Article and Photos by: Sarah Todd

Greensboro, NC — What started as a rainy forecast turned into a memorable night of live music as the Summer Unity Tour rolled into Greensboro. Originally booked for White Oak Amphitheatre, the show was moved indoors at the last minute to the Greensboro Special Events Center. The venue change wasn’t great for acoustics; the space, better suited for something like conventions, echoed during the heavier songs. Still, the crowd didn’t mind, and the energy stayed strong all night.

Opener Greylin James Rue kicked things off with a short set that blended country and rock, setting a mellow tone for the night. Her warm, soulful voice and heartfelt lyrics connected quickly with the audience, showcasing her promising talent and hinting at a bright future ahead. Though her set was brief, she was an engaging presence on stage.

Our Lady Peace followed with a charged performance featuring hits like “Superman’s Dead” and “Clumsy,” delivering the emotional punch that made them ’90s favorites. With over two decades of experience, the band showed why they’ve stayed relevant, blending the lyrics and melodies that defined their early work with a mature, confident stage presence. Raine Maida’s distinctive vocals were strong throughout, and the crowd clearly loved hearing the songs that helped shape a generation of alt-rock fans.

Live hit the stage next to the delight of the crowd. Ed Kowalczyk’s voice remains a standout – still raw and commanding – and the band played with a sense of purpose, delivering fan favorites like “I Alone,” “Dolphin’s Cry,” and “Lightning Crashes.” Kowalczyk kept his sunglasses on throughout the set, which sadly added a bit of distance, but it didn’t take away from the intensity of their performance – a tight show that reminded the crowd just how exciting their songs still are.

Collective Soul closed out the night with a set packed with hits, still sounding sharp after all these years. Since bursting onto the scene in the early ’90s with their breakthrough album Hints Allegations and Things Left Unsaid, they’ve built a lasting legacy with memorable rock anthems. Songs like “Heavy,” “December,” and “Shine” got the biggest reactions, and frontman Ed Roland was full of energy – dancing and moving around the stage with the enthusiasm of someone half his age. He had the crowd singing along from the first note to the last..

Although the venue change might have affected the sound quality of the show, the night went smoothly. The bands delivered a solid, well-paced show that gave fans exactly what they came to hear.