Collective Soul made a stop in Orlando on Friday, November 22nd. They have been busy this year with the release of their 10th studio album Blood and their “Now’s the Time Tour” marking their 25th Anniversary. Collective Soul truly needs no introduction. I’ve been a fan since I heard “Shine” back in 1993 and I’ve been rocking their music ever since, although I may be a bit partial since they are from my home state of Georgia.
I will not search my brain on this write up for big words. None are needed here. Friday night at City Walk AND I get to cover Collective Soul at Hard Rock Live? It doesn’t get much better than that. I arrived at around 6 pm to pick up my credentials and, no surprise, the admission line was already full. The doors opened at 7 and the crowd poured in ready to see one of their favorites. There was no opener, because, well, Collective Soul doesn’t NEED an opener. They’ve been rocking people’s asses off for 25 years. Say it with me, 25 years. That’s an impressive feat.
Shortly after 8 pm, lead vocalist Ed Roland, took the stage and went directly to his piano as his younger brother Dean Roland (Rhythm Guitar), Will Turpin (Bass), Johnny Rabb (Drummer) and Jesse Triplett (Lead Guitar) followed behind. To say the crowd erupted was an understatement.
The band wasted no time. They rocked the crowd immediately with “Observation of Thoughts”. That was followed by “Heavy” and “Why, Pt.2”. As a photographer, I have to say the climax was song number 4 on the setlist this night. The way these guys performed “Shine” was just amazing. It was a concert photographers dream; a fan’s dream. They performed to the audience and performed to me and my fellow photographers in the pit. It is so nice when a band is able to balance all of those moving parts.
The night continued with great song after great song. Hits such as “December”, “The World I Know”, “Gel”, and “Where The River Flows” were among this electrically charged setlist. It has been years since I last saw a Collective Soul performance. I honestly don’t know if I can say that I have ever seen them this good. As a photographer, these guys are a dream. Their lighting was amazing. Their performance was second to none. I have seen so many great concerts in my life and this one definitely has a place on my list of favorites. Their energy, flawless performance and most of all, humility is what puts these guys out in front of the entertainment world. You can tell they love what they do, and they do what they love.
Enjoy photos of Collective Soul performing at Hard Rock Live, Orlando. All photos copyright and courtesy of Chris Cornett.
