Aerosmith kicked off their Peace Out farewell tour tonight in Philadelphia with an impressive 18-song set performed on a dazzling new stage.
You can see the full set list and new photographs from the show below.
After a 20-minute history of the band played on the large video screens above the packed crowd, the stage sprung to life, forming a giant 3-D version of the Aerosmith logo, complete with inflatable wings.
Steven Tyler, Joe Perry, Brad Whitford and Tom Hamilton emerged from a riser behind the drum kit and launched into “Back in the Saddle.” Tyler’s energy output continues to defy all logic and believability, and his voice was in fine form, with tasteful help from three backup singers / multi-instrumentalists.
John Douglas joined the band on drums, filling in for founding member Joey Kramer, who is sitting this tour out. There were some understandable opening night hiccups such as malfunctioning microphones and sound issues, but the band didn’t let any of them get in the way of a good time.
The set was comprised of a nearly exactly even mix of songs from the Aerosmith’s original ’70s run and their ’80s and ’90s comeback years. Although they could easily deliver an entire show filled with Top 40-charting hits, the group skipped a few (most notably “Dude (Looks Like a Lady)”) in favor of some beloved album tracks, such as Toys in the Attic‘s “Adam’s Apple” and Permanent Vacation‘s “Hangman Jury.”
Watch Aerosmith Perform ‘Back in the Saddle’
A Trip Down Memory Lane Took the Show to a New Level
The show really caught fire during “Movin’ Out,” the highlight of the night and the last of a three-track sequence that found Perry and Tyler seated at the front of the stage. Before starting the song the duo traded stories about their early days, with Tyler explaining how he had to keep a dozing Perry awake after the guitarist first came up with the song’s opening riff. The story seemed to re-energize the entire band, and Perry and Tyler quickly abandoned their chairs and joined their bandmates for an extended instrumental jam.
Perry also paid tribute to the recently departed Jeff Beck, proudly showing off a guitar Beck’s family had given him to use on stage. Two more songs from Toys, “Sweet Emotion” and “Toys in the Attic,” during which giant inflatable versions of the stuffed animals from the album cover descended from the ceiling, brought the main set to a close.
The band then returned for a undeniable two-song encore comprised of a particularly emotional “Dream On” and a joyous “Walk This Way.” If this really is the end for Aerosmith it’s because they want it to be, certainly not because they can’t do their jobs excellently anymore.
Watch Aerosmith Perform ‘Cryin”
Read More: Why Joey Kramer Won’t Be Part of Aerosmith’s Farewell Tour
Aerosmith’s Peace Out Tour Will Continue Through at Least January 2024
The Peace Out tour is currently set to conclude on Jan. 26 in Montreal, Canada, although the band has not formally declared that they won’t add another round of dates to their schedule.The Black Crowes played a powerful hour-long opening set tonight at the Wells Fargo Center, and will be joining Aerosmith for this entire tour.
Read More: Aerosmith Announces ‘Peace Out’ Farewell Tour
Aerosmith, 9/2/23, Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia
1. “Back in the Saddle”
2. “Love in an Elevator”
3. “Cryin'”
4. “Janie’s Got a Gun”
5. “Adam’s Apple”
6. “Livin’ on the Edge”
7. “No More No More”
8. “Rag Doll”
9. “Hangman Jury”
10. “Seasons of Wither”
11. “Movin’ Out”
12. “Stop Messin’ Around”
13. “Rats in the Cellar”
14. “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing”
15. “Sweet Emotion”
16. “Toys in the Attic”
17. “Dream On”
18. “Walk This Way”
Aerosmith Peace Out Farwell Tour Opening Night Photos
See Aerosmith kick off their final tour on Sept. 2, 2023 in Philadelphia, PA
