Collective Soul at Toad’s Place – A Night of Music and Memories

Collective Soul performs at Toad's Place in New Haven, Connecticut on September 26, 2025 photo by Kris Forland — Collective Soul performs at Toad’s Place in New Haven, Connecticut, on September 26, 2025, photo by Kris Forland

It was December 1988, and I was 19 when I first set foot inside Toad’s Place in New Haven. The band was the Tom Tom Club – Chris Frantz and Tina Weymouth’s post – Talking Heads project – and I went with my older sister. The tickets came courtesy of their tour audio mixer, the late Doug McKean, a high school friend of mine who opened the door to what became an unforgettable night.

Fast forward nearly four decades, and I found myself back at Toad’s for another unforgettable night – this time with Collective Soul. Once again, it was an audio mixer who left his mark. Fernando “Fern” Alvarez, the band’s FOH mixer and production manager, decided to lock down the photo pit just as the band was about to hit the stage. For photographers, those first three songs are a frantic sprint – hundreds of shots taken, hoping for a dozen great ones that survive the editing gauntlet. Last night, that sprint never began for many of us.

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In fairness, Alvarez wasn’t being difficult for sport. Protecting his cables and connections means protecting the show. If one slip could silence the band in front of a packed house, then his job is to stand his ground. And he did – arguing with security, blocking access, and defending the mix position like a general guarding the frontline. For a band, that’s exactly the kind of ally you want. For me, it meant improvising, swapping to a zoom lens, and making the best of a difficult spot.

And in the end, it worked out. I walked away with shots I was proud of, and more importantly, the music did not disappoint. Collective Soul filled Toad’s Place shoulder to shoulder, with Ed Roland – dapper in a pink-flowered suit and cowboy hat – leading the charge. His voice still has the punch that made the band a fixture of ’90s rock radio, and the crowd responded with roaring sing-alongs to “Shine,” “The World I Know,” and “December.” They also slipped in newer material that proved they’re not just a legacy act – they’re still creating, still pushing forward.

Formed in Stockbridge, Georgia in the early ’90s, Collective Soul went from local buzz to multi-platinum success in a flash, and last night’s performance showed just how well they’ve carried that momentum. The musicianship was sharp, the energy infectious, and the connection with the audience undeniable. It was nostalgic, yes, but also alive and immediate – a reminder of why this band continues to matter.

And Toad’s Place deserves its own ovation. Celebrating 50 years as one of Connecticut’s most beloved venues, it still knows how to pack a room and deliver a night that feels both intimate and electric. Despite the hiccups, it was a night of great music, passionate people, and the unseen army of professionals who keep live shows running.

Collective Soul photos from Toad’s Place

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Collective Soul at Toad’s Place – A Night of Music and Memories