Collective Soul “Shined” Playing at The Washington County Fair

Gabriella
Jul 30
3 min read

Friday July 24th 2026

Washington County Fair, West Bend, WI

A warm summer night in West Bend Wisconsin brought flocks of people to the Washington County Fair for a day of rides, food, and most importantly: rock. Along with special guest Fuel, indie rock icons Collective Soul headlined the night at the, “Silver Lining Amphitheater.”

The Washington County Fair has always been rooted in the formation of the Washington County Agricultural Society in 1855. It was first held in 1858 and has long reflected the heritage and spirit of West Bend. After surviving financial hardship and relocating from Slinger to its current Fair Park near West Bend in 1999, the fair has grown into one of Wisconsin's largest county fairs.

Wisconsin county fairs as a whole have evolved from agricultural exhibitions into major community celebrations. While early fairs focused on showcasing livestock, crops, and farming innovations, they also featured brass bands, local musicians, and community dances. Over time, live entertainment became a defining attraction, with county fairs across Wisconsin hosting nationally recognized country, rock, and pop performers alongside local talent.

Fuel kicked off the evening with a straightforward, rock set that reminded the crowd why the band became one of the defining post-grunge acts of the late 1990s. Formed in Tennessee in 1989, Fuel broke into the mainstream with Sunburn before cementing their place in rock radio history with 2000’s Something Like Human, powered by massive hits like “Hemorrhage (In My Hands),” “Bad Day,” and “Shimmer.”

As the sun dipped behind the hill and the carnival lights lit up, Fuel wasted little time getting the audience involved. Fans lined the barricade while others settled into lawn chairs and blankets scattered across the amphitheater hill, creating the perfect county fair atmosphere.

Lead singer Aaron Scott paraded around stage with the confidence he’s known for. Fist bumping fans, waving, and even borrowing a fans phone to record a quick video before giving it back, Scott certainly knows how to connect with a crowd. The band leaned heavily into the songs that made them household names, with “Shimmer” drawing one of the night’s biggest singalongs before “Hemorrhage (In My Hands)” closed out the set.

Fuel Setlist

1. Intro

2. Last Time

3. Won't Back Down

4. Shimmer

5. Bittersweet

6. Falls on Me

7. Drum Solo

8. Untitled

9. Innocent

10. Bad Day

11. Hotel California (Eagles cover)

12. Want It

13. Prove

14. Hemorrhage (in My Hands)

Following a quick 30 minute changeover, Collective Soul took the stage to a loud welcome from a crowd that had continued to grow throughout the evening. Since forming in Stockbridge, Georgia, in 1992, the band has become one of rock’s most enduring acts. Originally launched as a solo project by vocalist Ed Roland, Collective Soul exploded after “Shine” became an unexpected radio hit, leading to a string of platinum-selling albums throughout the 1990s. Songs like “December,” “The World I Know,” “Gel,” and, “Heavy,” helped establish the group as one of the defining alternative rock bands of the decade, and more than 30 years later, they continue touring with much of the same chemistry that built their reputation.

Rather than relying solely on nostalgia, Collective Soul delivered a polished, energetic performance that showed why they have remained a consistent touring act for decades. Ed Roland’s unmistakable voice and aesthetic carried across the Silver Lining Amphitheater, while the rest of the band kept the stage constantly moving, feeding off one another throughout the night.

Even in the relaxed setting of a county fair, the band approached the performance like a full concert, with extended jams, crowd interaction, and bright lights that didn’t let down till the last note.

The audience responded with every familiar chorus. Their iconic song, “Shine” had fans singing along from to every word throughout the grounds, nearly everyone in attendance was on their feet, singing every word back to the stage. It was a fitting finale for a band whose biggest hit still resonates more than three decades after its release.

The Washington County Fair may celebrate agriculture first, but nights like this have become just as much a part of its tradition. Between Fuel’s hard-hitting opener and Collective Soul’s hit-filled headlining performance, the Silver Lining Amphitheater once again proved that county fairs can offer more than carnival rides and cream puffs, they can also deliver iconic rock celebrations.