Bush and Shinedown ignite Adelaide with rock masterclass

Review by Jeff Smith. Performance date: Sunday 27 September 2026, Adelaide Entertainment Centre Theatre 

One of the hottest rock shows of the year rolled into Adelaide on Sunday night, with a powerhouse double bill from UK rockers, Bush and Jacksonville, Florida’s Shinedown. 

All Photos Credit: Jeff Smith

Double Bill Nostalgia 

Billed as co-headliners, both bands used every second of their 75-minute sets to deliver what the fans came for – pure nostalgia and timeless rock reminding us why Bush and Shinedown have dominated the rock airwaves for decades. 

Tonight, the clock was turned back, celebrating the songs that have soundtracked generations while showcasing the musicianship and craft of two bands who are still a force in modern music – tonight was a masterclass from two stalwarts of the alternative rock scene. 

Rock Anthems for The Ages 

Rock anthems were central to tonight – from the classics to newer cuts, crushing guitars, driving grooves and epic choruses were delivered in spades. 

From Bush’s Glycerine and Comedown, to Shinedown’s 45 and the Sound of Madness, the audience sang in union lapping up every chorus and iconic lyric. 

Even on a Sunday night, Adelaide clearly didn’t want to come down from this cloud.

BUSH 

Bush delivered a show of epic proportions, with the energy of a band that was just getting started. 

Frontman, Gavin Rossdale was front and centre, bringing charisma, sex appeal and infectious energy that the crowd lapped up. Rossdale defies ageing as he dances through Bush’s back catalogue and more recent material, including cuts from its latest album, I Beat Loneliness. 

The fast-paced 14-song set was defined by a heavier tone. Opening with Machinehead and moving through classics including Everything Zen, Rossdale and band performed a polished, high octane set with the fire of a band who are three decades into its journey. 

Rossdale’s solo rendition of Glycerine paid homage to the song that changed his world and defined a generation while newer track, Flowers On a Grave saw him dancing through the crowd and connecting with Adelaide fans. 

SHINEDOWN 

Jacksonville rockers Shinedown closed the night with a show that literally brought the heat, fire and rock riffs to Adelaide. 

In their first South Australian show in 16 years, the band made up for lost time with a production that brought all the bells and whistles – including enough pyro and fire to light up the city. 

Tonight’s gig was truly intimate for a band who regularly sells out arenas to crowds of 15,000 plus in America. 

Leaning into a career spanning set, the band delivered a blistering collection of anthemic rock that demonstrated the full scale, power and ambition of a Shinedown live show. 

At the forefront was frontman Brent Smith, whose vocals took full flight live, matched with an all-commanding stage presence to boot. The band’s catalogue takes on a new life in the live setting, uniting the crowd in every moment. 

Exploding on stage to Safe and Sound, the band pulled no punches powering through a set of rockers including Asking for It, 45, Enemies and The Sound of Madness. Smith’s vocals shone on the giant ballad, A Symptom of Being Human, reminding us of the power of human experience.  

It was a rare treat to see Shinedown reunite with Adelaide in such an intimate setting - with a production that did not hold back on any level. 

FINAL THOUGHTS 

This double header truly brought the rock to Adelaide, delivering a show that will surely be a contender for the rock gig of the year. 

Shinedown and Bush – what a production and core memory for Adelaide’s rock lovers.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️