InsidethePit.

The stage design for Shinedown at the Denny Sanford PREMIER Center last night was built entirely around keeping the show connected to the crowd. Instead of everything staying locked to the back wall of the arena, the production stretched deep into the venue with lighting trusses extending toward mid-floor and multiple satellite stages connected by long runways.

Every few songs the perspective completely changed depending on where the band moved, which made photographing the show feel constantly different instead of repetitive.

Black Stone Cherry and Coheed and Cambria brought a ton of energy early in the night, but the reaction once Shinedown started digging into songs that are now over two decades old was honestly impressive. Thousands of people knew every lyric immediately and weren't shy about it.

The production side never slowed down either — pyro firing across the stage, smoke rolling through the arena, boom cannons hitting unexpectedly, fireworks overhead, and enough lighting changes to make every song feel visually different from the last.

Big thank you to my friends at Denny Sanford PREMIER Center, Midwest Communications, KTWB, and KRRO for another opportunity to photograph a huge night in Sioux Falls. 📸