Recap by “Chad from Albany” Koenig.
Alt rock legends Collective Soul took the stage on Tuesday, October 20th at the legendary Palace Theatre in Albany, NY. But it was Plush, fronted by the Capital District’s own Moriah Formica, who were the perfect act to open the evening. The Albany crowd welcomed them with open arms as they tore through a 7-song set starting with “Athena,” from their 2021 self-titled debut album. During the set, my friends and I were discussing how they could have been a fit in any era since the ’70s. I agreed and mentioned that I could completely have seen a double bill tour in 1993, to which he agreed. The only downside would have been the fact that none of these young ladies were born yet. One great thing about them is that they can appropriately open for a band like Collective Soul, who I am sure they admired growing up years past their most commercially successful, leaving hope for Gen Xers to know that there are great bands still to carry the torch.
The final four songs from their set were derived from their album “Mass Hysteria,” which was just released last month. Starting with the namesake of the album, the trio showed off their musicianship that far surpasses their years, as well as killer harmonies on the ensuing “Where Is My Mind” (not the Pixies song), “Severance,” and the set closer ”Animalistic,” the lead single which has already cracked the Top 40 on the Billboard US Mainstream Rock charts.
This was a great evening headlined with now-classic rock staples by the veteran rockers who, as I said, are one of those bands still putting out stellar material. And hearing Plush beforehand gave us in the crowd much to look forward to for the future of our beloved rock and roll.
Photos by Evan Lauber.
