Third time's the charm as alt-rockers Bush prepare yet again for the Under The Southern Stars concert series, touring Australia in March.
After two years of postponements and uncertainty, Bush frontman Gavin Rossdale is relishing their long-awaited return to the land that live music forgot."I think it's going to be really emotional, for me anyway," Gavin says.
"It will be very emotional to walk out on to the stage and play, because I haven't done it for two, two and a half years, so it will just be a big sense of relief."
That relief will be shared by thousands of concert goers when Under The Southern Stars hits the stage, featuring Bush alongside Cheap Trick, Stone Temple Pilots, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Rose Tattoo and Electric Mary.
Under The Southern Stars will be Bush's first major live outing since the outbreak of COVID-19, which has halted any sincere plans to perform for the past two years.
While the downtime has given him the opportunity to spend more time with his three sons, Gavin says getting back to live performance will restore a sense of normalcy to the world for many people.
"Not knowing when we were ever going to play again but not complaining about it because people have been dying, and you'd be an idiot moaning about how you can't prance around onstage.
"But at the same time, I almost have no recollection of that, it feels like such a distant memory – getting on a plane and getting a hotel room, going onstage," he says.
"I lived that life for so long and it's been a weird couple of years. I've never travelled so little. That in itself was a luxury for me on a personal level, getting to be with my boys.
"But mate, to be down there playing and the noise and the wind and the sun and the sweat, really cold beer and sunshine and music. We're just looking for a good time."
It's been five years since Bush were last in the country, performing as part of the Soundwave 2017 tour of which Gavin has particularly fond memories.
"It was so good, we had sideshows that we're mega," he says. "We played with Staind; brilliant theatre shows. They were those old theatres with the three or four levels packed.
"I was like 'This is brilliant, we've got to come back in like six months! We need momentum, momentum, momentum.' Then I couldn't get arrested to come out here," he laughs.
"We haven't given Australia any love for ages. I've always felt we haven't been there enough, but then I feel like we haven't been anywhere enough.
"Great memories and such a longstanding history. I'm a big Nick Cave fan, so just the idea of Australia is a bit romantic to me.
"I love the people, I like the food, I like the weather in March, and I love the festivals.
"There's nothing better than being onstage playing a song that you believe in, and the wind is blowing your hair, the sweat is dripping. It always makes me feel so alive and it's not a feeling I've felt in a long, long time."
Under The Southern Stars audiences will be treated to an eclectic set list from Bush spanning their 2020 album 'The Kingdom' and of course, the requisite much-loved hits that made them a staple of Australian radio airplay.
"We've got this new record that we brought out called 'The Kingdom', which we've never played live," Gavin says.
"There's a good chance we'll play five or six of those songs and then a bunch of songs that people would know because that's what you have to do at festivals to a certain degree.
"I'm sure we'll be doing different sets because it's 12 shows, I think, so that's 12 different set lists. And there's a few things you have to play, which I'm happy to play.
"High-class problems, but I gotta play 'Glycerine', I gotta play 'Comedown' and I probably have to play 'Machinehead' – I feel those should be played, they're the cars we drive in on.
"Some people are annoyed at their hits and annoyed at their catalogue I've heard. I don't feel that way; I feel really grateful, and I love playing the songs."
Under The Southern Stars 2022 Tour Dates
Fri 11 Mar - Maitland Showground (Hunter Valley)Sat 12 Mar - Foreshore Reserve (Hastings)
Sun 13 Mar - JC Lowe Oval (Yarrawonga)
Wed 16 Mar - Margaret Court Arena (Melbourne)
Fri 18 Mar - Bonython Park (Adelaide)
Sat 19 Mar - Bonython Park (Adelaide)
Sun 20 Mar - Bonython Park (Adelaide)
Tue 22 Mar - WIN Entertainment Centre (Wollongong)
Wed 23 Mar - Qudos Bank Arena (Sydney)
Fri 25 Mar - Kings Beach Ampitheatre (Sunshine Coast)
Sat 26 Mar - Southport Sharks (Gold Coast)
Sun 27 Mar - The Riverstage (Brisbane)
