The song was first performed live during the band’s Opry debut last month where the band’s fans packed the infamous venue and the song became the most talked-about moment of the night. Frontman BrentSmith introduced the song by telling the audience:
“Sometimes when you listen close enough to the universe and you’re willing to receive something from it- a song can come out of thin air. We didn’t find this one, it found us.”
You can see a clip of the Opry performance HERE and introduction of the band by Carrie Underwood HERE.
Written by Brent Smith, Eric Bass and Dave Bassett and produced by Eric Bass at his Big Animal Studio in Charleston, SC, Searchlight channels the emotional depth and anthemic power that have become Shinedown’s signature but with new sonic elements fitting of the Opry’s stage. In the song’s music video you can see each member performing their own instruments including a steel pedal guitar and banjo. Filmed in Nashville, Tennessee the day after their Opry debut the video showcases the band’s live performance as well as the emotional power behind the song.
2025 has already been a defining year for Shinedown, with Searchlight following their powerful global hit Three Five Six, which topped multiple radio formats including #1 at Alternative, Top 10 at Hot AC and AC, and Top 20 at Top 40. The band also released Dance Kid Dance and Killing Fields — both of which hit #1 — further cementing their dominance at radio. Shinedown currently hold the record for the most #1 songs on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock Chart (21 #1’s to date), making them the top artist in the chart’s history, as well as the most #1s on the Mediabase Active Rock Chart (24), along with the records for the most Top 5s and Top 10s in the chart’s history.
In addition, this year Shinedown sold out and performed at Madison Square Garden for the first time during their Dance, Kid, Dance arena tour – a career milestone for the band. As part of the tour, they donated $1 from every ticket sold to Musicians On Call, resulting in a $300,000 contribution that helped launch a new bedside music program in partnership with HCA Florida Healthcare. Brent Smith and ZachMyers recently performed at the program’s kickoff event. Earlier this year, the band also took home multiple iHeartRadio Awards, further solidifying their standing as one of the most impactful bands of today.
Recently the band announced their first-ever curated festival event – Shinedown’s Lunatic Ball Beach Weekend, taking place October 23-25, 2026 in Miramar Beach, FL. The three-day destination experience will feature performances from Shinedown (two headlining sets), BUSH, Hanson, Flyleaf (with Lacey Sturm), Living Colour, From Ashes to New, Guardians of the Jukebox, Neon Mooners and more to be announced. Fans can purchase tickets and get more information at: www.shinedown.com.
Up next the band are confirmed for the 2025 iHeartRadio Jingle Ball Tour Presented by Capitol One where they will perform on December 2nd at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, TX, December 8th at Allstate Arena in Rosemont, IL, December 9th in Detroit, MI at Little Caesars Arena and December 16th in Washington, D.C. at Capital One Arena.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.livewiremusic.org ’
