BUSH / SOUL ASYLUM – LIVE AT MOHEGAN SUN ARENA
By Ralph Beauchamp
Bush brought their high-powered “World Tour 2025” to a sold out Mohegan Sun Arena with Soul Asylum as direct support.
Let’s begin by saying that Soul Asylum’s set at Mohegan Sun Arena felt like a reminder of how durable guitar-driven rock can be. Especially when delivered without pretense. From the opening chords, the band played with a looseness that suggested confidence rather than complacency. Immediately, Soul Asylum leaned into the grit that has always defined their sound. The acoustics of the room worked in Soul Asylum’s favor. It allowed lead vocalist and guitarist Dave Pirner’s voice enough space to breathe while still letting the band hit with punch and power.
Soul Asylum’s set began with “The Only Thing I’m Missing” with “Somebody To Shove” and “Misery” following. The band’s chemistry was especially striking. Ryan Smith on lead guitar was imposing. Every riff and solo rang true. Jeremy Tappero’s bass laid down sonic grenades while Michael Bland on drums nailed every fill. Every song balanced a rawness with supple melody.
“Just Like Anyone” ran into “Black Gold” and Soul Asylum’s huge hit, “Runaway Train”. By this time, the audience was really feeling the vibrant groove the band was laying down. When the crowd recognized familiar riffs, the response was instant. But Soul Asylum never coasted on recognition alone. Even deeper cuts carried weight. The room fed off Soul Asylum’s energy creating a shared momentum that built steadily through the set.
The final stretch of the set yielded “Trial By Fire”, “Freeloader”, “Made To Be Broken” and “April Fool”. The entire show was filled with straight-forward rock & roll. There weren’t any flashy visuals – just songs, sweat and sincerity. With Soul Asylum, there was no sense of nostalgia-for-nostalgia sake but a performance that felt lived-in, not preserved. It left an impression that Soul Asylum remains a vital live act still capable of wowing listeners of all ages.
As soon as Bush hit the stage, the arena burst into heartfelt applause. The crowd response suggested this wasn’t a casual night out but a shared release for fans who have lived Bush‘s songs for decades. Right from the beginning, the band exuded a profound intensity. There was an electricity flowing through the air.
Once again, Mohegan Sun Arena’s clean acoustics gave the opening riffs real depth. The opening notes of “Everything Zen” set the room on fire. Gavin Rossdale remains a compelling frontman. He easily balanced his swagger with a sense of cinematic innocence. His voice, roughened slightly by time, actually added character to his performance. Rather than overplaying theatrics, Rossdale let the music do the work. He paced the stage and engaged the audience with an understated charm. The crowd loved every moment.
The setlist smartly mixed expected anthems with newer songs. It kept longtime fans engaged while avoiding a greater-hits autopilot feel. Every song felt present and alive. The newer material never felt like filler. It held its own and showed Bush‘s continued creative pulse.
“Blood River” led into “Machinehead”, “The Land of Milk and Honey” and “Greedy Fly”. All the while, Chris Traynor (Lead Guitar) played with an emotional fire. Corey Britz (Bass) dropped thundering bass lines while Nik Hughes’ percussions demanded attention. Transitions between songs were tight. It gave the show a momentum that never really dipped.
Other highlights included an amazing cover of The Beatles’ “Come Together” and Rossdale singing “Glycerine” solo. “Heavy Is the Ocean”, “I Beat Loneliness” and “Flowers on a Grave” closed out the main set. During “Flowers on a Grave”, Rossdale ran throughout the venue, getting hugs and high fives as he sang. It was pure elation. Bush encored with Rossdale, once again, singing “Swallowed ” solo. The band finished off with “More Than Machines” and “Comedown”.
Visually, the production was effective without being overwhelming. Lighting cues enhanced the mood rather than distracting from it. It shifted from sulky shadows to explosive bursts at just the right moments. Mohegan’s intimate but polished atmosphere worked in Bush‘s favor. The arena felt personal even as the sound filled the large room.
By the end of the night, Bush proved they’re not just surviving on past laurels but actively honoring it through strong and disciplined performances. For fans of all ages, the Mohegan Sun Arena show delivered exactly what a rock concert should: energy, connection and the sense that for a couple of hours, nothing else mattered.
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2 thoughts on “BUSH / SOUL ASYLUM – LIVE AT MOHEGAN SUN ARENA”
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It’s impressive that Gavin Rossdale is still going strong at 60!
Damn, I didn’t realize he was 60. The whole performance was excellent.