CONCERT REVIEW – COLLECTIVE SOUL 7-9-2026 – NORTHFIELD PARK RACINO, CLEVELAND
By R.M. Engelman
CS made their much-anticipated yearly pilgrimage to the Cleveland area. Collective Soul continues to be a main touring draw since the early 90’s especially since they’ve held together a consistent ensemble. The stable lineup consists of Ed Roland (lead vocals, guitar, keys), Dean Roland (rhythm guitar), Johnny Rabb (drums, vocals), Jesse Triplett (lead guitar, vocals), and Will Turpin (bass, vocals). Tonight, the band was joined by Will’s son Tristan on keyboards.
The show featured a collage of songs from their various albums, naturally focusing on the hits. Counting the Days was followed by the hit Heavy. Mother’s Love and Why, Pt.2 led into their first major hit from 1994, Shine. Keep It on Track was followed by the nod to Tom Petty, Not the Same. The band played Sister Don’t Cry then began She Said with just Jesse and Ed leading off the song. Fan familiar songs The World I Know, December, and Right as Rain, built up to the crowd standing hit Gel, followed by Where the River Flows. CS ended the show with their standard encore type of exit song. Ed and his 12-string led the band off the stage with the anticipated hit Run.
The band has developed into a very tight unit with chemistry that plays off each other. Ed of course, is the definition of an energetic front man. The audience here was engaged in a total sing along as the band has established a string of material that many of them grew up with, remembering happier times. When a band has fun on stage, the audience follows in suit. That was the case here.
The bands demand hasn’t lightened up. They have a heavy travel schedule from August through November. Watch for their new worldwide release of Touch and Go on July 31. Pre-orders in digital, CD, and vinyl are available on their website. Check out their schedule for your area. Trust me, they won’t disappoint!
The Vindy’s from neighboring Youngstown brought their fans and opened the show with an inspired acoustic set.