- Bush w/Mammoth and James and the Cold Gun
- 05/06/2026 - Oshkosh Arena - Oshkosh, WI
- ©Justin Nuoffer
On a gorgeous day in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, the sun was shining, and warmth finally returned to the pavement. The revitalization of the downtown area along the Fox River, nestled between Lake Winnebago and Lake Butte des Morts, has been years in the making, but it is quickly becoming a destination. The Oshkosh Arena plays a major role in that new energy. Home to the Milwaukee Bucks’ G-League affiliate, the venue is no stranger to drawing crowds. The marquee on the side of the building proudly displayed both Bush and Mammoth alongside the tour title, “The Land of Milk and Honey.”
Outside, the large parking lot was filled with fans gathering for small pre-show parties. The VIP entrance at the back of the venue had a steady flow of people coming and going. At the front stood a large glass cube housing security, ticket scanning, and the box office. Straight ahead was the tour merchandise setup, packed with shirts, hats, and collectibles in countless designs and colors.
From there, fans passed through two wide openings draped with curtains that blocked out the hallway light. The stage sat almost directly beside the entrance into the arena, giving fans an up-close view of the bands’ gear and equipment near the barricade. The arena itself featured a traditional horseshoe seating arrangement with chairs covering the floor. VIP decks occupied each upper corner, while another VIP section stretched along the back wall. The layout was unique and provided strong views from nearly every angle.
Opening the night were South Wales rockers James and the Cold Gun. They exploded onto the stage with “Split Second,” a cover by Hometown Crew. From the first guitar strum, the band felt like a full-throttle rock and roll machine. Following up with “Twist the Knife” and “Fragile,” their original material connected instantly with the crowd. Fans in the front rows abandoned their seats and lined up against the barricade.
Frontman James Joseph was constantly moving across the front edge of the stage, engaging with fans and repeatedly thanking everyone for arriving early to catch their set. Beside him, guitarist James Bliss and bassist Gaby Elise brought nonstop energy. Elise danced and whipped her hair around throughout the performance, while Bliss remained locked into his playing on the left side of the stage. Behind them, drummer Ben Hawkins-Mead hammered away from a cramped spot surrounded by equipment. You may not have been able to see him clearly, but you definitely heard him.
Check out the James and the Cold Gun concert photo gallery below:
James and the Cold Gun closed out their set with “Above the Lake,” “Guessing Game,” and “Chewing Glass.” They also worked in a cover of Echo & the Bunnymen’s “Lips Like Sugar,” which had fans singing along loudly. All in all, the band delivered an incredibly active, entertaining, and spirited performance that suggested a bright future lies ahead.
Bathed in orange light pouring from the back of the stage, Mammoth made their entrance next. Wolfgang Van Halen’s solo project turned full-fledged band has experienced a rapid and impressive rise. The arena was packed, and fans filled every section. Opening with “One of a Kind,” Mammoth immediately put Oshkosh on notice. They came to rock and have a good time.
Armed with his well-worn EVH SA126 gold guitar, Wolfgang Van Halen let his musicianship speak for itself. Mammoth tore through “Another Celebration at the End of the World” and “The Spell” with ease. At one point, a small scuffle broke out near the barricade, prompting Wolfgang to pause briefly and tell the crowd to “grow the fuck up” before reminding everyone to simply have fun. The arena erupted in cheers.
This was a classic rock show where the music and sound mattered most. Every second of the performance felt intentional. Songs like “Epiphany” and “Happy” showcased the sheer power of the band, while the layered vocal harmonies added extra depth throughout the set. Surrounding Van Halen was a lineup packed with talent. Guitarists Frank Sidoris and Jon Jourdan each had moments to shred and show off their technical abilities. Behind them, bassist Ronnie Ficarro and drummer Garrett Whitlock held everything together. Ficarro constantly moved around the stage, dancing through every song, while the chemistry between the entire group stood out from beginning to end.
One of the evening’s biggest surprises came with “Distance,” the emotional song written for Wolfgang’s late father. Standing alone beneath a spotlight, he began singing with a clarity that exposed every crack of emotion in his voice. The crowd understood the significance of the moment. Once the band joined in, the song swelled into something massive. Looking around the venue, fans sang along and swayed together. After introducing the band, Mammoth launched into “Don’t Back Down” from 2021’s Mammoth WVH.
While 2025 delivered many excellent albums, The End stood among the best, and the closing song of Mammoth’s set served as its lead single. Before beginning, Wolfgang addressed the crowd once more. “How’d we do? You guys have a good time? Are you well and sufficiently warmed up for Bush?”
Cheers and laughter erupted throughout the arena. Then, without warning, the intricate finger-tapping intro began to echo through the speakers, reminding everyone just how important legacy can be while still carving your own path. Van Halen’s voice sounded rich and soulful. Every lyric carried meaning, and every guitar downstroke had weight behind it. This was not simply a rock concert. It felt like a masterclass in modern rock performance.
Check out the Mammoth concert photo gallery below:
The impact and legacy Mammoth carries are enormous, but they continue to forge their own identity. Fans clearly understand and appreciate that. The music feels genuine, heartfelt, and built for massive stages.
As a cover of “Glycerine” played over the PA system, blue and purple lights flashed across the back of the stage while dark shadows filled the gaps between them. An industrial-style intro signaled Bush’s arrival before they exploded into “Machinehead” from Sixteen Stone. Instantly, the entire arena rose to its feet screaming. Since 1994, Bush has consistently drawn this exact reaction.
The rush of nostalgia only intensified as “The Chemicals Between Us” followed. Then band founder Gavin Rossdale stepped to the microphone. “Welcome to the Land of Milk and Honey tour. Good to see everyone. I love this fucking venue. It’s great. Here is ‘The Land of Milk and Honey.’”
The title track from their 2025 album I Beat Loneliness arrived early in the set. Soon after, Bush rolled through “We’re All the Same on the Inside” and “Scars.” The newer material was embraced immediately. Fans across the arena sang along to emotionally charged lyrics centered on mental health and personal struggle. Beneath the polished rock hooks sat a genuine emotional depth that Rossdale delivered with passion and conviction.
Guitarist Chris Traynor frequently wandered across the left side of the stage, dressed casually in denim and a large bucket hat. His playing was sharp and precise, while his demeanor remained calm and effortless. With a few quick strums, he launched the band into classic Sixteen Stone tracks “Little Things” and “Testosterone.” The lighting shifted constantly to match the rhythms and tones of each era in Bush’s catalog.
Two massive lighting panels lined the back of the stage, one elevated several feet above the other, creating layered shapes and patterns that moved across the performance space. At the center sat drummer Nik Hughes atop a high riser, powering through the set with relentless force. On the opposite side, bassist Corey Britz danced around the stage while adding backing vocals that gave the songs additional harmonic depth. Fearless in his approach, Britz often stepped right to the edge of the stage to interact with fans.
As the set continued, Bush mixed in newer tracks like “May Your Love Be Pure” and “Ghosts in the Machine” from The Art of Survival and The Kingdom. Fans from every generation of the band’s career danced throughout the aisles and seating sections. Then came “Glycerine,” a song Rossdale credited with taking the band around the world. Standing alone beneath a spotlight with only his guitar, he delivered the opening verses before the rest of the band joined in to elevate the song into a full arena moment. More than thirty years later, the track still resonated deeply.
Yet Bush’s newer material carried equal weight. “Human Sand” from The Art of Survival shifted the night’s energy again as younger fans flooded the aisles dancing alongside longtime followers. Rossdale moved constantly across the stage while Bush continued into “I Beat Loneliness,” the title track from their latest album. The song’s themes of depression and mental health hit hard. Rossdale’s voice carried real pain and emotional exhaustion that felt impossible to ignore.
After a brief pause for band introductions, fans slowly moved closer to the stage. Then “Flowers on a Grave” began, and Rossdale jumped off the stage entirely. He wandered throughout the arena, moving from floor seats to the upper sections while singing directly to fans. At one point, he climbed onto a chair in the back party deck area and performed from above the crowd. Along the way, he handed out hugs and high fives and even shared a beer with a fan. It was the kind of moment people will remember for years.
Check out the Bush concert photo gallery below:
Following all the chaos and excitement, Bush stepped aside for a brief encore moment while Rossdale remained alone at center stage beneath rotating white lights. He began singing “Swallowed” with orchestral backing filling the arena. The stripped-down arrangement transformed the song into something entirely different. For decades, fans had known the Razorblade Suitcase classic one way, but Bush proved that great songs can evolve over time. The performance was stunning and may have overshadowed the final two songs, “More Than Machines” and “Comedown.”
Overall, the creativity and innovation displayed throughout the evening reinforced why Bush remains such a powerful live act. Their catalog of hits is undeniable, and their influence stretches across decades. Packing an arena in a smaller Wisconsin city speaks volumes. The Land of Milk and Honey tour delivers pure nostalgia while still embracing the present. Fans came to relive old memories, but they also left dancing to the new songs.
Catch Bush on the Road…
