It’s The Land Of Milk And Honey At The Complex On May 1st

All Live Photos By Breezy Bird Photography
Band Photo Credit: Chapman Baehler

Originally slated for the larger Maverik Center, BUSH’s May 1st stop on the Land of Milk and Honey tour in Salt Lake City was moved just days before the show to The Complex. Yeah, it was a little frustrating at first, but it ended up being quite a blessing. While some fans pointed to slow ticket sales, the show also landed on the same night as a Utah Mammoth playoff game, which likely pulled part of the crowd. Either way, the smaller venue worked in BUSH’s favor, creating a packed, high-energy atmosphere that felt far more personal than an arena ever could. Before the music even started, I feel it’s important to give credit where it’s due: the staff at The Complex are consistently some of the best around. From parking to will-call to security, everyone was friendly, efficient, and actually seemed to care about our experience. That kind of service makes a huge difference, and this venue gets it right.

Opening the night was JAMES AND THE COLD GUN, the Wales-based group led by James Joseph on vocals and guitar. While their sound leans gritty and retro, it never feels dated. They’re more like a modern band that just happens to love old-school rock. Gaby Elise brought serious personality on bass, her long blonde locks flying as she fully owned the stage, while James Biss channeled a straight-up ’70s rock vibe on guitar. Benny Mead masterfully grounded the beat on drums. I went in not knowing what to expect and walked away genuinely impressed. The 30-minute set was raw, energetic, and instinctively set the tone early.

• “Split Second”
• “Twist the Knife”
• “Fragile”
• “Above the Lake”
• “Guessing Games”
• “Cut the Brakes”
• “Chewing Glass”

After a brief intermission, next up was MAMMOTH (formerly MAMMOTH WVH), led by Wolfgang Van Halen, who astonishingly handles nearly everything in the studio himself. The man is talented beyond belief as a multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and singer. Live, he’s backed by a killer lineup consisting of Ronnie Ficarro on bass, Garrett Whitlock on drums, Frank Sidoris and Jon Jourdan on guitar.

Together, they delivered a tight, polished set that showcased Wolfgang’s range as a guitarist, vocalist, keyboardist, and songwriter. The dim, inconsistent lighting unfortunately didn’t do them any favors. While the lackluster lighting didn’t overshadow the performance, it could have been so much better. The emotional peak of the set came with “Distance,” Wolf’s tribute to his late father, Eddie Van Halen. Phones and lighters filled the air, and for a few minutes the whole room felt connected. It was easily one of the most powerful moments of the night, bringing a tear or two to my eyes. After this brief 8-song appetizer, Mammoth definitely earned a spot on my playlist.

Setlist:

• “One of a Kind”
• “Another Celebrations at the End of the World”
• “The Spell”
• “Epiphany”
• “Happy:
• “Distance”
• “Don’t Back Down”
• “The End”

By the time Bush hit the stage, the place was packed. As I looked around the room it was astonishing to see that the crowd was all over the map in the best possible way. I saw kids at their first show standing next to fans who’ve been there since the ’90s. That kind of diversity is the lifeblood of the rock music we know and love. For it to flourish in a world full of noise and angst, it’s important for us to embrace the collective love of something that is bigger than us all. Something so powerful that it brings us together rather than tearing us apart. Music is the ultimate equalizer where, for just a few hours, we all share a singular alliance.

Fronted by Gavin Rossdale on vocals, alongside Chris Traynor on guitar, Corey Britz on bass (wearing the best shirt ever), and Nik Hughes on drums, BUSH proved why they’ve maintained relevance after nearly four decades. They balanced classics and newer material without ever losing momentum. Whether it was a semi-acoustic version of “Swallowed” or a heart-pounder like “Comedown,” the energy never dipped. Rossdale, as always, was completely locked in, charismatic, engaging, and clearly still loving every second of the performance. From his quirky dance moves to his obvious fan connection, he remains a magnetic frontman.

The setlist was dynamic but “Flowers on a Grave” brought it to a higher level. Rossdale jumped off the stage and spent the entire song weaving through the heart of the crowd, turning the performance into something much more immersive and unforgettable. This type of connection is seldom experienced during large-scale rock shows, which makes it even more special when it happens.

Setlist:

• “Machinehead”
• “Chemicals Between Us”
• “Blood River”
• “Everything Zen”
• “The Land of Milk and Honey”
• “Quicksand”
• “Float”
• “Ghosts in the Machine”
• “Same on the Inside”
• “Scars”
• “The Sound of Winter”
• “Human Sand”
• “Glycerine”
• “More Than Machines”
• “Flowers on a Grave”
• “I Beat Loneliness”
• “Swallowed”
• “Little Things”
• “Comedown”

By the end of the night, any frustration about the venue change was long gone. Bush sounded incredible, the crowd was all in, and the whole show felt alive in a way bigger venues rarely achieve. What started as a financial and logistical inconvenience turned into one of those nights you’re glad didn’t go as planned. For those of you that feel BUSH is partly to blame for the fall of rock, you’re right. But all good things must eventually come to an end. To me, BUSH represents one of the best bands to come out of the grunge era. They helped pave the path for the transition from hair bands to alternative rock, opening the door for much of the new music we appreciate today. The days of flannel are long since gone, but they will forever define my generation for better or for worse. Even after all these years, I’m thrilled to say that BUSH still brings a performance that is worth the money and the time.

Remaining Tour Dates:

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

JAMES AND THE COLD GUN

MAMMOTH

BUSH