Photos & Words by: Nate Payne
British post-grunge icons BUSH brought the Land of Milk and Honey Tour to The Anthem, delivering a thunderous night of nostalgia and raw energy that reminded Washington, DC exactly why the band remains one of alternative rock’s most enduring live acts.
The evening began strong with opening acts from Mammoth and James and the Cold Gun, both serving up high-octane performances that primed the crowd for the main event. Under a haze of fog and low, moody lighting, the silhouettes of the band emerged into position. Then came the unmistakable opening notes of “Machinehead,” blasting through the heart of The Anthem and instantly igniting the crowd. It was a powerful opening statement, echoing countless shows across decades of performance.
BUSH launched into “Prizefighter” and “More Than Machines,” sling-shotting the audience into a set that combined new material with the classics that built their legacy. This show marked the band’s second headlining performance at The Anthem in just three years, following their February 2023 stop during The Art of Survival Tour.
Frontman Gavin Rossdale commanded the room with his signature intensity, moving effortlessly between gritty vocals and genuine crowd connection. One of the night’s standout moments came during “Flowers on a Grave,” when Rossdale left the main stage entirely, making his way to the venue’s second-floor balcony to sing among fans. The spontaneous singalong transformed The Anthem into something unexpectedly personal.
The setlist flowed seamlessly between eras, allowing newer tracks to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with fan favorites from the band’s legendary catalogue. By the time they closed the main set with “Little Things,” the audience was already cheering for more.
Their encore delivered exactly that. The tour’s namesake, “The Land of Milk and Honey,” surged with fresh urgency before giving way to two of the band’s most beloved anthems, “Swallowed” and the unforgettable “Comedown,” satisfying the crowd until the final notes rang out.
For millennial fans especially, the night was a full-force reminder of an era when alternative rock ruled the airwaves. BUSH supercharged The Anthem, proving once again that some bands never lose their high-voltage impact.
Bush continues the land of Milk and Honey Tour in the US until May 4th when they’ll transition to their European tour kicking off on June 6th. For more information about Bush, please click on the links below.
BUSH Social Media
BUSH: The Land of Milk and Honey Tour | The Anthem | Washington, DC | Nate Payne Photography | 4.9.26
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