At Germania Amphitheater with Our Lady Peace and special guest Greylin James Rue.

I honestly don’t even know how to put this into words. What do you say when you finally get to see a couple of bands you’ve been listening to for a big part of your life—and not just see them, but photograph their shows? It still doesn’t feel totally real.

I asked to shoot this tour for a specific reason. There’s a song by LIVE called “I Alone” that’s been with me since the mid-90s. I’ve listened to it probably hundreds of times over the years. It’s one of those songs—the kind that gets in your bones and stays. That whole album meant something to me when I was younger, and honestly, it still does. Their music has always given off this feeling I can’t quite explain… something strong, grounding, and full of energy. I felt pulled toward this show. And then, when I saw the tour was called “Unity“—it just felt like it was meant to be.

Collective Soul was the other reason. Their songs have also been part of my life—big moments, little ones, and even as background music to memories I will hopefully never forget.

The strange thing? I’d seen LIVE on video back in the day, but I had never seen Collective Soul. Or maybe I did and just don’t remember? Honestly, I have no idea how that happened. I can only chalk it up to life being kind of crazy back then… back then? I have always known who they are but…yeah, what can I say? I missed out.

When I found out I was going to be shooting the show, I was so overwhelmed—because that day I thought all my camera gear had been stolen. Total blank-out moment. I couldn’t remember where I’d left my camera bag, I was freaking out. Eventually I found it, hidden at home, because I didn’t want to drag it to work with me—I live pretty far out and usually bring it just in case. That week was already nuts—my job was moving offices and I was completely worn out. So yeah, I had a full meltdown, then a few hours later… I got the confirmation email for the show…and another meltdown. LOL… That’s not funny.

The day of the concert, it was ridiculously hot. I left super early because I had been having car issues, and ended up sitting in the heat for hours, in my car, before check-in. I was tired, sweaty, anxious—so attractive—but also excited. Luckily, I ran into a photographer I knew, who knew all of the other photographers, so that helped settle me down a bit. And thank goodness we had an AC in the waiting room. That’s rare. It made a huge difference.

Now onto the performances.

I hadn’t seen LIVE, Collective Soul, Our Lady Peace, or Greylin James Rue live before, so I came in with high hopes and no real expectations—and they absolutely delivered.

Greylin James Rue opened and completely held her own. She had great stage presence and the band was super solid. Definitely a strong start to the night. I look forward to seeing what she does in the future.

Our Lady Peace was a really pleasant surprise for me. I wasn’t familiar with their music beforehand, but they brought a ton of energy and my kind of music. They had everyone fully locked in. I will be listening to them more, for sure.

And then: Collective Soul. Ahh, Collective Soul! Ok, let me be real for a second—I tend to be real, I like it. Of course I knew their music. If you were around in the ’90s–2000s, you couldn’t not hear their music and not know who they were. They were everywhere, and they were—and still are—insanely awesome. But I didn’t really know anything about them… It’s so weird. I didn’t even know what they looked like. Honestly, maybe I saw them on TV back in the day, maybe not, I wasn’t a big TV person—life’s been long and a lot has happened. But now? Now I wish I had seen them and I would have loved to have seen them every time they toured because they were phenomenal. And I will see them again… as much as possible.

When Ed walked onto the stage in his green jungle-print suit, it was on, I was like oh man, I’m going to love this! I just knew something special was about to happen. And it wasn’t just great—like I said before, it was absolutely phenomenal. He’s magnetic and charismatic, and chill all at the same time, very unique. They are all just flat-out cool and tore it up.

“The World I Know” is timeless, and hearing it live gave me chills. Seeing people singing along to their songs was really special. I also heard some songs I had never heard before—one of them, “Heavy,” ha ha, that is definitely a new favorite. I love hearing music I haven’t heard before. I don’t know if it’s new or older, but it’s new to me.

I only got to stay up front for a few songs, but I did get to watch a couple songs from up on the higher level, at the amphitheater, with some of the other photographers and a crowd of other people just standing in awe. The sun had started to set, the heat broke, and a soft wind rolled in while the music floated over the crowd. That moment…was something I won’t forget. One of those still, perfect scenes that make everything else just disappear. I think we all needed that, you could feel it from everyone.

I don’t consider myself to be the person who is a “fan” of anyone or anything, maybe I was at some point in my life, but I lived in Hollyweird for a lot of years, so I just kind of see things differently when it comes to that. After all, we are all people. But I do love great music and many of the people who provide it. I respect it. I feel it. And I’ll say this—I’ll absolutely be watching their new documentary “Give Me A Word” because of this. They are interesting. Something about that night stirred me. I can’t explain it fully, but it mattered a lot somehow.

I was already feeling super high from Collective Soul’s set—emotionally and energetically—so I kind of knew LIVE was going to take me there too. But I had to stay focused because, well… I was there to shoot, not just get swept away. Easier said than done.

The band blew us all away, in the best way, I am so grateful to have gotten to be there. There’s just been something about Ed Kowalczyk’s voice. It doesn’t just sit on top of the music—it blends with it, becomes part of it. His voice has always stood out to me. There’s a weight to it. Like it comes from somewhere deep, somewhere honest. And that matters to me.

And then there are the lyrics. I’ve always connected through words—always been someone who looks for meaning in the lines. Not to define me, but to see things from different angles. Back when I lived in Hollywood, LIVE’s lyrics really just landed in my brain. There were some things in them that I was feeling but couldn’t figure out for myself? I’d gone through a divorce in my late 20s and was trying to rebuild myself—trying to understand who I was outside of everything I had thought I had to be. Their music helped me think differently. Truly.

Thinking back now, I realize how much I actually learned from alternative music during that chapter of my life. There was depth and a different kind of perspective that was important to hear. It helped push me out of the box. It opened me up to new ideas, to deeper feelings, to different ways of seeing the world—and myself.

And as I’m writing this, it’s hitting me: this show wasn’t just a cool opportunity or a fun night. I was drawn to it for a reason. I needed that reconnection—to the music, to that version of myself, to the reminder that art can really carry us through life.

Peace, Love, and “Unity.”

LIVE

Collective Soul

Our Lady Peace

Greylin James Rue