Concert Review: LĪVE

In the early ’90’s, I was living about an hour drive from the York, PA home of LĪVE, and the local rock community was well aware of their potential. Despite their frequent early-career sojourns into New Jersey, I never caught them live and often rued that decision.

They first broke through with FM radio hits “Operation Spirit” and “Pain Lies on the Riverside,” off of their 1991 Mental Jewelry album and they quickly moved on from the local club scene.

The quartet followed that release with their seminal Throwing Copper album, and their star quickly ascended.

Now, 25 years later, they visited Universal Orlando where they spent the evening featuring a handful of cuts from their former #1 album. And, on that night, I finally caught their live show in person.

Universal Studios, Orlando, FL
March, 2020

After a long-break, the band hit the road for their first show of the year. The current iteration of the band features the original LĪVE lineup, a rarity in the classic rock universe these days. Front man Ed Kowalczyk, who recently returned to the band after a short hiatus, sounded great and looked energized throughout the 80-minute show.

The show got off to an explosive start with two of the biggest hits from Throwing Copper, “All Over You” and “Selling the Drama” and the party was on.

Kowalczyk interacted with the crowd throughout the set and seemed to get along great with his band mates, particularly original drummer Chad Gracey and guitarist Chad Taylor.

The entire set featured a laid back, fun atmosphere with Kowalczyk’s daughter and her friends sitting off to stage right for the entire show. At one point, he addressed how her birth changed his perspective on life and slipped into an acoustic version of “Heaven.” Other unexpected highlights were rousing covers of REM’s “Losing My Religion” and the Stones’ “Paint It Black,” two selections that highlighted Kowalczyk’s diverse voice.

As the night wound down, Kowalczyk played “Turn My Head, unaccompanied on his acoustic guitar. By the time the song concluded, all of the other band members had joined in. After that, the evening ended with an energetic, singalong version of “Lightning Crashes” sending the Orlando crowd, including this LĪVE virgin, satisfied into the night.

LĪVE Setlist

All Over You
Selling the Drama
Losing My Religion
The Beauty of Gray
The Dolphin’s Cry
Paint It Black
Lakini’s Juice
I Alone
Operation Spirit (The Tyranny of Tradition)
White, Discussion
Heaven
Turn My Head
Lightning Crashes