Aerosmith Rocks Hollywood Bowl, Future Still Unclear — SkimNews
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- Aerosmith played a sold-out Oct. 29 opening night of “California Dream On: Aerosmith & Friends” at the Hollywood Bowl, the band’s first full concert since Sept. 2023 after a hiatus tied to Steven Tyler’s larynx injury; a second show was scheduled for Nov. 1.
- Steven Tyler appeared to be in top voice, and the review’s “brief but brilliant” assessment converged with fans who said Aerosmith “sounded phenomenal”; Tom Hamilton played bass and Brad Whitford played guitar.
- Dave Grohl played drums on five Aerosmith numbers—“Toys in the Attic,” “Back in the Saddle,” “Sweet Emotion,” “Dream On,” and “Train Kept a Rollin’”—while Johnny Depp joined the latter on guitar.
- Joey Kramer did not play the full set because of back and heart surgeries and health issues, but joined John Douglas for “Walk This Way,” the sole song on which both drummers performed.
- Black Crowes delivered full-band versions of “Let the Music Do the Talking” and “Chip Away at the Stone,” with their energy and Chris Robinson’s vocals raising the event’s caliber after the rotating tribute acts.
- Guns N’ Roses mixed Aerosmith covers including “Last Child” and “Seasons of Wither” with their own “Welcome to the Jungle” and “Paradise City” in a short set the review called world-class.
- Aerosmith left its touring future unsettled beyond the Nov. 1 second show, with Tyler not saying whether performances will continue; nearly endless merchandise lines showed that fan demand has not waned.
Why it matters: With a second show scheduled for Nov. 1, Aerosmith has concrete evidence of demand—a sold-out first night and nearly endless merchandise lines—but no announced schedule beyond that date. Steven Tyler has not clarified whether performances will continue, leaving the concert’s success without a settled post-injury touring path.
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