Everything Zen at Brooklyn Paramount: Bush Headlines 2026 Tour

Last year, when iconic ‘90s band Bush came to New York City, it was to open for Shinedown at Madison Square Garden. They tore through an eleven-song set to a packed arena, but it felt like a teaser. Not nearly enough!

This time, they came back as headliners, touring to promote their 2025 album, I Beat Loneliness, bringing along Mammoth and James and the Cold Gun. Brooklyn was the third stop on the tour, at the newly restored Brooklyn Paramount, filled all the way to the back of the floor and throughout the balcony.

I’ll say this upfront: skipping openers is a mistake. I’ve discovered a lot of great music by arriving early, and I like seeing who the bands I respect choose to bring on the road. But on this night, I was genuinely looking forward to both sets. I was curious about James and the Cold Gun, and I knew Mammoth would be great after catching them (then Mammoth WVH) when they opened for Foo Fighters in 2024. Both bands showed up with serious energy, and a lot of loud guitars.

James and the Cold Gun’s put together a well-shaped set, opening with a punch, slipping into a more introspective stretch and then finishing strong.

Mammoth was heavier, with three guitars on stage, including Wolfgang Van Halen. Yes, THAT Van Halen (his kid), and there was no mistaking it when they closed with “The End,” which beings with a very Eddie Van Halen-style shred, which Wolfgang played on his yellow EVH guitar.

Before Bush took the stage, the house cut the music to play the AI version of “Glycerine” by “The Professor” Nick Harrison (“What if ‘Glycerine’ was classic soul?”) that’s been circulating on social media. There’s plenty of debate to be had about AI, but Bush themselves liked the post and played it at the show, so safe to say they’re into it. It was a playful, unexpected way to kick things off.

From there, Bush launched into a tightly curated 16-song set, followed by a three-song encore. Rather than leaning heavily on the new album, they pulled from across their catalog, opening and closing with hits from their 1994 debut album. What stood out most was how seamlessly the newer material fit in, even though the lyrics are definitely more personal. Sonically, they have the same DNA -- catchy hooks, heavy distorted guitars and big power chords. Even songs I didn’t know felt familiar. And while some of the older tracks are unmistakably ‘90s, they don’t feel dated. The band still feels very modern and relevant (which is not true of every ‘90s band).

One of the most fun moments came when Gavin Rossdale jumped off the stage and moved through the crowd during “Flowers on a Grave,” just as he did last year at Madison Square Garden. The fans loved it.

Chris Traynor (guitar) and Corey Britz (bass) matched Rossdale’s energy all night, constantly moving and engaging the crowd. And Nik Hughes, on what might be the tallest drum riser I’ve ever seen, plays with an intensity that’s hard to look away from.

The Land of Milk and Honey tour continues across the U.S. through mid-May.