday,” to them, and many others were seen wearing oversized, newly purchased merchandise shirts.
“Kansas City forever, ladies and gentleman,” Smith said. “Thank you so much.”
Everything Zen
While Shinedown was the draw for Topeka’s Shannon Esopi, she was excited to watch Bush perform, too. The London-based rock band were one of the key players in the post-grunge genre, a softer tone compared to iconic bands like Nirvana and Pearl Jam in the mid-1990s.
The band first debuted in 1994 with their album “Sixteen Stone,” featuring popular songs “Glycerine,” “Everything Zen,” “Machinehead” and “Comedown,” all of which were played during the band’s hour on stage. They also sang songs from their latest album “I Beat Loneliness,” which released Friday, July 18.
During “Flowers On A Grave,” lead singer Gavin Rossdale took the opportunity to run through the crowd sitting the lower level of the arena while singing. The entire arena stood up in awe at 59-year-old singer’s speed as he went through row after row, hugging and high-fiving fans while not missing a beat
“We have been here many times,” Rossdale said. “It’s a very hot crowd.”
Earlier in the set, Rossdale jumped on the barricade and danced with fans in the pit during “The Land Of Milk And Honey,” one of the singles from Bush’s new album. The crowd matched the band’s energy throughout the entire set list.
“You guys are incredible,” Rossdale said. “We’re thankful to be able to play songs for you guys.”
It’s not goodbye, it’s just until next time
Esopi was in attendance with her former softball coach Robert Reed and friend Skylar Nolan, who she met at British R&B singer Ella Mai’s concert at The Granada in Lawrence in 2019. It was Reed’s idea to attend the show, since he won a lottery through Vet Tix, a military support organization that provides discounted tickets to current and former military members.
Esopi and Reed both live in Topeka, while Nolan currently lives in Kansas City. Esopi and Nolan wouldn’t be in attendance if Reed’s friend didn’t have to cancel at the last minute.
“I just hopped off of a plane two hours ago, and I was dropping off my stuff, and I was like, ‘Skylar, just come with us,’” Esopi said.
It ended up working out, as Nolan secured a ticket right behind Esopi and Reed. The show also marks the first time Esopi and Nolan are watching a show at T-Mobile Center. She doesn’t like to pay for the cost of tickets, but when she does, she prefers smaller venues like The Midland Theater.
She also wanted to hear “Cut The Cord,” and was a part of what Shinedown guitarist Zach Myers said was the “best Tuesday night crowd we’ve ever had.”
“If a crowd sucks, I’ll let them know,” Myers said. “Don’t worry, Kansas City. You don’t suck.”
The trio of friends were treated to covers of “Purple Rain” and “Simple Man,” in addition to an acoustic portion that changes on every stop of the tour. Shinedown has made numerous stops in Kansas City throughout their 20-year career, with Smith saying the city’s fans have been with him since day one.
After closing the show with three of the band’s biggest hits, “Monsters,” “Sound of Madness” and “Second Chance,” Smith had these parting words for the crowd as they left the arena:
“It’s not goodbye, it’s just until next time.”
