COLLECTIVE SOUL AT BERGEN PERFORMING ARTS CENTER IN ENGLEWOOD
The year was 1993 - grunge music had taken the world by storm. The major labels and mainstream media were not being sought after by the artists, but rather the complete opposite. This new wave of music was something so unique, and so many were able to relate and just be themselves. From Nirvana to Pearl Jam to Stone Temple Pilots, and of course, the legendary group Collective Soul. From their start back in 1992 to present day, their fans have stayed loyal and grown with them. Collective Soul has given them numerous hits to fall in love with and with the superior talents that each band member possesses, seeing them live in concert will leave you speechless!
The band is currently out on the road celebrating 25 years of Collective Soul. They made a stop in Englewood, NJ to perform at the Bergen Performing Arts Center. The band hit the stage 20 after 8 and everyone took their positions. Ed Roland (vocals, guitar, keys/piano) started with a beautiful intro being played on his piano and combined with his voice that, still to this day, sounds as it did in the early 90’s. As I was shooting I heard the start to my all-time favorite song by them, however, it was different. I thought I was going to maybe hear an acoustic version, with more focus behind the piano. However, after about a minute of teasing the crowd, “Shine” exploded with the full band playing! Every single person in this band has the same youthful energy they did when they exploded into the mainstream back in the 1990’s. They continued with hit after hit; “December”, “Precious Declaration”, “Gel”, and most of these songs featuring some epic solo’s on guitar.
The Bergen PAC is a beautiful venue, giving you that opera-house-type feel. The lighting was great, especially for the photographers! The sound was loud and powerful, yet clean and controlled to hear every instrument and vocal coming from that stage. To see a band I grew up listening to when I was in middle school, and they sound just like the day I bought and played their cassette for the first time, is truly an amazing feeling. The show they put on was simply great. These guys rocked that stage and gave everything they had to the fans in attendance. I have been extremely fortunate to not only be able to shoot bands such as Collective Soul, but to actually be able and see them live in concert - it truly is a blessing!
Music these days is filled with autotune, sampling, bands covering hits from the past to try and make a name for themselves - the list can go on and on here. However, back in this era, all these artists and bands wanted to do was play music. Bands like CS wanted to give their gifts of being able to sing or play an instrument to those that cared to listen. I believe the reason why bands like CS are so successful are because they truly enjoy the gift they have been given, and with this gift, they appreciate and are beyond thankful that people in this world love hearing their music and are always wanting more. I could not tell you how many times I would see each band member stand and salute the crowd. I could see and read their lips saying, “Thank You” over and over and over. This show was one for the books. As always my friends, until next time… KEEP ROCKING!