The Colosseum at Caesars Windsor was rocking to the sounds of Gavin Rossdale and Bush this past Thursday, September 14 with special gusts, LaSalle’s own Autumn Kings.
Emerging to the sonic crunch of “Identity” from their latest album, “The Art of Survival,” Rossdale bounded across the stage, as if no time had passed since he first founded the band alongside original guitarist Nigel Pulsford three decades ago. Fast forward to today, and Rossdale stands as the sole remaining original member. However, the devoted fans who filled the Colosseum at Caesars Windsor weren’t concerned with the lineup changes. Although the original configuration disbanded two decades ago, the charismatic frontman Rossdale remained the primary reason many fans gathered.
Often drawing comparisons to Nirvana when they initially journeyed from the UK to perform for American audiences, Bush cultivated a distinct sound and identity, disregarding critics’ remarks. They openly acknowledged Nirvana as an influence. While Nirvana has faded into history, Bush has endured and evolved, with their recent music sporting a notably harder edge. Tracks like “Identity” and “More Than Machines” showcased their rock prowess, and the audience at The Colosseum reveled in it, passionately singing along with both the new songs and the hits that solidified the band as one of the first successful post-grunge acts.
The setlist struck a fine balance between newer material from their last two releases and all the beloved classics. Songs like “Machinehead,” “Greedy Fly,” “Everything Zen,” “Little Things,” and a poignant moment during “Glycerine” stood out. For the latter, Rossdale took the stage solo and encouraged fans to “turn on your lights,” resulting in many in the crowd holding up their cellphone flashlights while singing along. It was a nostalgic nod to the days when concertgoers would sway with cigarette lighters in hand, despite the known risks of smoking and fire. Today’s concerts may be more sterile and controlled, but there’s a yearning for that raw connection.
All in all, this was an exceptional performance, a testament to how live shows should be executed. The production exuded just the right amount of spectacle, and Gavin’s vocals were as strong as ever. His energy and ability to captivate an audience remained undiminished. His habit of traversing through the crowd during performances, a rarity among artists, was executed masterfully. The most successful artists forge a personal connection with their fans, and Rossdale is undoubtedly a master at it. Here’s to hoping for many more years of Bush’s music, as they continue to rock the world.
Opening the evening was LaSalle, Ontario band Autumn Kings, who last graced the Colosseum stage in 2019, opening for another LaSalle band, The Tea Party. The group delivered a stellar performance, showcasing their original compositions alongside a couple of cover songs. Their rendition of “Livin’ la Vida Loca” prompted the person beside me to ponder, “Who did it better?” They also delivered an impressive rendition of Aerosmith’s “Dream On,” a song known for its vocal challenges, but lead singer Joseph Coccimiglio nailed the high notes with passion.
All photos by Dan Boshart – 27th Floor Photography
Bush
Autumn Kings
Set List
- Identity
- Machinehead
- Bullet Holes
- Greedy Fly
- Quicksand
- Heavy Is the Ocean
- Flowers on a Grave (Gavin came into the crowd)
- Everything Zen
- Warm Machine
- The Sound of Winter
- More Than Machines
- All Things Must Change
- Little Things
- Glycerine
- Comedown
