FEBRUARY 23rd, 2026
LIKE A ROLLIN' THUNDER TOUR

 Review by Steven Richard Hensey

Photos by Peter Ruttan

http://www.metaltitans.com/concertpics/like-a-rollin-thunder-tour/

Walking into the Rogers Arena felt like stepping back into the late ’90s, when post-grunge ruled modern rock radio and every chorus was built to be shouted by thousands. As someone who listened to that era, this lineup felt personal: Econoline Crush, Big Wreck, and headliners Live. It wasn’t just a concert—it was a reminder why this era of music gripped us and ruled the air waves.

Econoline Crush kicked things off with a dark, fun energy that immediately set the tone. Trevor Hurst still commands the stage with that cool, slightly mysterious presence, and the band leaned hard into their industrial-tinged edge. The guitars were gritty and the beats driving and relentless. When they launched into “All That You Are (X3),” the crowd’s reaction proved how deeply that track still resonates. There’s something about their blend of electronic textures and heavy guitars that feels distinctly Canadian and distinctly late ’90s—in the best way possible. From my spot halfway up in the lower bowl, I could see heads nodding in unison, people already on their feet. It was early, but the energy was real.

Then came Big Wreck, and the musicianship was on point. I’ve always admired Ian Thornley’s voice on record, but hearing it live is powerful yet controlled, gritty but melodic. The band stretched songs out just enough to let the guitars breathe without losing momentum. “The Oaf (My Luck Is Wasted)” hit like a punch of nostalgia. Thornley’s solos weren’t just technical exercises; they felt emotional, almost unhinged. Big Wreck’s set had that perfect balance between heaviness and atmosphere. The lighting shifted into deep blues and purples, giving everything a moody moment, and the arena started to feel less like a hockey venue and more like an intimate rock cathedral.

By the time Live took the stage, Rogers Arena was buzzing as it has been 20 years since we've seen them. The roar that erupted when the curtain dropped was deafening. Ed Kowalczyk walked out with a calm confidence, greeting the crowd like old friends. And that’s exactly what it felt like—reconnecting with a band that soundtracked so many formative years.

They opened strong, immediately tapping into the emotional core that defines their music. When the opening chords of “Lightning Crashes” rang out, the reaction was amazing. Fans carried that chorus, and for a few minutes, it didn’t matter who you came with or where you were sitting—we were all locked. Live has always had a spiritual, searching quality to their sound, and in a massive arena setting, it somehow felt even more intimate.

“Lakini’s Juice” brought a heavier edge, reminding everyone that Live can snarl as well as soar. The guitars had a thick, crunchy tone that filled every corner of the venue, and the rhythm section drove the song forward with force. As a fan of post-grunge, this is what I live for—that combination of melody and muscle, introspection and intensity.One of the highlights for me was “I Alone.” That riff is timeless, and hearing it echo through Rogers Arena gave me chills. Throwing Copper was a album I listen too in 1994 on a regular basis an d was thrilled to hear live. You could see strangers turning to each other, shouting lyrics with huge grins on their faces. It’s rare to feel that kind of communal energy, especially in such a large space, but Live managed to create it.

The production was polished but not overdone. The lighting design complemented the mood of each song without distracting from the music. No flashy gimmicks, no unnecessary spectacle—just solid alt rock performance. That’s something I appreciate as a fan of this genre. Post-grunge has always been about authenticity, about channeling real emotion through loud guitars and soaring vocals. This show delivered exactly that. For a fan like me, who still believes post-grunge deserves more credit than it often gets, this night was a reminder of why the genre matters. It’s not just nostalgia. It’s the way these songs still hit, still connect, still feel honest. All bands brought the heart. Together, they turned Rogers Forum into a shrine for a sound that refuses to fade away.