Photo by Brian Cranfill
On a gorgeous summer Tuesday evening, Everwise Amphitheater saw the past merge with the present as Bush, Candlebox, Jerry Cantrell, and Tim Montana delivered a high-octane performance that left fans desperate for more.
Tim Montana kicked off the night with a fun and energetic set, setting the tone with his blend of Southern rock and country.
Montana told a story about being from a town of 44 people in Montana, which is currently engulfed by wildfires, so he and his band have been going back home to serve thousands of meals to those in need out of the restaurant Montana owns. He really is the perfect example of a good dude.
His engaging stage presence, down-to-earth persona and infectious enthusiasm warmed up the crowd, and tracks like “Savage,” “Die Today” and “Devil You Know” proved exactly why he’s one of the hottest rising acts in all of rock.
Candlebox took the stage next, bringing a wave of 90s nostalgia, launching into a dynamic set, featuring hits like “Far Behind” and “You,” which had the crowd singing along at full blast. Lead singer Kevin Martin’s voice resonated with emotional intensity, and the band’s tight performance was a testament to their endurance over the decades. With this being one of the band’s final runs, fans were ready to rock out with them and the band delivered.
The anticipation for Jerry Cantrell was palpable as the crowd awaited the Alice in Chains guitarist’s solo set. Cantrell, armed with his signature heavy riffs and brooding lyrics, did not disappoint. With Cantrell rarely hitting Indiana as a solo act, the fans were eager to see what he would do.
Cantrell delivered a powerful set that balanced his solo material with beloved Alice in Chains classics reverberating through the amphitheater, while the fan sang along to every word they knew.
Finally, Bush closed out the evening with a set of fan favorites and hits. Gavin Rossdale and his bandmates ignited the stage with some of the most beautiful production lights, opening with “Everything Zen.” The set was both charismatic and vibing, the band’s high-energy performance making every song feel fresh.
Between Rossdale finding his way into the crowd as he tends to do at most shows to their cover of The Beatles’ “Come Together” to Rossdale’s solo performance of “Glycerine” to the band bringing Cantrell out to close the night with “Comedown,” the show was exactly what everyone wanted from a Bush show and was a hell of a ride from the start of Montana’s set to the end of Bush’s.
-Reggie Edwards