Nico Vega and Gavin Rossdale Live
June 7th House of Blues, Anaheim CA
Gavin Rossdale and opening act Nico Vega turned the House of Blues into a red-hot firestorm. The former Bush frontman brought back their 90’s hits and even covered an acoustic version of a Stevie Nicks classic. Rossdale and company made their final stop on tour in Orange County to a raucous crowd in Anaheim who witnessed downright rock n’ roll drum-kit destroying mayhem.
Los Angeles trio Nico Vega kicked off the festivities. Lead singer Aja’s vocal chops pierced the ears of everyone in attendance and even those peering over the balcony heard her loud and clear. The live performance of Vega’s single “Beast” was massive and Aja sung her ass off. The intense lead singer channeled the legendary Janis Joplin and even their songs sounded like jams from the late 1960s-early 70s. At one point, Aja laid flat on her back for a good two to three minutes during a killer instrumental solo. She wore a long regal coat, channeling her inner rock goddess. If that were not enough, Aja brought a girl up on stage to dance with her like hippies on acid. Nico Vega performed a memorable set that got the crowd pumped and ready to rock.
Before the main event, the initials, “GR” appeared in the backdrop of the small stage. The crowd anxiously awaited the charismatic English frontman and their wish was granted in a very dramatic fashion. The venue fell into darkness and an electronic voice summoned the band on stage. Once the spotlight came on, the ladies made their presence known with their screaming and swooning for the ridiculously good-looking Gavin Rossdale. Wearing a leather jacket, his brooding stare captured the naughty imaginations of women, but he was more than just a pretty face- he played the guitar and sang his heart out. In fact, his voice sounded just like the record.
However, the first song of the night had technical difficulties. The microphone cut in and out at one point but the problem disappeared toward the end of the song. Rossdale oozed sex appeal and it felt like every girl was undressing him with their eyes. Not to mention, the lighting effects were incredible and it matched the energy of each song perfectly. For instance, the Bush classic, “Machinehead” had a terrific lightshow and the crowd lit up as well as they sang along to every word. The performance of “Chemicals Between Us” matched the same energy as well.
During one point in between songs, Rossdale acknowledged a couples’ quarrel in the pit and in the most polite English sentiment, he pleaded that they make up. The diverse crowd clapped and the show continued to rock the house. Even Rossdale confessed much to the delight of his fans, “[I’m] fresh and ready and I could play for hours.” This enthusiasm included singing covers such as “Landslide” by Stevie Nicks. He stripped it down with an acoustic guitar and everyone sang along like it was a beach bonfire. This was the first of many great performances that night. The first smash hit by Bush “Everything Zen” was the second highlight. In fact, Rossdale made a real show of it- he jumped off stage and ran his guitar against a wooden column. Somehow he managed to balance on to something and then hold on to the side of that column. Regardless of the execution, it was a beautiful thing.
Rossdale was the consummate performer in every sense of the word. Not only did he look the part, he played it. The way he interacted with his band mates and moved around the stage with Mick Jaggar swagger won the crowd over. It was sensory overload during the song “Adrenaline” and it definitely got the blood-pumping. Not only did the song jack up the crowd, the performance even caused Rossdale to have his very own clichéd rock star moment, falling on the drummer and destroying the drum set. But that did not signal the end of the show because Rossdale came back for more. Alone on stage with his electric guitar, the showman sang “Glycerine,” arguably one of the defining songs of the 90s grunge era. Speaking of that decade, Rossdale was a visual feast singing Bush song “Comedown” for the last performance of the night.
Being a part of the British post-grunge movement during the 90s, Rossdale cannot escape his past or the lens of the paparazzi with his superstar wife Gwen Stefani. However, he is capable of having a damn good solo career. The proof was in the pudding or in the performance of “Love Remains the Same” from his current album Wanderlust. In the end, it was a marriage of the old and new stuff; yet another exciting chapter in the life of an true artist.
–Gail Navarro