Mount Pleasant, MI (Soaring Eagle Entertainment Hall), December 30, 2022 Options

[dangum]

December 30, 2022
Mount Pleasant, MI
Soaring Eagle Entertainment Hall

Band consists of:

Ed Kowalczyk
Zak Loy (guitar)
Robin Diaz (drums)
Chris Heerlein (bass)

Support act: Tonic

For general discussion about lineup/tour: Tour Dates 2022

[Voodoo Lady]

I look forward to your review of the show, Hoodstock.

I’m finding it weird that no one from the band posted anything before the show on social media today.

[Hoodstock]

I look forward to your review of the show, Hoodstock.

I’m finding it weird that no one from the band posted anything before the show on social media today.

There was some Līve merch at the show. A few different t-shirts with the 5 tour dates for $35, a red long sleeve shirt with dates for $70, and a bandana (didn't catch the price). Will be interested to see if the merch shows up somewhere for less now that the tour us over. If anyone comes across it please let me know.

Had no expectations for Tonic but they sounded good. Knew a few songs, the ones I didn't know were fine, and they ended with a few covers. Lead singer was interactive, the vocals were clear, and the lead guitarist was very skilled. Ripped off a few solos and did a nice job.

Live came on stage and it was immediately noticable that they were exponentially louder in stage. Performing at the volume of Tonic would have made for a better show.

Not sure if it was the volume, mic settings, or the actual mic but it was fairly difficult to understand the lyrics Ed was singing at times. The kickoff, Hold Me Up, sounded like a wall of sound and my wife had no idea what was being played or said. After that there seemed to be a slight adjustment to the mix.
Līve sounded a little less like a wall of sound but it continued to be really loud and difficult to make out lyrics at times. Not an issue for me because I know all the words but for the casual person some of it would be hard to distinguish what Ed was saying at times.

Loy was definitely missed on stage. To the casual viewer the difference wouldn't be anything but to an invested fan it was noticeable. Pretty sure he's never played with the band (outside of maybe a few rehearsals) and he's definitely not a soloist like Zac. That being said, they guy did an admiral job under the circumstances. IMO he's a rockstar for filling in so the show could happen.

All in all, I really enjoyed the show. I'm sure there were people who didn't know some of the songs, hoping to hear more hits, but I loved the setlist. That alone made the show worth it. Hearing Mother Earth, Brothers Unaware, Hold Me Up, Stage, Freaks, Pain Lies On the Riverside, and They Stood Up For Love (plus some hits) all in the same show was amazing. I almost wish they had just ended with I Alone but the audience is loved Lightning Crashes at the end.

If Līve is Ed with Loy and this band going forward that's fine with me. I get that some people won't be able to get past that but for my money it was a fun Līve concert.