Photos and Review by Chris Besaw
There was a lot of excitement in Pennsylvania this past weekend. The streets were filled with energetic Philadelphia Eagles fans getting ready for the Superbowl. Just a short distance north of Philly, music fans were lining up at the Parx Xcite Center for a sold-out show with guitar legend and Alice In Chain’s member, Jerry Cantrell.
I was excited to have an opportunity to see Jerry Cantrell on his solo tour in such an intimate venue. This was my first time at the Parx Xcite Center. it is a small venue that can hold approximately 1500 people but the energy from the crowd rivaled that of an arena show.
Starting off the evening was the Cleveland, OH based rock band Filter! Filter has been recording music and touring since 1993. They brought their unique blend of industrial, alternative, hard rock to the fans. Even though Richard Patrick and band mates had limited time to play, they managed to crank out a killer setlist with a mix of new tracks such as, “The Drowning,” and “Obliteration” and a couple of their biggest hits, “Take a Picture,” and “Hey Man Nice Shot.” Filter did a great job getting the crowd primed for the evening’s headliner.
Setlist:
The Drowning
For the Beaten
Obliteration
Take a Picture
Welcome to the Fold
Hey Man, Nice Shot
It was time for the evening’s headliner! After a short reprieve and stage changeover it was time for Jerry Cantrell and his band to take the stage.
Most hard rock and grunge music fans recognize Jerry Cantrell as one of the pioneers of the early Seattle and Grunge music movement with his band Alice in Chains. Cantrell branched out, as Alice In Chain’s future became uncertain and launched his first solo album in 1998.
Jerry Cantrell is currently promoting his fourth solo album, I Want Blood, which was released in October 2024. Jerry has worked and toured with some incredible musicians and for this tour he enlisted co-lead vocalist Greg Puciato of Better Lovers (and formerly of Dillinger Escape Plan), co-lead guitarist Zach Throne, bassist Eliot Lorango of the band Dorothy, and drummer Roy Mayorga, who has played in Stone Sour and Ministry.
I had never seen Jerry Cantrell on a solo tour and wasn’t sure what to expect, would it be a nostalgic run through Alice in Chains’ classic hits with his solo stuff interlaced in between or would he focus on his solo work?
I have to say that I really enjoyed his performance which did focus on his solo work. The set highlights included, “Vilified,” “Afterglow,” and “I Want Blood” off his current album titled I Want Blood. He did mix in some classic Alice In Chains tracks such as, “Them Bones,” “Man in the Box,” and “Would?” After a fourteen song setlist, Cantrell and company thanked the sold-out crowd for their continued support before departing.
If you haven’t seen Jerry Cantrell on his solo tour, there’s still time to catch him as he will be on tour in the US through early March and then will be heading overseas.
Thank you for checking out my review and please enjoy some photo highlights from the show.
Jerry Cantrell Setlist:
Psychotic Breakdown
Them Bones
Vilified
Afterglow
Atone
Off the Rails
Cut You In
I Want Blood
Had to Know
Man in the Box
Held Your Tongue
Would?
Brighten
Rooster
Click photo below for gallery
