Not Beating Around The Bush With BRENT SMITH From SHINEDOWN

American rock titans Shinedown and British alternative legends Bush are uniting for a massive co-headline tour across Australia and New Zealand in September 2026. Promoted by Destroy All Lines, this blockbuster arena run bridges two distinct eras of heavy guitar music. The highly anticipated roadshow represents Shinedown’s monumental return down under for the first time in over 15 years. Simultaneously, it marks Bush’s first full-scale headline run of the region in nearly three decades.
Shinedown brings a precise, high-octane live production to the stage, fueled by a record-breaking 24 number-one rock hits and more than 8.3 billion global streams. Local audiences can expect a dense, anthemic setlist packed with their definitive mainstream radio hits like Second Chance, Sound of Madness, and Monsters. The Florida-based rockers are also using this international trek to showcase brand-new material from their eighth studio album, EI8HT, which launched recently with widespread critical acclaim.
Complementing Shinedown's arena-ready energy is the raw post-grunge power of Bush, anchored by the iconic charisma of frontman Gavin Rossdale. With over three decades of global success and a billion streams, the London-born outfit remains an essential fixture of modern alternative rock. Their performance will highlight definitive mid-90s hits from their seminal, multi-platinum debut record Sixteen Stone, treating fans to live renditions of Glycerine, Comedown, and Machinehead. Additionally, Bush will perform tracks from their tenth studio album, I Beat Loneliness, demonstrating their continuing creative evolution.
HEAVY sat down with Shinedown frontman Brent Smith to get his thoughts on the tour. It's been 16 years since Shinedown last toured this country, so we ask Brent what has changed with the band over that period.
"Just the trajectory of the band," he measured. "The albums. Life. Experience… The thing that I never take for granted is that I can look back and say to myself, I feel very, very fortunate that from the moment I could have a conscious thought… what I wanted to do with my life, I'm doing. And to still be 25 years into being in this band… You don't ever want to have this big, meteoric rise. I don't know the way I should say this, but I can only say it in the most authentic way possible. Experience is something that you need in this industry. Sometimes, when you get a big jump, there can be a heavy fall. It's a very difficult industry to navigate, the music business and however you want to look at it. But the reality is it all comes down to the audience and the artist. I've said this before, and I mean it. In Shinedown, we only have one boss. It's just everybody in the audience. And Shinedown is also everyone's band."
In the full interview, Brent makes apologies for taking so long to get back to Australia, promising the band will more than make up for lost time. He spoke about the evolution of Shinedown over their musical journey and the importance of staying grounded, no matter what else is happening.
He recounted how the initial discussion to pair Shinedown and Bush on tour came about, expressing his respect and love for their touring partners and how their music will compliment the other. Brent talked about Shinedown's recent album Ei8ht and its reception, highlighting the positive reaction by fans and critics alike, plus more.


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