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

Trivium and Jinjer bring the 'Ascend Above The Ashes Tour' to Lancaster

By Matt Christine • November 14, 2025
Trivium is back on the road in 2025 — and this time, they’ve brought Jinjer along for a blistering run across the U.S. on the “Ascend Above The Ashes Tour.” Over the last four years, the rock and metal world has seen a wild expansion of dream-team co-headlining and powerful support on tours, the kind fans never thought they’d see outside of wish lists. Rising metal powerhouse Jinjer has been in the international spotlight ever since they were forced to exit Slipknot’s 2022 tour to return home and support Ukraine’s war efforts. In the years since, they’ve become global ambassadors for both their country and the metal community. And even as the supporting act on this tour, the band was greeted by a massive turnout and a stage setup that matched their well-earned status in the scene. Their addition on this tour with Trivium was a match made in heaven (or hell) and a perfect compliment sonically. The band's 9 song setlist got the mosh pit moving and crowd surfers flowing ahead of the main event that evening. It may have been a Wednesday night , but you wouldn’t have known it based on the crowd’s energy leading up to Trivium’s 9:50 p.m. arrival. Pennsylvania showed once again why it has a reputation as one of the weirdest and yet strongest markets in the country for rock and metal. When the band’s massive stage slowly illuminated to reveal a dramatic backdrop, Trivium launched into their set with explosive force as strobes burst to blinding effects all around them. Trivium's 14 song set was a blistering pace of their greatest hits and new material that left little time for the band to chat with the crowd as they moved quickly from song to song. Frontman Matt Heafy nearly blended into the elaborate backdrop thanks to a jacket patterned almost identically, but he was impossible to miss as he tore across the stage from mic to mic, shredding through one technical assault after another. Much like Jinjer’s opening performance, Trivium delivered a razor-sharp, 80-minute set that pulled from across their expansive catalog. From the first crushing riff to the final crack of the snare, they gave Lancaster everything they had — and the packed pit gave it right back. Opening nights can often feel unpredictable, but Lancaster showed up ready, proving once again that this city doesn’t just attend shows — it sets the bar. If the rest of the “Ascend Above Ashes Tour” follows this lead, Trivium and Jinjer are in for one unforgettable run.

Taylor Acorn returns home to Pennsylvania at the Archer Music Hall

By Matt Christine • November 12, 2025
Taylor Acorn’s return to Pennsylvania to the Arrow at the Archer Music Hall in Allentown was a homecoming a long time coming after a massive year of touring and festival appearances. Just a few weeks after performing at the When We Were Young Festival in Las Vegas - and fresh off wrapping The Summer School Tour - Taylor Acorn returned to Pennsylvania with clear momentum behind her. Touring in support of her newly released LP, she arrived at The Arrow at the Archer in Allentown with a setlist shaped around this new chapter of her sound. The fresh material wasn’t just sprinkled into the night; it was the thread that held the entire show together. And while Acorn hasn’t forgotten her roots in the pop-punk world, it’s obvious that these newer songs give her a wider lane to move in and let her shine bright onstage. The Arrow itself proved to be an ideal setting. The room was full but comfortable, with that sweet spot where you can feel the crowd’s energy without fighting for space. Warm lighting and a clear sightline from almost anywhere in the venue helped create a sense of connection the moment Acorn stepped out. It didn’t take long for the entire place to settle into a rhythm—heads nodding, hands in the air, and plenty of voices shouting back the lines they knew. Between songs, Acorn kept the energy light and the banter genuine. She shared quick stories, poked fun at herself, and made it clear she appreciated being back in her home state. Nothing dragged, nothing felt overly rehearsed—it all stayed grounded in the good-natured vibe that filled the room. By the end of the night, The Arrow at the Archer felt less like a tour stop and more like a celebration of where Acorn is right now: an artist still rooted in the scene that raised her, but growing fast and sounding sharper than ever. The crowd felt it, the room carried it, and Acorn made sure everyone left buzzing. A strong show, a great space, and the kind of night that makes you want to catch her again before the tour moves on.

Kaleo bring the 'Mixed Emotions Tour' to from Iceland to Allentown

By Matt Christine • September 19, 2025
On September 16, 2025, Icelandic rockers KALEO brought their Mixed Emotions Tour to Allentown’s Archer Music Hall, with Quarters of Change and Júníus Meyvant on the bill.