Shinedown’s Brent & Zach Mix Heart and Humour in an Intimate Set at Islington Assembly Hall

On June 17th, 2025 Smith & Myers, the acoustic alter ego of Shinedown’s Brent Smith and Zach Myers, offered UK fans a rare and refreshing glimpse into a different side of the powerhouse rock band, a first on our shores! Stripped back, humorous, and emotionally resonant, the show gave long-time fans a chance to connect with Brent and Zach in a way few Shinedown gigs can allow.

The atmosphere was carefully set from the beginning, as pink and blue lights danced through the haze of stage smoke, building an eerie calm. That calm was shattered by a roar of excitement as Brent and Zach stepped on stage to a thunderous cheer, immediately warming the room with banter and trivia, an element of the show from start to finish. This banter also included a nod to their first UK headliner back in 2009 at this very venue. Hard to imagine given they now fill stadium sized venues with ease!

They kicked off the evening with a surprise, a soulful cover of The Zutons “Valerie” that saw the crowd singing along whilst the stage bathed in warm orange and red hues. The tone was quickly set, and it became apparent to all, this wasn’t a typical Shinedown set, this was something far more personal.

The duo’s acoustic rendition of “Bully” brought a new emotional dimension to the track, replacing fast paced intensity with spatial melodic ambiance, allowing the weight of the lyrics to settle in. Brent later shared a touching story about the creation of “If You Only Knew”, inspired by the news he was going to be a father, a moment met with respectful cheer and admiration from the crowd.

Throughout the night, the pair’s chemistry and humour flowed freely, with Zach’s story of being underwhelmed by Abbey Road and his inner monologue sounding like a Gallagher brother, or, as Brent countered, Stewie Griffin, drawing plenty of laughs. Zach’s quip, “I wrote this one for the guys in the balcony, it’s called, “Get Up,” was classic tongue-in-cheek, while the crowd responded with affectionate appreciation.

Jokes continued even as the temperature in the venue to rise, leading to chants of “take it off”! and some hilarious HR-related commentary from Brent. The set moved seamlessly between laughter and sincerity, with a debut UK performance of “Misfits” shifting the tone to a more ambient blue-and-white palette, and “Never Gonna Let Go” briefly derailing due to a chord misstep, only to become another crowd-pleasing moment of levity.

One of the evening’s most poignant segments came when Brent addressed the subject of death and memory, asking the audience to close their eyes and reflect before performing “Three Six Five”. It was a heartfelt pause in a night full of energy and expression.

The emotional peak may have come during “Symptoms of Being Human”, as Brent asked the audience to light up the venue with their phone lights. The result? A sea of glowing stars, a breathtaking, communal moment that shimmered in the darkness. Whilst this is a gimmick that can make an appearance at almost any gig, it is an experience that never seems to get old!

Zach took several solo spots too, including lead vocals on Bryan Adams’ “Heaven,” during which Zach left the stage, immersing himself within the crowd, and an incredibly moving rendition of Robbie Williams’ “Angels”, during which he invited the audience to take over and sing a cappella. His love for UK crowds was unmistakable, and cemented when he revealed he’d rather fly to Britain to see Oasis than catch them in the States.

As the disco ball sparkled overhead, the duo performed the unofficial British national anthem, Oasis’s “Don’t Look Back in Anger” whilst fans sang the final chorus together, it was a perfect fusion of artist and audience.

Bringing the crowd to their feet for “45”, Brent led a tribal, stomping, clapping session under flashing lights and thick stage smoke. The energy didn’t let up with explosive renditions of “Bad at Love,” “Sound of Madness,” Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Simple Man,” and the rousing closer “Second Chance.”

This was a show built not on pyrotechnics or over-the-top stage production, but on authenticity, intimacy, and a genuine connection with fans. For Shinedown devotees, it was a golden opportunity to see Brent and Zach in a different light, funnier, more vulnerable, and more connected than ever before. It truly was a night to remember.

Set List:

1. Valerie (The Zutons cover)
2. Bully
3. If You Only Knew
4. Atlas Falls
5. Misfits
6. Never Gonna Let Go (First time since 2020)
7. Cut the Cord
8. Someone Like You (Adele cover)
9. Three Six Five
10. Brilliant (First time since 2019)
11. Never Tear Us Apart (INXS cover)
12. Heaven (Bryan Adams cover)
13. Angels (Robbie Williams cover)
14. Don’t Look Back in Anger (Oasis cover)
15. A Symptom of Being Human
16. 45
17. Bad at Love
18. Sound of Madness
19. Simple Man (Lynyrd Skynyrd cover)
20. Second Chance