After their third album, Throwing Copper, was released in 1994, Live was catapulted into a new atmosphere. 31 years later, with a new supporting cast, Ed Kowalczyk took fans on a wild ride, as Darien Lake Amphitheatre hosted the 90s alt-rock band on July 26.
Supporting Live, were fellow 90s rockers Collective Soul, who took the airwaves by storm in 1993 with “Shine”, and Toronto’s Our Lady Peace, who rose to notoriety in 1994. A little Lallapalooza-esque tour for the summer of 2025.
Starting the night off around 615 was newcomer, Greylin James Rue. Only 24, Rue showed that she can command a crowd with ease. A killer voice with hints of Fiona Apple, Alanis Morisette, and Amy Lee, Rue is sure to make some waves for those who have not heard of her before. A solid choice to kick off the night.
After Rue’s short set, Our Lady Peace took the stage and immediately had the crowd’s attention. With their newest release, “Sound the Alarm’ filling the ears of fans, Raine Maida and crew went to town with nice mix of old new, with 30 years and 10 albums to pull from.
“Drawing inspiration from Refused, At the Drive-In, and our debut album Naveed, “Sound The Alarm” is an up-tempo call to arms to lift each other up instead of tearing each other down.” – Raine
Leading OLP is Raine Maida (the only original member left) on vocals, rhythm and acoustic guitar; Duncan Coutts on bass and vocals; Steve Mazur on keys, lead guitar, and backing vocals; and Jason Pierce on drums and percussion.
Set list: Sound the Alarm, Superman’s Dead, Whatever, Clumsy, Somewhere Out There, Locked in the Trunk of a Car (The Tragically Hip cover), Starseed
Following the Canadien alt-rockers, Collective Soul was ready to rock the stage. Hailing from Georgia, Ed Roland and cast are no strangers to the sweltering, stagnant heat that was hovering over the amphitheater.
Like many others before them, Collective Soul can give many thanks to college radio stations for playing demos. “Shine” was handed off to a University of Georgia station and quickly became listener favorite. Less than a year later, Hints, Allegations, and Things Left Unsaid was released and the rest is history.
On this night, Ed Roland takes the stage with glitter painted face, a bright Stetson, and some sunglasses that Raoul Duke would be envious of. With “Mother’s Love”, “Heavy,” and “Right as Rain” getting the set underway, Collective Soul took fans on little roller coaster of albums going back to 1999s Dosage.
Hold me up to all whom you’ve deceived
from “Heavy”
Promises you break you still believe
Roland’s vocals, although a little more subdued, still know how to reach the target and the have the same impact as they did in the early days in Georgia. Moving through the set, Roland, along with brother Dean, Will Turpin, Johnny Rabb, and Jesse Triplett cruise through over 30 years of sound, enticing fans to sing along or finish lyrics. Fans crammed the barrier up front, just as they did in the mid 90s as Collective Soul was riding the alternative rock wave.
Set list: Mother’s Love, Heavy, Right as Rain, Shine, Precious Declaration, Keep it on Track, She Said, The World I Know, December, Tremble for My Beloved, Gel, Where the River Flows, Run
Now that the crowd has been amped up more and more with each passing act, it was time for Ed Kowalczyk to strut his stuff with Live.
Growing up, I didn’t get into live music until junior year of high school, which coincided with the release of “Lightning Crashes”. Being in college town, just as with Collective Soul, Live has lots of airplay on the low frequency, student run station WBSU in Brockport, NY. When it was announced that Live was making a stop in this little canal town, I jumped at the opportunity and bought my $10 ticket, along with a group of friends. To this day, this show and night with friends remains one of my favorite concert events. The sound, the atmosphere, discovering the Kowalczyk and magically navigated to opposite end of the ice arena and upper deck to play a few songs, and getting ears blown away from the loudspeakers all made for epic experience.
It is now 2025, I am surely going deaf and Live is back on tour. This was a must see for me, and these guys did not disappoint at all. While there was no disappearing act, and Ed is the only original left, it was still a great show.
From the onset of “Pain Lies on The Riverside”, from 1991s Mental Jewelery, to the encore set that culminated with “Lighting Crashes” there was no shortage of energy from anyone on stage. Ed rocked the mic like it was it 1993 all over again, Pat Seals absolutely demolished the bass, Zak Loy went tit for tat on the guitar, Johnny Radelat went to town on the drums, and Nik Jay held down the keys.
A mix of old and new for all the fans, it was no surprise that of the 15 songs played, eight of them came from Throwing Copper, which is by far their best album statistically. No complaints here, I assure you.
Included in this set was “White, Discussion”. A little dramatic, a little heavy, but very poignant. Just reading lyrics or listening to the track, the song is very fitting is the society we live in.
I talk of freedom
you talk of the flag
I talk of revolution
you’d much rather brag
The one complaint I have is actually with the fans. In all the shows I have been to, these fans at Darien Lake were the quietest I have ever seen after the initial set. There was no cheering or clapping. The band left the stage and the place went silent. It wasn’t until the guys returned to the stage that the cheering continued.
A lot has changed since I saw Live in Brockport, NY back in 1994. The one constant, though, is that Ed Kowalczyk is still Live, and Live can still put on a show.
Set list: Pain Lies on the Riverside, Selling the Drama, All Over You, Iris, Lady Bhang (She Got Me Rollin’), T.B.D., Shit Towne, The Dolphin’s Cry, Leave the Radio On, Rattlesnake, White Discussion, Lakini’s Juice
Encore: Turn My Head, I Alone, Lightning Crashes
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