Bush’s Loaded: The Greatest Hits Tour, Bringing the 90s to Today 

Aspen Rose 

Music Journalist 

Ever wonder what it’s like for hugely successful bands to rock on 30 years after the prime of their careers? Though some artists embrace time’s inevitable changes and refuse to look back, others relive the head-banging years. In 1994, Bush’s debut and most popular album, Sixteen Stone, came hurtling from across the pond in London to puncture Seattle, Washington, soundwaves. It featured well-crafted post-grunge anthems like “Glycerine” and “Comedown” that would solidify Gavin Rossdale’s band alongside huge names like Soundgarden and Pearl Jam. His songs of dissatisfaction, violence, and hardship in youth culture connected with Gen X. Stripped-down chord progressions and heavy, distorted guitar hooks only intensified emotions for listeners. Commercially, the album was certified 6x Platinum in the US, earning a Grammy nomination for Best Rock Performance in 1998, and cementing hit singles as radio station staples. 

Unfortunately, as the music industry continued to hurtle through the years, Bush’s initial success in the mid-90s ultimately became their peak. The genre eventually faded off by the time the 2010s came around. However, the shift did not mark an end on the tombstone for all post-grunge bands. Many rockers still reminiscent of their old subculture felt an old flame reignite with the announcement in January 2024 of Bush’s latest tour. Honoring the 30th anniversary of the album that started it all. Loaded: The Greatest Hits Tour would kick off in July and set out reuniting fans beside two other major Seattle artists of the era, Jerry Cantrell and Candlebox. The three artists linked arms in support of each other, ready to give it their all. Cantrell once played alongside Layne Staley, making up one of the most legendary grunge bands in history, Alice in Chains. Their hard-hitting songs like “Rooster” and “Would?” defined the period with Staley’s distinctive vocals and Cantrell’s metal riffs. Candlebox, led by Kevin Martin, would be opening the show. Candlebox quickly rose to success with their debut self-titled album (1993) for songs like “Far Behind” and “You” that rode high on the passing post-grunge Seattle wave. Together, the mighty lineup would spark feelings of youth and belonging that had once felt so familiar decades before. 

On Sept. 5, I had the honor of attending one of these remarkable shows in downtown Houston at the 713 Music Hall. Though the crowds now need to phone babysitters and spend extra time rummaging through their closet for their old band tees, the venue was packed, and comradery was high. While merchandise of the bands was on the backs of many, fans also showed up with t-shirts that nodded to other 90s cohorts, like The Smashing Pumpkins. The sense and image of a community became most apparent during a mashup of grunge hits that played over the speakers as members of Candlebox began taking their places on stage. It felt as though the crowd of thousands became one regardless of age as we all joined in unity to sing the outro guitar melody of Pearl Jam’s powerful 1991 song, “Black.” 

The spirit of kinship wound its way up on stage later that night, where Rossdale led Bush through an intense cover of one of The Beatles’ most notable songs, “Come Together.” Having a history of advocating for concord all the way back to the days of Woodstock ‘99, Rossdale took this opportunity to once again spread a pure message of peace and love. And though it did not occur that night in Houston, other shows of the tour have featured harmonious moments where lead members of the bands join up on stage to sing each other’s songs. In an industry exceptionally fast-paced and single-minded, often intercepted by hungry critics and media, the artists have stood together, side by side, to uplift each other and audiences. 

As I watched hands swaying in the air throughout the night, a powerful sense of appreciation radiated from the performers. They poured their hearts out to everyone down below, and while they have each gone on to release numerous albums since the start of their careers, they appeared to understand the weight of their “greatest hits”. In return, the audience thanked the bands for continuing to deliver fully energized performances of songs they have most likely sung hundreds of times over the years. I was surrounded by people of vastly different stories, all eager to re-embrace the same words that characterized their youth. A unique moment of connection transpired between those in the pit and Rossdale during Bush’s “Flowers on a Grave.” A tradition for his shows, Rossdale made his way through the crowd, followed by a team of security guards as he sang out the song’s metaphors of self-discovery and pain to everyone around him. The venue had lit up and every person in Rossdale’s path was electrified with excitement to be standing face-to-face with a voice that had guided their generation.  

After the concert, I spoke with Ashley H., a 41-year-old attending the show who had been in high school at the time of the bands’ major successes. For Ashley, Bush is nostalgia, they symbolize the early memories where “you didn’t have an adult, and you didn’t have kids or a whole lot of responsibilities. [The memories felt] Carefree.” Similarly, in a moment between songs during his set, Rossdale had exclaimed, “this collection of songs is just a reflection of that time, and it’s just great to be with you guys.” By the end of the night, my ears rang, and my throat felt rough, but an assuring cloud hung high above everyone’s heads, marking this show as a symbol of reunion and compelling culture  

So, what does the future look like for these bands? It is to be expected that many listeners are solely dedicated to the albums they already know and love. In interviews, however, Rossdale has described himself as having a relentless work ethic that forces him to keep moving rather than dwelling on the past. After all, since Sixteen Stone, he has released eight studio albums at the front of Bush. Plus, coming off of Candlebox’s 2023 album, and awaiting Cantrell’s highly anticipated upcoming album, there is much to listen to and look forward to in 2024. As a faithful lover of rock of the 90s, I hope the success of this tour serves as a reminder to bands that while their original fans remain, new fans continue to enter the scene every day. And on the flip side, I think the audience witnessed an accurate representation of why not to give up on old, beloved bands that are still rocking 30 years past their prime.