It was turn back the clock to the 90’s night as 90’s legends Collective Soul with special guests Gin Blossoms took the stage in front of a pretty packed house at the Sands Bethlehem Event Center on this evening. This tour was put on in due part to Collective Soul’s recent release of “Blood”. Gin Blossoms took the stage.
Waves of familiarity and getting the sudden impulse to sing along took over the audience when Gin Blossoms broke into their classics such as “Follow You Down”, “Found Out About You”, and “Hey Jealousy”. You can tell that affected the band as the band received a collective burst of energy as the audience was singing along to their hits. They had such a good energy about them and you can tell that 90’s music is still alive and well to the audience. Gin Blossoms did a solid job warming up the crowd for Collective Soul.
After a brief intermission, Collective Soul started off the evening with their latest single off of “Blood” entitled “Observation of Thoughts”. This song showcased what Collective Soul is all about and that is well-thought out arrangements, an epic chorus and E Roland showcased how charismatic of a frontman he is with his stage antics and his soulful singing. The crowd got really into it when they played their rocker “Heavy” and the crowd sang at the top of their lungs to “Shine”. Waves of nostalgia engulfed the audience as E Roland started off “Shine” with a beautiful piano arrangement and then that riff we all know kicked in and Collective Soul held the crowd in the palm of their hand as they played their absolute biggest hit. Honestly, I thought this would be the song to close the show.
Through hits such as “December”, “Precious Declaration”, and “The World I Know”, Collective Soul surprised the audience with a solid rendition of “The One I Love” by R.E.M. Fans got a taste of “Blood” and a night of hits for Collective Soul, and I can tell with this album release, this band has a new lease on life. Here is the setlist:
Observation of Thoughts
Heavy
Shine
Why, Pt. 2
Better Now
Now’s The Time
Over Me
Precious Declaration
December
Right As Rain
AYTA (Are You The Answer)
The World I Know
The One I Love (R.E.M. cover)
Gel
Where The River Flows
Run
Collective Soul is continuing on the “Now’s The Time Tour”. Check out the dates below:
Thu. 6/27- The Colosseum at Caesars Windsor in Windsor, Canada
Fri. 6/28- Summerfest in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Sat. 6/29- Lakes Jam in Brainerd, Minnesota
Thu. 7/11- Roxodus Music Festival in Stayner, Canada
Fri. 7/12- Foellinger Theatre in Fort Wayne, Indiana
Sat. 7/13- Greenville Lions Park in Greenville, Wisconsin (w/3 Doors Down and Loverboy)
Thu. 7/25- Canyon County Fair in Caldwell, Idaho
Sat. 7/27- Montana State Fair in Great Falls, Montana
Wed. 7/31- Fairhaven Vista in Redmond, Oregon
Sat. 8/3- Rockin The Fields of Minnedosa in Minnedosa, Canada
Mon. 8/5- Sturgis Buffalo Chip in Sturgis, South Dakota (w/Styx)
Wed. 8/7- Douglas County Fairgrounds in Roseburg, Oregon
For tickets and further information, click here.
Fans can find COLLECTIVE SOUL at the following locations:
www.facebook.com/collectivesoul
- Photo Credit: Kim Casper at Garden State Band Connection
