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| Ed Roland and Will Turpin at the HOB. |
Collective Soul,
House of Blues
Houston
June 1, 2012
Having been to more than a few concerts in my life, I've gotten to a point where the experience is more important than the who or what. I've seen Collective Soul half a dozen times now, so standing in the heat for hours, waiting for a chance for a decent photo, fighting with people in line, well, it ain't all that fun, when you don't have to.
To avoid most of that, the VIP Experience is worth all the money, and then some. So, I got us tickets for the June 1 show at the House of Blues. We were treated right, from the get-go. We, and about 25 others, were given laminated VIP passes, our tickets, and let into the air-conditioned venue way ahead of everyone else. Why, well, because we also got to meet the band and get autographs, and our place at the stage. They gave us a signed lithograph, as well, which is very nice, indeed.
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| Lisa in the House. |
Speaking of posters, the HOB restaurant had a custom poster advertising the concert in their restroom. All I know is that somehow that very same poster ended up signed by the whole band and will be soon proudly displayed in my home. Said bassist Will Turpin, "That'll look real nice, framed." Indeed, it will, Will.
The show was special because they played the entire "Dosage" album, in order, and then a set of their hits. A very cool experience, and I hope they do it again. Frontman Ed Roland saw my shirt for their "Youth" album, and expressed his delight that I was wearing it. When I explained that the album is my personal favorite, he remarked, "Maybe we should do that one next." Please do, Ed. Please, do.
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| Hey, look, it's us! |
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| Will's pick. |
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| Part of Ed's setlist. |
The music was fantastic. All those songs, how could it not be? And the sound was perfect, from our vantage point, front and center. That's how it should be. An easy, fun night, with great music by a favorite band, that you just happen to know a little bit better.
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| We're with the band. |
