TUCSON — The stifling humidity of the desert air wasn’t enough to deter the crowds from assembling at AVA Amphitheater on Sunday to see a pair of alt-rock legends. Bush and Live have spent the summer criss-crossing the United States on the ALT-imate tour, celebrating the 25th anniversary of their respective breakthrough albums, and fans were eager to sing along with the hits.
After a brief animated intro breathed life into the cover art of Throwing Copper, Live took the stage and immediately launched into “All Over You,” following up with the record’s first single, “Selling the Drama.” Frontman Ed Kowalczyk then spoke about some of the bands that had influenced Live’s sound before segueing into a spirited cover of R.E.M.’s “Losing My Religion” — a move that could almost be seen as a playful nod to Bush, whose cover of R.E.M.’s “The One I Love” has been a longtime staple of their own live show.
Live also served up their rendition of The Rolling Stones’ “Paint it Black,” eliciting a sing-along from the audience. Not that fans didn’t get into the act for Live’s own material, mind you — they were just as eager to belt out the lyrics to “I Alone” and “Lakini’s Juice” right along with Kowalczyk.
Photo Credit: Brent Hankins
Live Setlist
All Over You
Selling the Drama
Losing My Religion (R.E.M. cover)
Shit Towne
The Dolphin’s Cry
Paint It Black (The Rolling Stones cover)
Lakini’s Juice
I Alone
White, Discussion
Heaven
Turn My Head
Lightning Crashes
Ominous clouds had assembled overhead by the time Live’s set had concluded, but fans hoping for some real-life thunder to go along with “Lightning Crashes” were left wanting, as the rain was kept at bay. Luckily, the arrival of Bush — heralded by the unmistakable opening guitar riff from “Machinehead” — acted as a force of nature all its own. Lead singer Gavin Rossdale hopped and spun all over the stage, his trademark gravelly rasp sounding every bit as powerful as it had 25 years ago.
The set featured all five singles from the band’s debut effort, Sixteen Stone, including the ballad “Glycerine” — which Rossdale performed by himself — and “Little Things,” which saw Rossdale leaving the stage and making a lap through the crowd, while security guards and spotlight operators tried desperately to keep track of him. Bush also worked in their latest single, “Bullet Holes,” featured on the soundtrack to John Wick 3: Parabellum, and a pair of songs from their electronic-infused third album, The Science of Things.
The ALT-imate tour continues its run for another two months, and fans in Arizona can look forward to another stop at the Comerica Theater in Phoenix on October 21.
Photo Credit: Brent Hankins
Bush Setlist
Machinehead
This Is War
Everything Zen
The Chemicals Between Us
The Sound of Winter
Warm Machine
Bullet Holes
Little Things
Glycerine
Comedown
Remaining Bush and Live Tour Dates
08/14 – Rogers, AR @ Walmart AMP
08/16 – Tampa, FL @ MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre
08/17 – Miami, FL @ Bayfront Park Amphitheater
08/18 – Jacksonville, FL @ Daily’s Place
08/20 – Atlanta, GA @ Cadence Bank Amphitheatre at Chastain Park
08/23 – Essex Junction, VT @ Champlain Valley Expo
08/24 – Baltimore, MD @ MECU Pavilion
08/25 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Stage AE
08/27 – Allentown, PA @ The Great Allentown Fair
08/29 – Wantagh, NY @ Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater
08/30 – Bethel, NY @ Bethel Woods Center for the Arts
09/04 – Dayton, OH @ The Rose Music Center at The Heights
09/06 – Tinley Park, IL @ Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
09/07 – Allegan, MI @ Allegan County Fair
09/08 – Rochester, MI @ Meadow Brook Amphitheatre
10/10 – San Diego, CA @ North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre
10/11 – Las Vegas, NV @ The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas
10/12 – Salt Lake City, UT @ USANA Amphitheatre
10/15 – Portland, OR @ Veterans Memorial Coliseum
10/16 – Seattle, WA @ ShoWare Center
10/19 – Reno, NV @ Grand Sierra Theatre
10/20 – Temecula, CA @ Pechanga Resort and Casino
10/21 – Phoebix, AZ @ Comerica Theatre
10/23 – Cedar Park, TX @ HEB Events Center