Bush along with special guests UK BONES, Candlebox, and Jerry Cantrell brought their Loaded: The Greatest Hits Tour to the Michigan Lottery Ampitheater Friday night celebrating their 30th anniversary. Kicking off the evening was UK Bones a band from Camden Town, London consisting of lead vocalist Rosie Bones and lead guitarist Carmen Vandenberg. First time seeing the band and well the ladies put on the best 25-minute set you will ever see. The six-song set had a bit of pop along with a catchy chorus or two, along with some bluesy rock guitar riffs. The three-piece band is a total must see. The ladies will definitely keep you rocking in your seats.
After a very short break a celebration was about to take place. Candlebox who is celebrating 30 years with the “Long Goodbye” tour or dubbed the “Little Longer Goodbye” tour hit the stage and like past years Kevin Martin and the boys were greeted with some Michigan love. Opening up their set with “Arrow” set the tone for what’s to come, a high energy rock and roll kind of night, now that’s how you open up a set. The 9-song set was filled with all the classics including everyone’s favorite sing-along “Far Behind.” When Candlebox finally does call it quits there will be a lot of sad faces, I’m sure. 30 years of Candlebox will forever be remembered as a rock n roll giant lead by Kevin Martin who is truly a great showman on and off the stage.
Candlebox live at the Michigan Lottery Ampitheatre
As the saying goes ‘Please keep your hands and feet inside the vehicle at all times and enjoy the ride, well that saying was about to be put to good use with guitar legend Jerry Cantrell taking the stage with chants of “Jerry” “Jerry…” By now Freedom Hill was very nicely packed with the crowd growing bigger by the minute. The Alice in Chains guitarist kicked things off with his new single “Vilified.” You were immediately taking down the AIC heavy metal road with this track, with all the great Cantrell riffs, and sounds heavily displayed. Speaking of AIC Jerry let us have it with “Man in the Box” and it didn’t take long for the crowd to help Cantrell along with the vocals. It was the best of both world’s watching Jerry and his band along with his singer Greg Puciato sounding at times like Lanye Staley, and yes that was the word going around the venue as well. Jerry played a lot from his solo catalog while mixing in some AIC like this banger track “Them Bones” one of my favorites from AIC that took the crowd to the next level. Fans from the top of the hill down to the front row were head banging, throwing up the horn signs, and rocking with Jerry, having that goosebump skin kind of moment along the way.
Cantrell gave his fans the ole one-two punch like a great prized fighter would with closing cuts like “Would” “Brighten” and my all-time favorite and probably one of the best songs ever written “Rooster” If this song doesn’t give you a jolt you should give your doctor a call in the morning. The “Rooster” has such deep emotion we all easily connect with, by far the loudest pop of the entire night! Surrounding cities like Warren, Fraser, Troy, and Macomb clearly heard it as well. Take a bow Jerry Cantrell fans you earned this one. Craving more Cantrell look for his new album “I Want Blood” coming out on October 18th.
The 9:15 hour was upon us the stage lighting up blue with Bush drummer Nik Hughes aggressively banging the skins repeatedly all while lathering up the crowd as the rest of the band takes the stage with lead singer Gavin Rossdale coming out last to a loud roar breaking into “Everything Zen.” Rossdale was full of life and loaded with some heavy drive going coast to coast on stage as well as walking the speakers that were lined up the length of the stage. Talk about knocking the crowd out early after “Everything Zen” Bush hit the fans right after with “Machinehead” off the debut album Sixteen Sone followed by “Bullet Holes” Lead guitarist Chris Traynor displayed his true talents on the strings with some crazy solos and playing to the crowd on top of the speakers, with the fans taking in every second of it.
The Loaded: The Greatest Hits Tour had everyone’s hit favorites after favorites like “Swallowed” with Rossdale leading the crowd along the way. Gavin took the time to thank the fans in attendance. The alt-rock legends from London, England are celebrating 30 years with some ass kicking music! Another heater thrown our way came during “The Sound of Winter” Rossdale sounding better than every running deep with emotions. The highlight of the night came during “Flowers on a Grave” remember what i said earlier, Gavin was full of energy. Rossdale burned off some of the energy running clear to the top of the hill and back down all while singing and even swung by my friend’s section Hattie and Dora Stewart who made the three hour and 50-minute drive from Traverse City, Michigan. Both mother and daughter were OMG! is this happening right here. I caught up with them after the show wanting to show me some photos, they took and talk about the incredible night they had. I asked to use one for my review and Hattie said no probably.
The 4-song encore was fantastic with Bush doing a Beatles cover “Come Together” which was phenomenal the Beatles would have been proud. Ending with a couple of bangers “Glycerine” and “Comedown” fans from all around were like sharks luring and wanting more. The tour ends September 21st in Washington, D.C. so you have plenty more chances to checkout this amazing tour in a city near you. Stay young America keep rocking!
Bush Live at the Michigan Lottery Ampitheatre August 16, 2024
