Post-grunge British icons Bush brought The Land of Milk and Honey Tour to The Complex in Salt Lake City on May 1st for a night packed with heavy riffs, massive singalongs, and a reminder that the band is far more than just a nostalgia act.

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With two rising rock bands opening the evening, it would have been easy to assume this tour was simply another legacy band revisiting the past, but Bush quickly put that notion to rest.

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While the band’s catalog helped define rock in the ‘90s, Gavin Rossdale continues to push Bush forward rather than rely solely on past success. The tour comes in support of their latest album, I Beat Loneliness, and Rossdale seems as driven creatively now as ever before.

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When announcing the album Rossdale explained, “I’m at a great crossroads, I know what I want and what I like, and while I’ve carved out a space in this crazy world, I’m still in awe of how massive and endless music can be and I love to continue to do what I do.”

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That passion continues to connect with fans. Bush recently scored their eighth No. 1 single on US Active Rock Radio with “The Land of Milk and Honey,” proving the band still has a firm place in modern rock.

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Opening the evening were Welsh rockers James and The Cold Gun. Unfortunately, we only caught the tail end of their set, but what we heard was pure rock and roll energy. Their sound carries that modern classic rock revival style that’s helping keep rock radio alive while introducing a younger generation to riff-driven music.

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Next up was Mammoth, formerly known as Mammoth WVH, fronted by Wolfgang Van Halen. From the moment they hit the stage the energy level inside The Complex jumped dramatically.

The band delivered one of the tightest and most technically impressive sets of the night. Heavy riffs, massive hooks, and polished musicianship filled the venue as Wolfgang continued proving he’s carved out his own identity in rock music rather than simply leaning on his legendary last name.

This marked our fourth time seeing Mammoth live, and each performance shows his growth. Wolfgang’s confidence and stage presence continue to evolve with every tour. While his musicianship has never been in question, he now looks increasingly comfortable commanding a stage, and the fans are clearly responding.

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Following a lengthy set change, anticipation inside the venue continued to build for Bush as fans grew restless waiting for the lights to finally dim.

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The second the band walked onto the stage, the atmosphere inside The Complex exploded and once the opening notes of “Machinehead” hit, it was full throttle for the remainder of the night.

Rossdale controlled the stage effortlessly. Between his nonstop movement, dancing, crowd interaction, and unmistakable vocals, he reminded everyone exactly why he became one of the defining frontmen of the ‘90s and why he continues to remain relevant decades later.

One thing Bush consistently gets right live is the vocal mix. In an era where many rock concerts bury vocals beneath overpowering instrumentals, Bush keeps Rossdale’s voice front and center. Every lyric, every quiet moment, every story and every emotional transition came through crystal clear throughout the night.

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The setlist balanced new material with fan favorites and deep cuts. Songs from the new album including “The Land of Milk and Honey,” “I Beat Loneliness,” “Scars,” and “We Are All The Same On The Inside” were met with loud reactions from the crowd, while longtime fans erupted for deeper tracks like “Ghosts in the Machine,” “Human Sand,” and “Float.”

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Classics such as “Everything Zen” and “Glycerine” transformed the venue into one massive singalong as fans screamed every word back toward the stage.

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In perhaps the biggest highlight of the night Rossdale left the stage and made his way into the crowd. Singing among the fans, he stopped to high five, hug, and interact with concertgoers as the audience surrounded him from every direction.

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Bush closed the night with “Comedown,” sending the crowd into one final emotional singalong as fans held onto every word and every moment before the lights finally came up on another unforgettable night of rock in Salt Lake City.

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Upcoming tour dates

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5/06 – Oshkosh, WI – Oshkosh Arena
5/08 – Bonner Springs, KS – Azura Amphitheater
5/09 – Camdenton, MO – Ozarks Amphitheater
5/12 – Hollywood, FL – Hard Rock Live
5/13 – Clearwater, FL – The Sound
5/15 – Franklin, TN – FirstBank Amphitheater
5/16 – Columbus, OH – Sonic Temple Festival (Historic Crew Stadium)*
*BUSH only