Bush | FACE IN THE CROWD

Bush Loaded : The Greatest Hits Tour Arrives in Lewiston, NY

Bush brought their greatest hits tour to Artpark on a humid Saturday night in Lewiston, NY. Celebrating 30 years of chart topping music, the four piece band was greeted by an enthusiastic sea of fans. Jerry Cantrell, Candlebox and Bones UK had revved up the crowd before Bush took the stage, making for a fantastic evening of music.

***Gavin Rossdale, Bush – Artpark, Lewiston, NY***

The day started off with severe thunderstorms and many were concerned the show would be canceled seeing as they were performing at an outdoor venue. However, just before gates opened the storms seemed to subside and left Lewiston with a sunny, albeit humid, evening for music.

The evening started with the 3 piece Bones UK, quickly followed by Candlebox, who last played the Buffalo, NY area roughly 11 years earlier. Their 45 minute set focused heavily on their debut album. They put on an amazing, nearly-perfect performance and it is sad to think this might be the last time we get to see Candlebox, as they announced their retirement tour, The Long Goodbye, last year.

Jerry Cantrell solo project followed Candlebox and the crowd went wild as the guitarist took the stage. His band played a great mix of his solo catalog and of course a handful of Alice in Chains hits. Cantrell performed for just under an hour and treated the crowd to Rooster as he closed his set.

Bush hit the stage and the place erupted with the first chord of Everything Zen played out. Gavin Rossdale seemed to have the energy and stage presence of a man 30 years younger, as he danced and bounced around the stage belting out song after song. Rossdale expressed how much it means to them to have such support from the fans. Grinning ear to ear for most of the evening, as he strummed guitar along with fellow band members – guitarist Chris Traynor and bassist Corey Britz and drummer Nik Hughes.

Songs like Swallowed, Machinehead, and Sounds of Winter, showcase the signature sound and consistency that has led the hits of Bush to remain so timeless over the last three decades. The personal highlight for me was their performance of The Chemicals Between Us. At one point in the evening, Rossdale jumped down off the stage and sang Flowers on a Grave while mingling amongst the crowd of attendees. Glycerine was saved for the encore and showcased Rossdale, alone on stage with his guitar for an emotional and profound performance of, arguably, the band’s most popular song.

Bush made it abundantly clear that they have established an enduring legacy of rock and overall musicianship. Any opportunity you get to catch them live, you should definitely seize. Personally, I feel Bush’s performance was one of, if not thee, highlight of this summer’s concert events in Western New York.