Bush
The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory
Irving, Texas
Photos and article by Artur Barkhman
It was my first time ever at this venue. By looking at the photos, I wasn’t sure what to expect. Once I got there, I understood that it was a large amphitheater. The place was still pretty empty, with maybe a few hundred people in the audience.
First on stage was DEVORA, an artist originally from Arizona. The set was kicked off with “Not Dead Yet” from her debut “Outlaw” EP. She was accompanied by Aaron Michael Brown (guitar) and Stephan Stanzione (drums). Next song was “Body Bag” from the same EP. Then came “Wild West”, “God Is Dead” and “Bonesaw”, all three songs were released in January of this year as part of the “GOD IS DEAD” EP. The set was closed with “Outlaw“, also from the artist’s debut EP. All songs have a pop Country sound, but the lyrics paint a pretty grim picture. The songs are inspired by true, very dark events.
Setlist:
Not Dead Yet
Body Bag
Wild West
God Is Dead
Bonesaw
Outlaw
Next on Stage were Our Lady Peace, a Canadian Alternative Rock band that’s been around for about three decades. The band’s current lineup is: Raine Maida (lead vocals, acoustic guitar),
Duncan Coutts (bass), Steve Mazur (lead guitar) and Jason Pierce (drums).
The venue was filled to maximum capacity. As soon as the band got on stage and opened the set with “The Message”, a song from their latest release “Spiritual Machines II”, the crowd went crazy. Next song was “Superman’s Dead”. Everyone in the audience was singing along with the band. The setlist consisted of 9 songs that spanned the band’s career. Throughout the set, the crowd was singing along or headbanging and having a great time. At one point Raine Maida picked up a megaphone, put a mic right next to it, and started singing. Everyone in the crowd loved it! The band was full of energy and it was felt in the audience. It was a great set!
Admittedly, I have not heard of the band until the night of the show. I have heard a couple of their songs a long time ago, but didn’t know who played them. I would definitely like to see them live again, at some point in the future.
Setlist:
The Message
Superman’s Dead
Innocent
One Man Army
Is Anybody Home?
Drop Me in the Water
Somewhere Out There
Clumsy
Starseed
Headlining the show were BUSH. A band I’ve been a fan of since they released their debut album way back in early ‘90s. I’ve never got a chance to see them live until the day of this show. I was excited with anticipation and hoped that they’ll play some of the songs that I love. The band opened their very energetic, career spanning, 16 song set with “Identity”, a song from the band’s latest release “The Art Of Survival”. Next was “Machinehead”, the song that got me hooked on the music of this band way back in the day. I was in the photo pit, headbanging throughout the song, just like the crowd behind me. I knew I had to shoot the show, but I just couldn’t help myself.
Gavin Rossdale was all over the stage, jumping, running around and just having a blast all throughout the night. At one point, he took off his top shirt and was wearing a pink Sea Of Sound t-shirt for the remainder of the night. Sea of Sound is his clothing line.
While walking around, trying to find a good vantage point to take some of my photos, I saw people in the crowd headbanging, and having a blast! I was in the GA pit when the band started playing “Flowers on a Grave”. Gavin Rossdale jumped off the stage and started walking all around the venue. He got all the way to the back, walked between the rows and everyone in the crowd forgot about the stage, while looking, trying to spot the lead singer. I ran up half way up, hoping to capture at least one photo of him in the crowd. Next song was everyone’s favorite “Everything Zen”. I was singing the song just like the rest of the crowd around me. During “1000 Years” the whole place was lit up with cell phone flashlights. It was an incredible sight!
This night was the last of the band’s spring tour. They definitely gave all they had on that stage, and then some. Though the setlist spanned most of the band’s career, they did focus more on material from their three albums “Sixteen Stone”, “The Kingdom” and the latest release “The Art Of Survival”. I had an amazing time, as a photographer and as a fan! This was truly an unforgettable experience.
Setlist:
Identity
Machinehead
Blood River
Bullet Holes
The Sound of Winter
Flowers on a Grave
Everything Zen
1000 Years Quicksand
Heavy Is the Ocean
More Than Machines
All Things Must Change
Little Things
Encore:
The Kingdom
Glycerine
Comedown
