December 13, 2025 – Ovation Hall, Atlantic City NJ
Review by Chris Yates // Photography by Estelle Massry
On a winter Saturday evening in Atlantic City, Bush delivered an amazing performance, wrapping up their 2025 “Loaded: The Greatest Hits Tour” stopping at Ovation Hall with a set that satisfied long-time fans like myself. They were joined by special guest Soul Asylum, and the set list featured classic hits combined with new songs from their album “I Beat Loneliness”.
The approaching first winter storm of the season didn’t deter us from trekking down the Garden State Parkway knowing we would be driving home late night in a wintery snowy, slushy mess as we knew it would be a show we didn’t want to miss.
The evening opened up with a very impressive female act from LA called, DeathbyRomy. I loved their sound and stage presence and how they incorporate haunting vocals and vulnerable, raw lyrics into their heavy beats and textures. Romy Maxine Flores, known professionally as DeathbyRomy possess a genre-bending mix of Alternative Pop, Dark Pop, and Industrial, blending catchy melodies with heavy trap, metal, and electronic beats for a cinematic, gothic sound often called “heavy pop,” influenced by her LA upbringing and dark aesthetic. Definitely check them out if you see them touring or popping up in your home-town.
Following DeathbyRomy was Soul Asylum. I’ve seen them a few times before. This particular appearance set the stage well for the genre of music and entertainment we were about to embark on. Soul Asylum delivered a compact but spirited opening set that energized the crowd and reminded everyone why they’ve remained a beloved act in alternative rock. Leaning into a blend of classics and recent material, the band kicked things off with punchy, gritty riffs that had fans nodding and cheering early on. “Runaway Train” drew one of the biggest reactions, with many in the audience singing along, while other selections balanced nostalgia with a sense of ongoing vitality. Frontman Dave Pirner’s distinctive, raspy voice cut through with confidence, and even in a shorter set typical for an opener, they managed to spotlight both crowd favorites and deeper cuts from their catalog.
From the moment Gavin Rossdale and his bandmates stepped onstage, the room buzzed with recognition and excitement. While I expected an uneven balance of gender due to his popularity with female fans, the crowd was a nice, diverse mix of Gen-Xers who were all there to relive the alt-rock soundtrack of their youth. Despite Bush’s arena-tour pedigree, the venue’s acoustics and sightlines helped make the experience feel intimate and I enjoy experiencing Bush within smaller venues.
Having seen and reviewed Bush a few times before, I knew what to expect from his performance. Rossdale hasn’t lost his energy dancing and bouncing around stage and taking time to engage with his fans while singing. Fans were spirited and sang along with just about every song. A fan favorite moment you can expect from any of Bush’s concerts is when Gavin ventures out into the crowd, greeting adoring fans and posing for some selfies as he passes through.
Bush delivered a robust 18-song set that walked through their career while spotlighting current material. Sounding confident and cohesive, the band balanced fierce rock with slower, emotive moments.
Standout tracks included the opener, “Everything Zen” which emoted raw 90’s energy setting a powerful tone for the evening. “Bullet Holes” and “Machinehead” followed; riff heavy and punchy these tracks kept the momentum strong. The evening continued with Rossdale engaging with fans throughout making eye contact, blowing kisses to adoring fans, and moving from one side of the stage to the other. “Glycerine” appeared mid set ensuring the energy stayed high as Bush continued to deliver the favorites.
Rossdale’s voice carried the familiar growl that’s defined Bush for decades, and even in the quieter moments, he connected emotionally with the audience. While some recent performances on this tour have drawn mixed comments about vocal consistency or reliance on backing tracks, at Ovation Hall his delivery felt solid and earnest. The rhythm section and guitar work were tight. Chris Traynor on lead guitar, Corey Britz on bass and Nik Hughes on drums underpinned each song with the grunge and post-grunge punch fans expect. The transitions between older classics and new tracks felt natural, affirming that Bush still thrives as a live act more than 30 years into their career.
When the encore part of the evening arrived, Bush closed with “Swallowed”, “More Than Machines”, and “Comedown”. The vibe at Ovation Hall the entire evening was one of community — a cross-generational crowd united by the music. Calls of beloved choruses echoed through the venue, and there was a genuine warmth in the air as Rossdale closed the evening and acknowledged the fans’ loyalty throughout the decades.
Bush’s December 13, 2025 performance at Ovation Hall was an engaging and spirited rock show. It honored their legacy without feeling like a simple nostalgia act, offering energy, musicianship, and a setlist that delivered both timeless hits and contemporary offerings. Whether you came for the memories or to make new ones, the night proved that Bush still has plenty of musical firepower left to share.
For more info please visit: http://www.bushofficial.com http://www.soulasylum.com http://www.deathbyromy.com