Aerosmith Bring Out Run-DMC, Alice in Chains Members, and More Friends to Rock Night Two at Hollywood Bowl: Review + Setlist

Aerosmith marked a significant moment in their storied career with a two-night event at the Hollywood Bowl on November 1, 2023, signaling both a powerful return and an ambiguous future after vocal challenges earlier in the year disrupted their farewell tour. The event, titled “California, Dream On: Aerosmith & Friends,” brought together a diverse array of musical talents, celebrating the band’s enduring influence and their deep connections within the rock community.

Hosted by comedian Bill Burr, both nights revolved around a format that paired guest artists performing Aerosmith covers with the band’s own headline sets. While the first night featured high-profile appearances including Johnny Depp and Dave Grohl, the second night expanded the guest list and extended the setlist by three songs, underscoring the band’s willingness to push beyond expectations despite recent setbacks.

Notably, the second night featured the legendary hip-hop group Run-DMC, who joined Aerosmith to perform “Walk This Way,” a collaboration that originally bridged rock and rap genres in the 1980s. This appearance underscored Aerosmith’s role in shaping musical crossovers and highlighted the band’s ongoing relevance. The performance included contributions from classic drummer Joey Kramer alongside touring drummer John Douglas, who handled most of the drum parts throughout the evening.

The lineup also included rock luminaries such as Jerry Cantrell and Mike Inez of Alice in Chains, Marcus King, Lzzy Hale, Tom Morello, Grace Potter, and Pat Monahan from Train. This eclectic mix brought a dynamic range of vocal and instrumental styles, enriching the tribute to Aerosmith’s catalog. Technical glitches briefly challenged Alice in Chains’ members during their renditions but were met with good humor, reinforcing the live authenticity of the event.

Lzzy Hale delivered a particularly memorable vocal performance, commanding the stage with powerful renditions of “Kings and Queens” and “Round and Round,” the latter complemented by Morello’s distinctive guitar work. Earlier in the evening, Billy Idol and Steve Stevens contributed a charged version of “Livin’ on the Edge,” injecting a nostalgic yet urgent energy to the lineup ahead of the 2024 election.

Ballads received thoughtful treatment from Grace Potter and Pat Monahan, who took turns interpreting Aerosmith’s more melodic numbers such as “What It Takes,” “You See Me Crying,” “Angel,” and the duet “Cryin’.” Heart, returning from the previous night’s performance, shifted their set to include their own hit “Barracuda” alongside “Janie’s Got a Gun,” adding their classic rock edge to the evening’s proceedings.

The Black Crowes and Guns N’ Roses delivered robust sets, with the latter replacing their opening night Aerosmith covers with a selection of band originals and lesser-known Aerosmith tracks. Guns N’ Roses’ set included a powerful lineup of songs such as “Mama Kin,” “S.O.S. (Too Bad),” and their hits “Sweet Child o’ Mine” and “Nightrain,” amplifying the night’s intensity.

Aerosmith’s own set opened with an introduction by actress Liv Tyler and featured a sequence of classics including “Toys in the Attic,” “Back in the Saddle,” “Sweet Emotion,” and “Dream On.” The band’s performance, particularly Steven Tyler’s vocal delivery, belied any finality suggested by prior announcements, with Tyler himself humorously dismissing the notion that the group’s stage presence would end.

The concert concluded with the iconic collaboration on “Walk This Way” with Run-DMC and closed out with “The Train Kept A-Rollin’,” leaving the audience with a sense of celebration rather than farewell. While the shows were presented as the band’s last, the evening’s energy and Tyler’s remarks left open the possibility for future performances, suggesting that Aerosmith’s legacy and live presence may continue beyond these landmark events.

Overall, the Hollywood Bowl concerts reaffirmed Aerosmith’s influential position in rock history, showcasing their resilience and the strong network of artists who continue to draw inspiration from their work. The event was a testament to the band’s impact across genres and generations, blending nostalgia with a vibrant, communal spirit onstage.