As someone who grew up in the ’90s and a fan of rock music playing on my local radio station, hearing that three legendary rock bands from that era were touring together this summer was a rush I cannot explain. It felt like the young version of me who used music to cope during the mid to late ’90s and escape a tumultuous home existence would have a chance to heal while also being able to enlighten the younger generations to what a concert of this scale can mean to so many. This music brought a wave of nostalgia and memories to light- riding in the backseat of your parent’s station wagon with the window down hearing “December” by Collective Soul, belting out “Lightning Crashes” by LIVE, and “Clumsy” by Our Lady Peace, among their other huge hits that hit the radio waves of years past. These were three bands that, no matter which you listened to the most over the years, you still knew all the hits from the others as well. The feel-good vibe that filled the Michigan Lottery Amphitheater on July 22, 2025, was an escape – a time to smile, a time to dance and sing along to your favorite memorable hits as well as experience new songs you haven’t heard.
Greylin James Rue, who gave indie young Fiona Apple vibes, fit in with this all-star ’90s lineup, including Our Lady Peace, as the beginning to the show and beautifully sang her soon-to-be released songs for the filling in crowd, who gave her such a warm reception. Following Greylin came my personal favorite from the era, Our Lady Peace. The set was short but incredibly powerful. Their mention of mental health and the initiative to contribute to mental health awareness was so incredible along with their hit packed setlist. “Clumsy,” which I fell in love with as a child and used my allowance money to purchase the album from Harmony House on cassette, was played— I was transported to 1997, when I bought the album and frequently racked up long-distance charges to request the song on the radio. The set was so good, sounding so close to the way they sounded decades ago.
+LIVE+ took the stage with incredible energy following Our Lady Peace, and with the beautiful colorful graphic scenes on the screen behind them as well as their excitement being there, everyone was brought to their feet with “Pain Lies on The Riverside.” Moving into the slower and powerful but very recognizable “Selling the Drama,” a hit from 1994, and “All Over You,” which got the crowd singing loudly along, you could tell that +LIVE+ knows how to pick songs from their massive discography to keep the crowd on their feet the entire show. Following my first three in the pit, I was amongst the crowd without my camera taking it all in, watching everyone enjoy the show and forgetting the turmoil that has been the last 25-plus years. For one night we were all singing along to our favorite +LIVE+ hits, including “Dolphin’s Cry” – a personal favorite – “Shit Towne,” “Lakini’s Juice,” as well as many others, with “I Alone” and “Lightning Crashes” rounding out their energy-packed and nostalgic set. Watching everyone enjoy themselves to the set was such a highlight.
Sounding as they did many years ago as well, this band included the massive crowd in all of their hits. The show was interactive, with some awesome moments where lead singer Ed Kowalczyk laid down his guitar and got on the drum risers to dance, igniting cheers through the amphitheater. I watched so many people happily singing +LIVE+’s nostalgic songs to each other in the crowd and children sitting on their fathers’ shoulders experiencing music their father has likely had on repeat for over 30 years. It was incredible to see such a huge fanbase remembering every word to these songs, even those that weren’t as played on the radio at the time. Their fans are dedicated – moving and singing along to every word, lost in the experience. After their set, the gentleman next to me yelled, “I FREAKING LOVE THESE GUYS! IT FELT LIKE THE ’90s ALL OVER AGAIN!” and it was just that – a happy time travel back in a modern setting reminding us of the beauty of hearing their music across the radio stations years ago when times were easier. For once, this amphitheater was reliving the best days of an incredible decade of fun and happier times. Co-headlining with Collective Soul for this “Summer Unity Tour” was such a feel-good call – giving us music we could enjoy through the entire concert.
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The final headliner of the night was Collective Soul – another legendary band from the time period when life seemed easier and less divided. The band came out and began their set with a screen thanking the farmers, the truck drivers and the hardworking people of America. Five of the members stood together around the drums in a pre-show ritual that just felt powerful – as lead singer Ed Roland took the stage to cheers and applause in the coolest, funkiest patterned suit. The band broke into their intro, and knocked out a newer track, “Mother’s Love,” and “Heavy” to start the evening off with their distinctive sound and some great stage moves. The band knew exactly what they were doing with this setlist, mixed in were new songs with a background – it reminded me of a VH1 “Storytellers” episode where you get to hear the background of why a song was written or what inspired it – and their older hits that have been on repeat for almost 30 years. This band didn’t miss a beat – incredible guitar solos, everyone moving around the stage and so happy to be there playing their hits live. “Shine” ignited the crowd, arms waving and belting it at the top of their lungs when the mic was pointed to them – it was a moment to carry along. It felt good to be there around so many happy people. Not a miserable soul in that packed venue.
Having learned of Ozzy Osbourne’s death earlier in the day, the band got emotional and also played a little “Crazy Train” for the crowd, who paid tribute with a heavy cheering and applause in honor of the Prince of Darkness. Not a moment of dull with this band, whose discography also has a wonderful mix of poignant ballads such as “World I Know,” “Tremble for my Beloved,” as well as energetic rock anthems and so many others. During the powerful “World I Know,” their globally recognized video played in the background, bringing you right back to the music video days on MTV and VH1. It was passionate and emotional at the same time. Everyone’s favorite and one of their most widely-known tracks, “December,” boasted a multi-minute rock guitar solo that had everyone on their feet moving and screaming – and really set the edge for the nostalgic rock evening. The entire band moved with the energy of the crowd, and lead vocalist Ed Roland danced and moved like every moment was the best night of his life. This band entered so many homes back in the ’90s, and have never left, never overstaying their welcome. Their new songs from their most recent album also had the crowd dancing in the aisles and brought that distinctive sound we all love but modernized it as well. This was a night of healing and happiness for everyone in that venue, including the band, their incredible vocalist expressing his grateful side with his hands on his heart and arms opening, drawing us in. The energy leaving for the evening was that of nostalgia, great vibes and a feeling of decades of incredible rock all in one place. Collective Soul brought us home to a time where the world moved a little slower and people were happier. It felt like we were there if only united for that one evening together.
The beauty in the evening was realizing all the bands never left our radios, our homes, or our hearts and weren’t going anywhere. The safety net of familiar and new music healing the inner parts of us was a pretty comfortable and remarkable feeling. The “Unity Tour” dates span through August, so get your tickets today and experience the amazing bands on this tour. If having a good time is not for you, obviously you can stay home and hear the wonderful stories from your friends, but I highly recommend experiencing one of the dates yourself!
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