When I first heard this tour was announced, I was excited to see that Alice in Chains was returning to the stage after three years. Back in 2020 Breaking Benjamin and Bush had a tour scheduled, but of course COVID had other plans for that one so I was glad to see they were out together again. With the loss of live music for a couple of years, I was eager to see fellow rock lovers unite for a few hours of rock n roll.
The last time I had seen Bush live was in 2011 at the Sunset Strip Music Festival in Los Angeles, so I was eager to see their set after so many years. Gavin Rossdale took over the stage with his electrifying energy and soothing accent every time he would talk in between songs. After warming up the crowd with the hard and heavy “Machinehead”, Gavin decided to surprise fans and talk a walk from the pit all the way out to the lawn for “Flowers on a Grave”. After regrouping from his adventure out into the seats, Gavin dedicated “Glycerin” to two fans who were seeing the band for the hundredth time. Bush closed out their set with “Comedown”, one of their Billboard chart topping tracks.
As crews starting setting up the stage for the next band, I ran into real life vampire Jacky Bam Bam from WMMR. I decided to go check out the WMMR tent where Jacky was live broadcasting and interacted with a few other fans of the station. The small crowd that was huddled around Jacky loved his energy and he brought the personal aspect into his broadcast while having fans talk about their thoughts on the concert so far, etc.
While listening to what Jacky calls his “trainwreck show” I heard “Blow Me Away” starting to play in the distance as Breaking Benjamin took the stage. After rushing back to our seats, the band played hit after hit in their 16 song set list, such as So Cold, I Will Not Bow, The Diary of Jane and many more. With their kick ass energy and pyro stage effects, they kept my attention the entire set. Singer Benjamin Burnley said how he is still in disbelief to be touring with Alice in Chains, saying he grew up listening to the band.
Last but not least, Alice in Chains opened up with their 1996 track “Again”, which was only performed by original singer Lane Stanley 5 times. Even though Lane is no longer with us, William Duvall fits the part with his black ensemble and enthusiastic interaction with the audience. As flashing bright lights shined through some dark, intense songs, the band captivated everyones attention. Jerry Cantrell played his heavy riffs for “Man in the Box”, and as their set started to close out, we got to hear one of their more recent hits “Your Decision”. I noticed most people seemed to stay until the very end because of their mesmerizing presence, and as the lights went out I found myself with the mad rush as the show had ended.
As the post concert depression started to hit, I felt a deep appreciation to be able to see such legendary bands playing together. I was able to catch up with fellow concertgoers I’ve ran into from other shows and just appreciate the live music that brings us all together.
Watch my concert recap video below:
The American tour runs until October 9th, and will return to the area on October 7th in Holmdel, NJ if you were not able to catch them at the Camden, NJ show. The remaining tour dates can be found below:
Upcoming Tour Dates
8/16 Clarkston, MI – Pine Knob Music Theatre
8/17 Noblesville, IN – Ruoff Music Center
8/19 Bonner Springs, KS – Azura Amphitheater
8/20 Council Bluffs, IA – Westfair Amphitheater
8/22 Milwaukee, WI – American Family Insurance Amphitheater
8/24 Tinley Park, IL – Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
8/25 St. Paul, MN – Minnesota State Fair Ground Grandstand
8/27 Englewood, CO – Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre
8/29 Salt Lake City, UT – USANA Amphitheatre
8/31 Bend, OR – Hayden Homes Amphitheater
9/2 Ridgefield, WA – RV Inn Style Resorts Amphitheater
9/3 Auburn, WA – White River Amphitheatre (Pain In The Grass)
9/5 Mountain View, CA – Shoreline Amphitheatre
9/7 Wheatland, CA – Toyota Amphitheatre
9/8 Irvine, CA – FivePoint Amphitheatre
9/10 Phoenix, AZ – Ak-Chin Pavilion
9/11 Albuquerque, NM – Isleta Amphitheater
9/14 Del Valle, TX – Germania Insurance Amphitheater
9/16 Dallas, TX – Dos Equis Pavilion
9/17 Houston, TX – The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion presented by Huntsman
9/20 Rogers, AR – Walmart AMP
9/21 Maryland Heights, MO – Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
9/23 Mt. Pleasant, MI – Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort
9/25 Louisville, KY – Louder Than Life
9/27 Raleigh, NC – Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek
9/28 Alpharetta, GA – Ameris Bank Amphitheatre
9/30 Tampa, FL – MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre at the FL State Fairgrounds
10/1 West Palm Beach, FL – iTHINK Financial Amphitheatre
10/4 Charlotte, NC – PNC Music Pavilion
10/5 Bristow, VA – Jiffy Lube Live
10/7 Holmdel, NJ – PNC Bank Arts Center
10/8 Mansfield, MA – Xfinity Center
ROCK REPORT 