Gavin Rossdale, lead singer of the post-grunge and alternative rock band Bush, sounded ready to become the Ventura County Fair’s newest ambassador during a hit-filled set that included a midperformance stroll through the crowd to greet fans.
“What a dream,” Rossdale told the crowd July 29 at the fair’s grandstand area, while describing the seaside setting. “I want to play here every night. Anytime we do a show.”
Bush, whose lineup also includes lead guitarist Chris Traynor, bassist Corey Britz and drummer Nik Hughes, mixed late-1990s hits with newer material during its fair performance.
Dressed in black and wearing a sleeveless shirt that revealed tattoos on both arms, Rossdale frequently jumped, waved and smiled at the audience.
The singer was formerly married to No Doubt lead vocalist Gwen Stefani, who grew up in Orange County.
Near the end of the show, Rossdale left the stage and walked through the front of the stage area and into the grandstand accompanied by security. Fans cheered, took photos and attempted to hug the singer as he made his way back to the stage.
“That was insane,” said former Black Flag drummer Bryan Migdol, a musician who has played with Martina McBride and others. “How many times do you see guys anymore going up into the bleachers?”
Bush, which released its debut album “Sixteen Stone” in 1994, performed several hits from the record, starting the evening with “Machinehead” and finishing with “Comedown.”
Before launching into “Glycerine,” another hit from the album, Rossdale thanked longtime fans and newer listeners.
“This song has taken us so many places, and I’m so happy it was right here tonight,” he said as fans screamed and recorded the performance on their phones.
Rossdale, who told the audience he lives about 45 minutes from the fairgrounds, repeatedly praised the setting and crowd, calling both “beautiful.”
Traynor and Britz periodically joined him on the extended portion of the stage, while Hughes delivered an energetic performance behind the drums from start to finish.
Jason McClurg of Ventura said after the concert that he has followed Bush since high school and first saw the band perform in Palo Alto during the 1990s. “Seeing them brought back memories,” he said.
McClurg said he hopes Rossdale and Bush return after the lead singer’s enthusiastic comments about Ventura.
Ashley Lamb, of Camarillo, who had never heard of the band before, said she also enjoyed Rossdale’s comments about the fair’s location.
“I really liked how he kept saying the seaside,” she said. “He was really excited about that.”
Upcoming Ventura County Fair headliners include Marshmello on July 30, Iration on July 31, Jake Owen on Aug. 1 and Ashanti on Aug. 3.
For more information on the fair and headliners, go to venturacountyfair.org.
Wes Woods II covers West County for the Ventura County Star. Reach him at wesley.woodsii@vcstar.com, 805-437-0262 or @JournoWes.
This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Bush wows fans in seaside concert at Ventura County Fair
Reporting by Wes Woods II, Ventura County Star / Ventura County Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Wes Woods II, Ventura County Star | USA TODAY Network
