What a night at Darien Lake.
The Summer Unity Tour rolled through on July 26th, and while I missed the opener (still kicking myself), the rest of the evening more than made up for it. With Our Lady Peace, Collective Soul, and Live back-to-back-to-back, it felt like stepping into a time machine in the best possible way.
Our Lady Peace opened things up with an emotional and dynamic set. Raine Maida’s voice still hits with that raw, gritty edge that made them stand out back in the day. One of the more powerful moments came during a reworked version of “Whatever,” which they tied to mental health awareness. The crowd was locked in, and by the time they played “Starseed” you could feel the momentum building.
Then Collective Soul took the stage and just as they settled into their set, a light sprinkle started falling. It only lasted a few minutes, barely enough to wet the grass, but it added a cool vibe to the moment. Once it passed, the skies cleared and the rest of the night was perfect. Ed Roland brought the energy, and a Cowboy hat, moving across the stage with effortless confidence. The crowd exploded during “Shine,” and songs like “The World I Know” and “December” reminded everyone just how many hits these guys have in their catalog.
+Live+ wrapped up the night with a powerhouse performance. They came out swinging with “Pain Lies on the Riverside” and didn’t let up. song 2 & 3 were “Selling the Drama” & “All Over You”. I couldn’t believe they came out swinging with those heavy hitters at the start of the show!
The heavy emotion had the crowd in a trance. “I Alone” turned into a full-venue scream-along, and when “Lightning Crashes” hit, it felt like everything stopped for a moment. It was the perfect ending to a night that was equal parts nostalgic and electric.
The Summer Unity Tour did exactly what it promised — brought fans together for an unforgettable night of 90’s & early 2000’s music. A little sprinkle, a lot of heart, and iconic bands made for one hell of a summer show. If the Summer Unity Tour is coming anywhere near you, don’t miss it. Seriously!
📸@davestevens
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