Heading to “The Land of Milk and Honey” with Bush, Mammoth & James and the Cold Gun

Embarking on an amphitheater and mid-sized concert hall tour is always a daunting task for bands.

Those on their way up are perpetually excited, as it represents their first giant leaps into notoriety, and those with serious road miles on their tires are often happy to feel the familiar rush of screaming fans waiting to hear the opening chords to songs that hold deep personal connections. This tour bookends both levels of that experience, and on May 5, they brought the collection to the Vibrant Arena in Moline, Illinois.

Opening the night was James and The Cold Gun. Based in Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom, the band centers on co-founders James Joseph (vocals and guitar) and James Biss (guitar). Gaby Elise brought a high-energy presence on bass, while Ben Hawkins-Mead held everything together on drums.

With two full-length albums and an EP in their catalog, the quartet warmed up the crowd with ease. While many in attendance were unfamiliar with the act, the seven-song set list quickly won people over. Tracks such as “Split Second,” “Above the Lake,” and “Lips Like Sugar” resonated almost immediately.

While they have a unique sound, the songs fit the evening like an old sweater you thought you had lost—perfectly.

It is not an easy job to get a crowd amped up for the main act, but James and The Cold Gun did it effectively. Bush could not have picked a better opener for this tour.

In the middle slot was Mammoth. Fronted and formed by guitarist and singer Wolfgang Van Halen, the band also features Frank Sidoris and Jon Jourdan on guitar—yes, three guitarists. Additionally, Ronnie Ficarro handles bass, and Garrett Whitlock is on drums.

A band packed with talent, Mammoth has developed a distinct identity. While traces of Wolfgang’s musical lineage are present, the sound is unmistakably their own. Three albums deep, they pulled material from across their catalog.
They took the stage under strong backlighting that remained throughout the set. “One of a Kind” opened the performance.

As a featured track, some in the audience began singing along while others simply moved with the music. The set continued with “Another Celebration at the End of the World,” “Epiphany,” “Don’t Back Down,” and closed with “The End.” Mammoth’s eight-song set fit the middle slot perfectly.

One notable observation was Wolfgang Van Halen’s focus on his instrument and limited engagement with the crowd or photographers. Often obscured by his hair, it was clear the music felt deeply personal, adding an air of mystery to the band’s stage presence.

After a 30-minute changeover, it was time for Bush.
Opening with an intro version of “Machinehead,” Bush took the stage under brilliant side lighting and bright backlighting highlighting drummer Robin Goodridge. Guitarist Chris Traynor and bassist Corey Britz took their positions as the intro built, while frontman Gavin Rossdale made a subtle entrance. The anticipation in the arena was palpable as the crowd sang along.

After briefly addressing the audience, the band launched into “Bullet Holes” and “Quicksand” with intensity. Traynor and Britz performed with precision, while Goodridge remained as steady as ever on drums.

Before “The Sound of Winter,” Rossdale commented on the Midwest heat, referencing the band’s day off. He then introduced the tour title, “The Land of Milk and Honey,” to a strong crowd reaction.

During “Everything Zen,” Traynor encouraged crowd participation, and the audience responded enthusiastically. Rossdale later reminded the crowd, “We all come from different walks of life… let’s come together and celebrate music.”

At one point, Rossdale stepped offstage to interact with fans during “Flowers on a Grave,” taking time to acknowledge individuals along the barricade, including handing a bouquet of flowers to a young fan.

Returning to the stage, Rossdale incorporated his signature movement and energy before closing the 16-song set. The encore included “Swallowed,” “Little Things,” and “Come Down.”

While not every fan knew every lyric, the performance carried enough energy from both the band and longtime supporters to fill the arena as the evening came to an end.

The tour continues through mid-May before Bush heads overseas. Whether for a first concert or a thousand-and-first, this show proved to be well worth the price of admission.

For tour dates and more info: https://www.bushofficial.com