Bush/Chevelle/Filter at The Masquerade (Oct. 18, 2011)

99X has put up the review, but I will post the whole article here. I was lucky enough to take photographs for the concert and the Bush Meet and Greet for 99X. I have to say that meeting Bush was an awesome experience, and they couldn't have been more gracious.

Here's the review:

Tuesday night’s downpour didn’t keep poncho-clad fans from pouring into the Masquerade Music Park for Bush and Chevelle with Filter concert. Luckily, the rain let up for in time for Filter to take the stage. Filter had the duty of getting the crowd charged for the rock heavy line-up, and it wasn’t long before everyone was singing/screaming along with singer Richard Patrick in true mosh pit fashion. Patrick, who grew up in Kennesaw and still holds onto a southern twang, absorbed himself in the Atlantan crowd for much of the set by standing up against the railing and shaking hands with fans. Bassman Phil Buckman came out shirtless and ready to impress with a muscled body despite being 41 and moved his pecs to the beats of the music. Filter kept the crowd pumped with heavier rock beats, but did not fail to play the softer sounding “Hey Man, Nice Shot” and “Take A Picture” songs that everyone knows.

Chevelle helped continue the testosterone-infused energy permeating through the mass of people with their own hour long set. Fog, green spiraled lasers, and flashing lights decorated the band as they performed well-knowns “Send The Pain Below” and “The Clencher.” Singer Peter Loeffler chose to lend his guttural screams to “Sleep Apnea” and “Forfeit,” which is supposedly about overzealous concert mosh pitters such as Tuesday night’s show.

After two great heavy rock sets, and fans screaming for Bush singer Gavin Rossdale to come out, the alternative-rock band meandered out on stage around 8:45pm and led into oldies “Chemicals Between Us” and “Machinehead.” After Rossdale’s stint as a solo artist, Bush has come back together to tour and promote their new CD release The Sea of Memories, which has been received well in the alternative music world. Rossdale reminisced on his previous times to the Masquerade mentioning, “Place is filled with memories for me. I feel like I’ve been here a million times…It’s good to see you.” Getting into the groove of the songs with bouncing and head-banging, he donned his jacket and let his hair down literally to lose himself in the music and jam sessions with returned Bush guitarist Chris Traynor. The band showed true appreciation for its fans, as Rossdale seemed in awe of introducing the new single “Sound of Winter,” stating “I have this insane, manic, pleasure to introduce the number one song in the country, and that’s factual and not egotistical.” Sweaty and rain-drenched bodies bounced along with orange jack-o-lantern styled balloons included to commiserate the festive mood. Bush played some songs from the new album like “All Night Doctors,” a ballad about wasting life while bassist Corey Britz played the piano. However, Rossdale wanted to make sure he included songs that shot Bush to stardom in the first place, reassuring his fans, “I’m going to play the old songs and the new songs. I’m never going to let you down. I swear.” Encore included Beatles cover “Come Together” and Bush’s earlier singles “Glycerine” and “Comedown.” True rock fan Liza Palmer, 25, enthusiastically gave her opinion on the night’s concerts claiming, “Filter was old school. Chevelle was fucking awesome, and Bush is even better than both put together.” Each band could easily have headlined themselves, but thankfully decided to tour together bringing a stacked lineup for budget-conscious wallets. Congratulations to Bush for returning to the stage where they rightfully belong.

Here are some photos from the concert:

You can see more photos of the concert at the 99X site.