Shinedown Turns a Monday Night into Something Much Bigger Than a Concert
July 20, 2026
SNHU Arena
Manchester, New Hampshire
A Night That Started with Energy
Sometimes you walk into an arena expecting a great rock show. Sometimes you leave having experienced something you’ll never forget.
That was the feeling inside SNHU Arena Monday night as nearly every seat filled with fans ready for Shinedown’s Dance, Kid, Dance Tour. Before the headliners took the stage, From Ashes to New delivered a high energy set that immediately connected with the crowd. Their performance warmed up the multi level stage and set the tone for what would become an unforgettable evening. Coheed and Cambria joined the stage for their epic set generating an even hotter atmosphere as the fans anticipated the night ahead.
Shinedown Takes Control
When Shinedown finally took the stage, they didn’t simply perform, they completely blew away the filled arena. For two hours, the band delivered an explosive performance that never lost momentum. The audience sang every word, celebrated every guitar solo, and listened closely as frontman Brent Smith paused between songs to share stories that were every bit as powerful as the music itself.
One of the evening’s highlights came during their moving performance of “Simple Man.” Dedicated to the memories of Chris Cornell and Chester Bennington, it became far more than a cover song. Thousands of voices filled the arena, creating one of the most emotional moments of the night.
Music with a Purpose
Beyond the spectacular lighting and musicianship, the disco balls and fans…what impressed me most was the “heart” of Shinedown. Shinedown is currently touring without bassist Eric Bass, who stepped away from the road to focus on his mental health. Rather than avoiding the subject, the band continues to encourage conversations about mental wellness while supporting organizations that make a difference.
This year’s tour is also donating one dollar from every ticket sold to City of Hope, helping fund research and treatment in the fight against cancer. Those messages weren’t delivered as announcements. They were woven naturally into the evening, reminding everyone that music has the power to do much more than entertain.
Looking Around the Room
There were several moments during the show when I stopped photographing and simply looked around. Thousands of fans were singing together. Complete strangers stood shoulder to shoulder. The lighting danced across the arena while voices echoed from every section. It was one of the most beautiful concert environments I’ve experienced.
As photographers, we’re trained to look for moments. Monday night, the moment wasn’t just on the stage. It was everywhere. It was in the crowd.
Why Live Music Matters
Before the show, another photographer told me, “Stay until the end. Shinedown always puts on a killer show.” She was right. By the final song, Monday night no longer felt like the beginning of a work week. It felt like a Saturday night celebration filled with hope, gratitude, community, and music that genuinely made people feel something.
We are incredibly fortunate that artists like Shinedown continue to bring tours like this to New Hampshire. In a world that often feels divided, they reminded us of something simple. Music still has the power to bring people together. And for a few unforgettable hours inside SNHU Arena, that’s exactly what it did.
See Shinedown on tour – https://www.shinedown.com/
Review: Bonnie M. for WSCA FM, Portsmouth Community Radio
Instagram: @bonniesmixtapemedia
Tiktok: @photographybybonnie
Setlists & Snapshots: Super Summer Tour 2026
Dierks Bentley Brings Country Music, Community, and a Few Surprises to BankNH Pavilion
July 9, 2026
Gilford, New Hampshire
A Summer Night Worth Staying Up For
There are artists who put on a concert, and then there are artists who create an experience. After seeing Dierks Bentley four times over the past three years, I’ve learned that every time he comes to New Hampshire, you know you’re in for a fun night filled with great music, plenty of laughs, and a few surprises you never saw coming.
On Thursday, July 9, fans packed BankNH Pavilion for another memorable stop on Bentley’s 2026 tour. As the sun slowly disappeared and the lawn continued to fill, the charming Kaitlin Butts warmed up the stage before Grammy Award-winning bluegrass legend Ricky Skaggs and his incredibly talented six-piece band joined.
Ricky Skaggs Sets the Tone
Their traditional bluegrass sound was the perfect way to begin a summer concert. Skaggs and his band showcased dazzling musicianship, including a guitarist who effortlessly doubled on drums. The early crowd quickly settled into the evening, enjoying songs like “Highway 40 Blues” while waiting for Bentley to take the stage.
Dierks Bentley Delivers
When Dierks Bentley finally appeared, the energy shifted into another gear.
Opening with “I’ve Been Gone” and rolling into favorites like “5150,” “Gold,” “Somewhere on a Beach,” and “I Hold On,” he had fans on their feet for nearly the entire show. Looking around the pavilion, it felt like one giant singalong. Families, longtime fans, and first-time concertgoers all knew the words, creating the kind of atmosphere that has become a trademark of every Dierks Bentley performance.
A Band Built on Chemistry
One thing I’ve always appreciated about Bentley is the genuine respect he has for the musicians around him. His band continues to grow stronger every tour, and the chemistry between them is obvious. Bentley never hesitates to let them shine, often joking that they’re trying to steal his job. It’s all part of the easygoing personality that has made him one of country music’s most likeable performers.
A Night of Special Guests
The biggest surprise of the evening came when Bentley welcomed Ricky Skaggs back to the stage for a spirited performance of “Highway 40 Blues,” followed by a Waylon Jennings classic. Then, rising country artist Kaitlin Butts, who will soon join Ella Langley on tour, joined them for an unforgettable rendition of “Tulsa Time.”
Watching three generations of country musicians share one stage was one of those moments you simply can’t plan for, and the crowd loved every second of it.
More Than a Concert
That’s what makes a Dierks Bentley concert different. He doesn’t just showcase his own catalog. He celebrates country music. He shines a spotlight on artists who helped build the genre while introducing audiences to the next generation. His concerts feel less like a headlining performance and more like a family gathering where everyone is invited.
On a Thursday night, when many of us probably should have been home getting ready for work the next morning, Dierks Bentley reminded us exactly why staying out late is sometimes the best decision you can make. Great songs, incredible musicians, genuine laughter, and thousands of fans singing together under the New Hampshire sky made for another unforgettable evening.
Don’t Miss This Tour
If Dierks Bentley is headed to your town in 2026, don’t think twice. Grab your boots, bring your family, and prepare to sing all night long.
Review: Bonnie M. for WSCA FM, Portsmouth Community Radio
Instagram: @bonniesmixtapemedia
Tiktok: @photographybybonnie
Setlists & Snapshots: Super Summer Tour 2026
Earth, Wind & Fire and Lionel Richie Turn TD Garden into the Biggest Family Reunion of the Summer
July 8, 2026
Boston, Massachusetts
Some concerts entertain.
Others become memories you’ll carry for the rest of your life.
On a warm summer evening at Boston’s TD Garden, Earth, Wind & Fire and Lionel Richie didn’t simply perform decades of hit songs, they brought generations of fans together for what may be one of the most joyful concerts of 2026. It was a celebration of music, community, and the timeless songs that have become the soundtrack to our lives.
Earth, Wind & Fire Set the Stage on Fire
If you think a band celebrating more than five decades of music slows down, think again.
Earth, Wind & Fire exploded onto the stage with an 11-piece band that was as tight as it was energetic. Twin drummers drove the rhythm from the backline while the percussionists commanded the front of the stage, creating the unmistakable groove that has defined the band’s sound for generations.
From “Shining Star” and “Sing a Song” to “Reasons,” “After the Love Has Gone,” “Boogie Wonderland,” and the show-closing “September,” the hits just kept coming. Towering vocals, dazzling sequined stagewear, soaring guitar solos, and flawless musicianship reminded everyone why Earth, Wind & Fire remains one of the greatest live bands in music history.
One of my favorite moments wasn’t on stage at all.
It was watching fans in their twenties dancing alongside parents and grandparents, every generation singing every word together. Music has an incredible way of erasing age, and for one unforgettable hour, TD Garden became one giant dance floor.
Original members Ralph Johnson and Verdine White continue to anchor the band’s unmistakable sound, while Philip Bailey’s son has stepped into the family legacy with percussion and vocals, helping bridge the band’s remarkable history with its future.
Lionel Richie Reminds Us Why He’s a Legend
When the lights dimmed for Lionel Richie, the excitement somehow grew even louder.
Walking onstage in his signature black outfit topped with a bright yellow leather jacket, Richie looked every bit the superstar he has been for decades. At 77 years old, he remains one of the most charismatic performers in music, effortlessly balancing humor, storytelling, and one unforgettable song after another.
From “Hello” and “Stuck on You” to “Easy,” “Sail On,” “Three Times a Lady,” “Dancing on the Ceiling,” and “Brick House,” every song felt like opening another chapter of our own lives.
These weren’t simply hit records. They were memories.
The soundtrack to first loves, weddings, heartbreaks, road trips, family celebrations, and nights spent dancing with friends.
Music That Connects Us
One of the evening’s most emotional moments came during Richie’s moving performance of “Lady,” accompanied by footage of Kenny Rogers. The duet, recreated through archival video, reminded the audience just how powerful music can be. There wasn’t a dry eye in my section of the arena.
Minutes later, Richie had the entire building dancing again.
That emotional swing, from tears to laughter to celebration, is something only the greatest entertainers can accomplish.
Throughout the night, Richie spoke about community, togetherness, and family. Looking around TD Garden, it was impossible not to notice exactly that. Grandparents brought grandchildren. Parents introduced their children to the music they grew up with. Friends reunited over songs they had loved for decades.
For a few hours, thousands of strangers became one giant family reunion.
Don’t Miss This Tour
I’ve photographed and reviewed hundreds of concerts over the years, and this one stands among the very best.
The production is world-class. The musicianship is flawless. The performances are authentic, heartfelt, and incredibly fun. Most importantly, these songs still matter.
They remind us where we’ve been, who we’ve loved, and how music has the remarkable ability to bring people together. If Earth, Wind & Fire and Lionel Richie are coming anywhere near your city in 2026, buy the ticket.
Bring your parents. Bring your kids. Bring your grandparents. Bring your friends.
Because concerts like this don’t happen very often, and when they do, they remind us that music isn’t just something we listen to.
It’s something we live.
Jack Johnson Brings the Sound of Summer to Gilford, with Hermanos Gutiérrez
June 12, 2026
Gilford, New Hampshire
On a beautiful early summer night in Gilford, New Hampshire, Jack Johnson brought the first stop of his SURFILMUSIC tour to a sold-out BankNH Pavilion, and it felt like summer had officially arrived. Families, longtime fans, and concertgoers of every age filled the venue Friday night, soaking in the kind of easygoing, feel-good atmosphere that has always made a Jack Johnson show feel more like a shared experience than just another concert.
Before Johnson took the stage, brothers Alejandro and Estevan Gutiérrez of Hermanos Gutiérrez opened the night with a 45-minute instrumental set that felt like desert rock meeting surf soundtrack under the New Hampshire sky. The duo shared that more than 20 years ago, they had started out playing Jack Johnson songs, making this tour stop feel especially meaningful for them. Their set was hypnotic and cinematic, with rich guitar textures that created a calm, transportive mood and quietly drew the crowd in. Later in the evening, the brothers returned to the stage during Johnson’s short film segment, helping bring the visual storytelling to life with live instrumental accompaniment that was as beautiful as it was understated.
When Jack Johnson finally hit the stage, the crowd was more than ready. From the opening notes, the BankNH Pavilion turned into the soundtrack of summer: warm air, waterfront energy, and thousands of voices singing along. Johnson mixed newer material with the songs that have defined so many summers for his fans, keeping the audience on its feet and fully locked in. His relaxed presence, effortless guitar work, and the playful way he worked in musical detours and cover teases kept the crowd guessing and smiling all night long. One standout moment came when keyboardist Zach Gill stepped into the spotlight for his own brief vocal feature, reminding everyone just how much personality Johnson’s band brings to the stage.
Then came “Banana Pancakes,” one of the night’s biggest singalongs, and with it, one of the most joyful moments of the evening. Gill, accordion in hand, turned the song into a full-body celebration, dancing across the stage and somehow making the accordion feel like the coolest instrument in the building. It was one of those moments that summed up the night perfectly: playful, communal, and impossible not to love.
For anyone who has never seen Jack Johnson live, Friday night in Gilford was a reminder of what makes his music endure. It is not flashy. It does not need to be. It is honest, warm, and rooted in the kind of songs that make people want to gather with the people they love and sing along. With Hermanos Gutiérrez adding a stunning instrumental layer to the evening, the opening night of the SURFILMUSIC tour felt less like a concert and more like the way summer is supposed to sound.
Magic Power Still Burns Bright: Triumph Closes Spring Tour in Boston
June 6, 2026
Leader Bank Pavillion, Boston
Selling Out on the Last Stop, Twice!
On the second of two sold-out nights at Boston's waterfront Leader Bank Pavilion, fans packed the venue for what would become far more than a concert. Triumph's final stop of their 2026 spring tour felt like a celebration of classic rock, musicianship, and the songs that have become part of the soundtrack of multiple generations.
With the Boston skyline glowing behind the stage and a crowd eager from the opening notes, both April Wine and Triumph delivered performances that reminded everyone why these bands continue to matter decades after their first hits climbed the charts.
April Wine Opens the Night with Unexpected Heat
April Wine hit the stage first and immediately raised the energy level.
For many in attendance, the veteran Canadian rockers may have been viewed as the opening act. By the end of their set, they had become one of the night's biggest surprises.
Photographing from the pit offered a close-up view of a band firing on all cylinders. Their musicianship was exceptional, but it was the lead singer's magnetic stage presence that kept the audience engaged throughout the nearly hour-long performance. Brian Greenway (guitar), Richard Lanthier (bass), Roy Nichol (drums), and Marc Parent (lead vocals, guitar) brought all the favorite fan hits including "Gypsy Queen" and "Just Between You and Me".
They had fans singing along, while newer material blended seamlessly into the set. Rather than simply revisiting the past, April Wine proved they remain a vibrant and relevant live act.
By the time they left the stage, the crowd was energized and ready for the night's main event.
A Reinvented Triumph Takes the Stage
At first glance, many fans may have expected the traditional Triumph lineup they remembered from arena tours decades ago.
What they received was something even bigger.
With bassist Mike Levine unable to participate in the tour, original members Gil Moore and Rik Emmett assembled an all-star lineup featuring bassist Todd Kerns of Slash's band, guitarist Phil X of Bon Jovi and former Triumph member, and multi-instrumentalist Brent Fitz on drums and keyboards.
The result was a five-piece powerhouse that elevated Triumph's already impressive catalog.
From the opening song, it was clear this wasn't a nostalgia show. The band sounded massive.
Emmett joked during the evening that he was thrilled to finally have musicians around him who could sing the harmonies Triumph's music demands. The chemistry between the players was evident throughout the night.
The Musicianship Was Extraordinary
One of the evening's highlights was watching Rik Emmett perform the extended solo during "Rock & Roll Machine."
His guitar work remains breathtaking. Decades after first becoming one of rock's most respected guitarists, Emmett still plays with the precision, emotion, and technical brilliance that made him famous.
Todd Kerns was equally impressive. His bass playing anchored the band's sound while his vocal contributions helped recreate the layered harmonies that have always been a hallmark of Triumph's music.
The addition of Phil X and Brent Fitz brought fresh energy while honoring the band's legacy.
A Journey Through Triumph's History
The light show was spectacular, but it was the video production that truly elevated the experience.
Throughout the performance, the massive screen behind the band transported fans through Triumph's history. Images of youthful band members with long hair and unmistakable 1970s style gave way to modern footage and futuristic visuals.
The journey felt symbolic.
It reminded the audience where Triumph began while celebrating how far they've come.
For many in attendance, it was impossible not to reflect on their own journeys alongside the music.
Magic Power Lives On
As the band launched into "Magic Power" near the end of the night, something special happened.
Thousands of fans rose to their feet, waving their arms and singing every word.
For a few minutes, age disappeared.
Sixteen-year-old versions of ourselves returned.
The crowd became one voice, celebrating songs that have carried them through decades of life.
By the time the final notes rang out, it was clear that this wasn't simply another stop on a tour. It was a reminder of what great live music can do.
It brings us together.
It helps us remember.
And on a perfect summer night in Boston, Triumph and April Wine delivered both in abundance.
Whether this spring tour proves to be a farewell or simply another chapter, the sold-out crowd at Leader Bank Pavilion left hoping it won't be the last time these legendary musicians take the stage together.
