University of North Carolina Athletics
Collective Soul To Hit Chapel Thrill Concert Series Saturday, Oct. 25
October 9, 2025 | Football
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – American rock band Collective Soul is set to take the stage in Polk Place Saturday, Oct. 25 before Carolina's football game against Virginia as part of the Chapel Thrill Concert Series presented by The Rams Club.
The free concert will take place approximately 2 hours prior to kickoff (the game time at Kenan Stadium has not yet been announced) directly in front of Wilson Library, in the heart of the University of North Carolina's campus.
Since launching a major label career in 1994, Collective Soul has charted a path that most rock bands dream of but only few achieve. They cut through a noisy 1990s rock scene with a knack for stick-to-you-like-glue melodies, roof-shaking guitars and a touch of Southern grit.
Behind enduring singles like "Shine," "December" and "The World I Know," the band hit the ground running for what would not be a short-lived sprint, but a steady marathon of uncompromising—and always catchy—albums. Since launching, they've become one of the most reliable rock bands in America, a tried-and-true force in a world often defined by turmoil and turbulence.
Chapel Thrill Concert Series Schedule
Sept. 1 – Chase Rice
Sept. 13 – John Stone
Oct. 4 – Ludacris
Oct. 25 – Collective Soul
Nov. 8 – TBA
Nov. 22 – TBA
Collective Soul will take the stage in front of Wilson Library and perform a free pre-game concert beginning around 2 hours before kickoff against Virginia. The final two performers of the 2025 season will be announced at a later date.
Chapel Thrill Game Day presented by Frost Buddy
The full Chapel Thrill Game Day presented by Frost Buddy experience, also includes the Old Well Walk, which returns for Carolina's game against Virginia on Oct. 25. Approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes before kickoff, the team will walk from the Old Well through Polk Place and around the Bell Tower to the stadium, allowing fans enjoying Chapel Thrill Game Day to cheer on the team as the Heels prepare for the game.Â
In addition to the concert series, The Modelo Kickoff Club has doubled in size and moved to a premium position in front of the stage within Polk Place. The Kickoff Club remains the perfect spot for fans to grab a drink before the game. Entry is free, and alcohol will be available for purchase. Food trucks will also be available in and around Polk Place along with large LED screens. Â
UNC will work with its tailgate activation partner REVELxp to execute Chapel Thrill Game Day and will provide turnkey tailgating on all four quads at the Bell Tower, the Kenan Amphitheater and Dorrance Field. Fans may upgrade their game day with hassle-free, full-service tailgates at some of the most scenic locations on campus by contacting REVELxp at 919-869-5486 or unc@revelxp.com. Click here for more information.
Carolina alumni also continues to host the pregame tradition of climbing 128 steps from the ground floor to the fourth floor of the iconic Bell Tower before home football games. Â
Meanwhile, the Coca-Cola Fan Zone, located in The Pit, remains a great place for fans to grab giveaways and enjoy fun activities for all ages. The area features kids' activities, golf simulators, bounce houses, sponsor activations, autograph sessions with UNC student-athletes, a large LED screen and more.Â
Pre-game areas open four hours before kickoff with the following timeline :Â
Four hours prior to kickoff
•  Modelo Kickoff Club and tailgating open; Chapel Thrill DJ beginsÂ
• Coca-Cola Fan Zone opensÂ
Two hours and 30 minutes prior to kickoff (Clemson)
• Old Well Walk beginsÂ
Two hours prior to kickoff
•  Chapel Thrill concert in Polk PlaceÂ
One hour prior to kickoff
• The Marching Tar Heels perform in The PitÂ
30 minutes prior to kickoffÂ
•  Modelo Kickoff Club and Coca-Cola Fan Zone closeÂ
Fans looking for tickets to any of the Tar Heels' home games can visit SeatGeek, the official marketplace of Carolina Athletics.
More on Collective Soul
For multi-Platinum Atlanta rockers COLLECTIVE SOUL--Ed Roland (vocals/guitar), Dean Roland (rhythm guitar), Jesse Triplett (lead guitar/background vocals), Will Turpin (bass/background vocals), Johnny Rabb (drums/background vocals)—seeing eye to eye, and ear to ear, is part of the secret sauce of why the band continues to both record and play together after 30-plus years. They've sold over 15 million albums worldwide--six of which have gone Gold or Platinum—and boast seven #1 singles, including "Shine," "December," and "The World I Know." They're now giving fans an insight into that musical world with the release of their first-ever documentary, Give Me A Word: The Collective Soul Story, which will be released July 8 via Trinity Content Partners. The trailer can be seen now on the band's official YouTube page. Directed by Joseph Rubinstein and produced by Greg Richling and Jonathan Sheldon of Pfonetic, the film will be available to purchase on DVD and Blu-ray July 8 as well as on the band's official website, while fans can watch on demand (VOD) via Amazon (North America), among others. It will be available for streaming later this year.
Give Me A Word: The Collective Soul Story tells the band's untold history: the family component to the band, the creativity, and the wisdom that has been hard won over their illustrious career. It was filmed at Elvis' Palm Springs, CA estate in early 2023 during the recording of the band's latest album, HERE TO ETERNITY (COLLECTIVE SOUL is the only other music artist besides Elvis to ever record at the historical landmark). Not only does the film contain footage of the recording process, it also features archival footage throughout the band's career dating back to the band's early days. Give Me A Word: The Collective Soul Story is the definitive feature-length documentary about COLLECTIVE SOUL.
"It's an honor and privilege," said the frontman and songwriter behind the Georgia-born band known for a bedrock of time-tested hits. "It's that simple. Just being able to do what you love, it's an honor and a privilege."
In the same year the band celebrates three decades of music making, COLLECTIVE SOUL returns with what may be its most ambitious project to-date: HERE TO ETERNITY, a double LP cut at Elvis Presley's estate in Palm Springs, CA. They're the only other music artist to ever record at the historical landmark. With sharp, polished rock riffs and Roland's signature wise-to-the-world storytelling, HERE TO ETERNITYÂ plays like a full throttle COLLECTIVE SOUL album from the moment it begins spilling out of stereo speakers.