By: Michael Bragg (Photo Gallery & Review) of MJBragg Photography
Charlotte, North Carolina (April 19, 2018) – In support of their newest album, Black and White Rainbows, English alternative rock band Bush brought their current tour to The Fillmore Charlotte, Charlotte, NC. With a career spanning 26 years and7 studio albums, the band continues to tour and draw large crowds. Tonight was no different, with Big Jesus and Atlas Genius joining as support acts, the venue was packed with excitement.
Hailing from Atlanta, Georgia, the band Big Jesus opened the show with an 8-song set. Performing songs from their album, Oneiric, the group quickly got the crowd worked up with songs like “Lock & Key” and “SP“. Filling the room with cranked-up, fuzzed-out guitars courtesy of CJ Ridings and Tommy Gonzalez, thundering drums from Blake Gamel, and solid low-end bass work, Big Jesus came out to prove a point leaving nothing behind. Lead singer and bassist Spencer Ussery mentioned this was their second time playing at The Fillmore, their first being as a support act for Good Charlotte, and how they loved the energy of the room. Finishing their set with “Oneirica”, the crowd of new fans were left wanting more as the band made their way to the merch booth to shake hands and take pictures.
Next up, all the way from Adelaide Australia, was Atlas Genius, featuring brothers Keith (guitar/vocals) and Michael Jeffery(drums). Blending these instruments with the use of keys and synthesizer to create many layers of sound, the band captured the audience’s attention from the start. The group performed songs from both of their albums, When It Was Now, which charted at number 34 on the U.S. Billboard charts in 2013, and their second album, Inanimate Objects. Atlas Genius easily held the crowd’s attention with originals like “Molecules“, and “If So“, before breaking mid-set into a cover of the classic 80’s hit song, “You Spin Me Round” by Dead or Alive, putting a modern twist on the well-loved tune. The band closed out their set with two of the group’s most popular songs, “Molecules” and “Trojans“.
After a short set change, the sound of loud distorted guitars breaks through the crowd’s chatter as headliners Bush take the stage. Launching headfirst into their first single, “Everything Zen“, the band wasted no time letting you know you were at the right place for a rock show. Many bands take a few songs to ramp up the energy of the show, but Bush started strong and never let up the whole night. The only low-key moment of the night was when the group played “Alien“, a softer song, from the group’s debut album. The current lineup features original frontman and guitarist, Gavin Rossdale, along with Robin Goodridge on drums, guitarist, Chris Traynor, and bassist, Corey Britz, who has been with the group since 2010. Building a setlist that focused on the group’s most successful album, Sixteen Stone, the band showcased compositions from most of their 7 albums much to the crowd’s delight.
The group played audience favorites “Greedy Fly” and “Swallowed” from Razorblade Suitcase. Energetic numbers such as “The Chemicals Between Us“, “The Sound of Winter” and “Little Things” had the fans in a frenzy all night jumping up and down with fists in the air. Featuring songs “Nurse” and “This Is War” from the group’s newest release, Black and White Rainbows, that encompasses the group’s signature 90’s sound, Bush continued to hold a strong presence all night with a great visual light show and a level of crowd interaction that I haven’t seen from a big touring band in a long time. Rossdale stepped off stage several times to get closer to the fans in the front few rows, later taking a dive into crowd surf, joining in with fans for sing-a-long moments as he walked through the venue; even bumping into me at one point! As the band played an extended version of “Machinehead“, Gavin climbed over rails, stood on chairs and tables before heading back to the stage to finish off the night.
An unexpected cover of REM‘s “The One I Love” was next and openly welcomed by the fan-filled room. The band then left Gavin alone on stage with just his guitar as he led the crowd into an intimate, acoustic performance of “Glycerine“, breaking it down to sing acapella partway through the song. Then came the rolling bass intro to “Comedown“, as the band came back out to close out the set.
Bush, Big Jesus, and Atlas Genius provided a night of live entertainment that left my ears ringing with the sounds of great new music, as well as some old favorites. Catch Bush this summer out on The Revolution 3 Tour with Stone Temple Pilots and The Cult.
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Copyright – Michael Bragg/MJBragg Photography
