On Monday, May 12, Schenectady was more than a dot on the map. It was ground zero for a musical earthquake. British rock legend Bush detonated Proctors Theatre with a show that was a resurrection of pure, unfiltered rock energy, wrapped in nostalgia, a night soaked in sweat and lit with the fire of a band still hungry to move hearts and melt faces.
The “Loaded: The Greatest Hits Tour” name promised a barrage of Bush’s iconic tracks and it delivered in full force. From the first growling chord of show opener “Everything Zen”, fans knew they were in for a night of high-octane brilliance.
The song exploded from the speakers like a thunderclap, Gavin Rossdale’s voice razor-sharp and commanding, as Chris Traynor’s dirty slide guitar slithered its way into the bones of the crowd. The years may have passed, but Bush’s sound remains an unrelenting force of nature.
It wasn’t just the hits that made the night unforgettable. There were also magic moments. During “Flowers On A Grave”, Rossdale became more than a myth made of flesh. Leaving the stage, he climbed his way through the aisles like a rock-and-roll phantom. Standing on seat backs, grasping banisters and locking eyes with stunned fans as he sang.
Hands were clasped, hearts were stolen and phones were filming it all in disbelief. For many, that sweaty, surreal and intensely personal moment wasn’t a highlight. It was spiritual.
A few lucky fans even got a handhold from the man himself. Rumor has it they’ll never wash their hands again. And really, who could blame them?
Then came a surprise haymaker. A brand-new track, “60 Ways To Forget People.” It hit like a sneak-attack anthem: aggressive, hook-laden and destined to be a fan favorite. If this is a taste of Bush’s next chapter, then consider us ravenous.
In a crowd-unifying twist, the band launched into a cover of The Beatles’ “Come Together.” Voices rose, strangers became instant friends and the theater transformed into one massive choir.
It was a rock communion, pure and joyous to the point where momentarily, going outside was seriously considered to check for the white election smoke of a new rock and roll Pope.
Then the hush. The lights dimmed, the band stepped off and Gavin stood alone in the spotlight. Just him, his guitar and the aching vulnerability of “Glycerine.”
It was a confession, a lullaby for broken souls. You could hear breaths being held across the room.
The grand finale? “Comedown.” Not so much a song as it was a cathartic release. After a night of visceral highs, it brought the audience crashing beautifully back to Earth.
Every note was a shared experience, carved into the collective memory of everyone lucky enough to be there.
Let’s not forget Filter, who opened the night with their own storm of industrial-tinged aggression. They laid the groundwork perfectly, priming the crowd with a dark stage and a 35 minute setlist full of crunch and charisma.
In a world of fleeting digital moments and overproduced concerts, Bush delivered something real. A raw, immersive and unforgettable evening. The “Loaded” tour is how you honor a legacy while still writing the next chapter. If you missed it, you missed everything, but If you were there, you witnessed rock and roll is very much alive and its name is Bush.
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