September 10, Collective Soul played at Metropolis in Montreal. The show was due to start at 8, so we arrived at 7pm and went inside. There weren't too many people there yet, so we got spots right up front by the stage (I was right up against the barricade!), on the left side (near ROSS). Before the show started, by total co-incidence I finally met Jason Dubsky (midi sequencer extraordinaire) in person. He was there with my friend's boyfriend's friend (confused yet?)

Anyway, Darlahood started right on time. They weren't too bad for an opening band, but all their songs sounded like other bands' songs. They played for about 45 minutes. During which time we met up with another friend who had arrived at the same time as us but had the presence of mind to go around back to the tourbus and meet the band and get autographs and talk to them. So I was kicking myself the whole time for not having met them.

After what seemed like forever, THEY finally got onstage. The energy in the place was amazing. They opened with Disciplined Breakdown, and the show was incredible from then until the end. The setlist (not in order) was: Precious Declaration, Listen, Maybe, Blame, Disciplined Breakdown, Forgiveness, Crowded Head, Everything (during which we shouted KOOL-AID), Simple, The World I Know (last song of encore), Smashing Young Man, December, Where The River Flows, Gel, Collection Of Goods, Shine, Wasting Time, and Heaven's Already Here. Also Revolution and Crazy Train.

The guys all looked like they were having a great time. I was really close to Ross and I thought I was imagining things when I saw he kept smiling at me, but then I realized he really was. He'd have this all-cool rock-star expression on his face and then he'd look at me and get this goofy grin :) I had the birthday book in an envelope in my pocket, and near the end I held it up while he was looking at me, and then tossed it onstage and it landed near his feet. When the song was over he bent down and picked it up and smiled. So rest assured, fans, he got the book.

Near the end, Ed thanked all the fans in the usual fashion, and said they're going to be recording a new album that'll be out next year, and they'll definately come back to Montreal next time. So I can't wait, of course!

After the show, we went out back to the bus and waited, but they kept telling us that the band had already left, because it was the last night of their North American tour so they didn't have to get somewhere else right away. We didn't believe them cause the bus was still there, and also it hadn't been very long. Then we had the bright idea of looking in the bus windows for the Canadian flag, and when we didn't see it anywhere, we were finally inclined to believe them. We reluctantly left, and I still don't know for sure if they were lying or not. So I don't have any incredible meeting the band stories, but it was great nevertheless. I wouldn't have missed it for the world!