Collective Soul continue to 'Shine' on their Summer Tour

September 10, 2021

With over two decades of touring experiences and countless hit songs, Collective Soul has become a powerhouse of the live concert industry and remains to be so due to their excellent performances on every tour they hit the road on.

While it seems like it has been a lifetime as touring halted during the pandemic, Collective Soul's return to Bethlehem comes not too long in the touring world following their sold out performance in 2019 at the Wind Creek Event Center. This time the band was scheduled to hit the stage in front of the SteelStacks outdoors on the Levitt Pavilion stage on the Artsquest campus with a great billing of support from Better Than Ezra and Tonic on the show.


Summer shows in Pennsylvania this summer have been a hit or miss batch as the state has suffered some of the worst severe weather in decades with a record number of tornado warnings being posted this summer. Luckily, fans were treated to one of the nicest evenings of the summer as cool weather drifted into the Lehigh Valley that saw the large crowd widely dressed in jeans and even a few hoodies for this late summer concert. As the minutes drew closer to the band's arrival fans began to press in closer to the stage and the anticipation only continued to grow when the band's iconic Collective Soul backdrop became visible on the stage.

Just past 9:15 the stage lighting dramatically shifted and the large crowd that had gathered for the concert in front of the massive remnants of the old Bethlehem Steel factory began to roar as Ed Roland led the rest of the band on stage. Led by Roland, Collective Soul ran through a beautifully constructed 14 song setlist that allowed them to spotlight a few newer additions from their discography but remain focused on all of the critical hits that shaped their legacy as a band. Fan favorite "December" made an appearance early in the night and triggered what would be one of the first of many full crowd singing sessions of the night. Roland couldn't help but smile as he let the crowd take over for a chorus section and was met with a loud refrain from them that was truly incredible.

Across the stage Dean Roland, Will Turpin, and Jesse Triplett worked the crowd all night long with numerous moments of fan interaction that left both parties smiling. Behind them Johnny Rabb kept the night moving with a definitive performance behind the drum kit that provided the backbone of a solid set from Collective Soul. Ed Roland has always been one of the more ambitious frontmen of his generation of rock n' roll and not even a pandemic could slow him down as he remains the life and soul of a Collective Soul live performance. His vocal delivery was flawless all night long and took songs like "Shine," "The World I Know" and late in the set "Run" to heights not heard on the studio versions.


As the night came to an end the crowd departed Bethlehem both satisfied with yet another stellar performance from Collective Soul and more than anything grateful. Grateful for the show they just witness, grateful to be back in crowds for live concerts and lastly grateful that while things may not seem the brightest right now - Collective Soul was able to help them forget even if just for a little while.


That's the beauty of live music.

Article Written By:

Matt Christine

The All-American Rejects kick off a new era at Parx Casino in Bensalem

By Matt Christine • April 1, 2025
On March 29, The All-American Rejects brought a whirlwind of nostalgia, energy, and surprise to the Xcite Center at Parx Casino in Bensalem, Pennsylvania. With the crowd already buzzing, the band made their entrance to the iconic "Gonna Fly Now" from Rocky, setting the tone for a night that would blend theatrical flair with heartfelt musicianship. Tyson Ritter and crew wasted no time launching into “Dirty Little Secret,” immediately turning the venue into a singalong haven for fans of all ages. The evening’s setlist was a well-balanced mix of crowd favorites and deep cuts, keeping both longtime fans and newer listeners on their toes. From upbeat anthems like “Fallin’ Apart” and “Beekeeper’s Daughter” to early classics like “My Paper Heart,” the band showcased their full range. But one of the night’s most emotional moments came from an unexpected fan request: an acoustic, acapella performance of “Heartbeat Slowing Down.” Tyson delivered the first verse and chorus with just his voice and a dim spotlight—his first time performing the song live since 2013. The crowd, stunned into silence, erupted with cheers at the final note. Throughout the show, Tyson Ritter kept the mood light with his signature irreverent humor. He poked fun at the convention center-style room, joking, about what other events were hosted in the room including a furry convention before launching into a riff about Parx Casino’s not-so-subtle encouragement to gamble. “They want you to leave this show... and immediately hit the slots. Don’t let them down!” he quipped, drawing laughs from every corner of the venue. That excitement rolled perfectly into a performance of their brand-new single “Sandbox,” which blended the band’s classic melodic hooks with a fresh, heavier indie-pop edge that had fans filming the moment for social media. One particularly fun surprise came when Tyson improvised a short, comedic song inspired by fans in the front row called “Chrysanthemum.” The details of this moment will be left behind lock and key for anyone not at the concert but just know it was one of the most obscene moments of the set and was a perfect way for the band to launch into "Sweat" after the moment wrapped up. The band also took time to acknowledge their recent appearance at Jonas Con, where they teased their upcoming role as special guests on the Jonas Brothers’ 20th Anniversary Summer Tour. The crowd cheered at the announcement, and Tyson grinned, saying, “We’ve officially joined the Jonas extended universe.” As the show neared its finale, The All-American Rejects rolled out a trifecta of hits—“Swing, Swing,” “It Ends Tonight,” and “Move Along”—each met with raucous applause and heartfelt singalongs. The encore, naturally, closed with “Gives You Hell,” sending the audience out into the casino with their voices hoarse and spirits high. Fans could be heard raving as they exited, calling it “everything I could have hoped for” and praising both the band and the intimate, high-energy setting. In the end, The All-American Rejects proved that they’re far from just a nostalgia act. With clever banter, emotional surprises, a killer setlist, and a brand-new single to boot, their performance at Parx Casino was a reminder that great bands don’t just survive the decades—they evolve, engage, and keep giving fans reasons to fall in love all over again.

Bishop Briggs hits Union Transfer for the "Tell Me Therapist I'm Fine" Tour

By Matt Christine • March 30, 2025
Bishop Briggs brought an electrifying storm to Philadelphia’s Union Transfer on the second-to-last stop of her “Tell My Therapist I’m Fine” tour—and if the title wasn’t already dripping in irony, her explosive set made it perfectly clear. Kicking off with “My Serotonin,” she transformed the venue into a cathartic dance party-meets-emotional bootcamp. It felt less like a concert and more like cracking open someone’s diary set to a thunderous bassline. From the jump, Briggs’ stage presence was nothing short of kinetic. She didn’t just command the stage—she treated it like an Olympic track, sprinting, leaping, and tearing across every corner without missing a note. During “Dark Side,” her energy swelled with the song’s intensity, delivering a performance that was equal parts spiritual purge and high-voltage rock ritual. “Woman Is King” arrived like a crown drop. Her voice soared, the crowd erupted, and in that moment, the track became less of a song and more of a statement—powerful, fearless, and unapologetically loud. It was the kind of performance that made you want to run through a wall or at least buy a leather jacket. The new single generated one of the best reactions from the crowd all night long and Briggs flashed more than one of her signature smiles from on stage during the emotional performance of the new track. Briggs didn’t just play a show—she led an emotional endurance test across 20 songs, and Philadelphia was more than willing to sweat it out with her from start to finish in this historic venue. If this was her version of therapy, then the rest of us were gladly booked in as co-patients.

Spencer Sutherland brings the "DRAMA" to Philadelphia at the Foundry

By Matt Christine • March 24, 2025
Spencer Sutherland lit up The Foundry in Philadelphia on March 20 with a headlining set that blended pop, soul, and showmanship in all the right ways. From the moment he hit the stage, his charisma was undeniable—commanding the crowd with powerful vocals and effortless swagger. Fans sang every word back to him, creating a room-wide chorus that felt more like a celebration than a concert. With emotional ballads, high-energy bangers, and a few unexpected twists, Sutherland proved he's not just riding momentum—he’s building a movement.