The band Collective Soul has been around for, according to Ed Rolland’s estimation, 29 years, and is mostly known for their debut single “Shine”. The performance I saw yesterday was top tier. The backdrop was just the sheet you would see at a festival but that is fine.
I’ve technically seen Collective Soul before, as I worked at Wayback Pointfest at Hollywood Casino Amphitheater/Riverport, but I wasn’t facing the stage, instead sweeping cigarette butts into a dust pan, but I digress.
Ed Roland had a lot of stage presence, entering the stage in a blue and diamond jacket that you would see from a 1980s televangelist, throwing the mic stand around in a strange game of catch with himself, I’d imagine if the microphone was wired, he would do the thing Roger Daltrey would do and windmill the mic around. His voice has aged well, retaining a soft, unique sound that blended well, but gave a contrast with the band’s sometimes heavy sound. He sounds close to the album, but has enough variation to make it clear that he isn’t performing to a tape (looking at you, KISS).
The setlist goes all over their discography, beginning with Cut the Cord off of their new album “Vibrating” and playing a lot of their self-titled album and Dosage. As someone who only really knows the band from “Shine” and “December”, I didn’t even know “The World I Know” was them even though I hear it at least 3 times a week. The opener Jet Black Roses (a great performance in their own right) joined them in a cover of REM’s “The One I Love” as all three bands are from Georgia.
The band was fantastic, the lead guitarist playing Les Pauls and ending the show on a beautiful ebony Gibson Firebird, and Dean Roland playing Les Pauls and SG’s marked with 11 (was wondering if it’s a reference to Pete Townshend’s “5” guitars), Rabb, the drummer sounded great, maintaining the rhythm and having fun all the while. The band had fun with the crowd and was happy to be performing in Marion, unlike some bands which will phone it in if it’s a small venue. He joked with the crowd and was aware that a lot of the crowd only knows the hits.
They ended the set with “Run” having an extended call-and-response session with the audience, doing a jam session with the band, and ending with Rabb pointing at the backdrop, lighting it up with the band’s logo, ending the night.
In conclusion, the band set gave a wide purview into the band’s storied history, playing the hits, some new stuff, but rocking the house all the while. The band’s energy was contagious and I would go see them again.
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PHOTO GALLERY (More photos will be uploaded soon!): https://photos.archcity.media/Mickolas/Music/Collective-Soul/Collective-Soul-at-Marion-Civic-Center-71123/
Mick Lite served for 12 years in the military and is now an entrepreneur and photographer. Has worked as the official scorer and social media manager for the River City Rascals, Statistician for the Missouri Monsters and St. Louis Attack arena football teams, and as the Team Photographer and social media consultant for the St. Charles Chill, SLU Hockey, St. Louis Slam, and Gateway Grizzlies.
