Photo and review by Chris Besaw
The newly opened Archer Music Hall had fans lined up around the block Tuesday evening as the venue played host to guitar legend and Alice In Chain’s member, Jerry Cantrell.
I was thrilled to have another opportunity to see Cantrell on his solo tour, especially at such an intimate venue. The Archer Music Hall only holds approximately 1200 people. It was my first time attending a show there and it is a nicely laid out spot with balcony seating, a GA floor and plenty of bar access.
Starting out the evening was the Texas based 3-piece rock band Sparta! Sparta has been recording music and touring for close to 25 years. They brought their unique blend of rock and alternative music to the fans. Lead singer and guitarist Jim Ward along with Matt Miller (bass), and Neil Hennessy, performed an incredible set. I have not seen Sparta live in a very long time and they have put out a lot of new music since then.
A few tracks that resonated with me were “While Oceans Sleep” and “Death in the Family.” While Jim Ward was taking a moment to talk about the part of Texas he grew up in, an exuberant fan shouted, “play Free Bird.” Without missing a beat, Ward responded, “every single f*cking show, there’s always that one guy. I can tell you that I don’t know it and I can guarantee that I never will.” Sparta did a fantastic job getting the crowd primed and ready for the headliner and I enjoyed seeing them live again.
After a brief stage change over, 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 Chains’ 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 (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.
This is my second time seeing Jerry Cantrell on a solo tour and I was eagerly waiting to see what he was going perform on this run. Would it be a nostalgic run through Alice in Chains’ classic hits with his solo stuff interlaced in between or would he focus more on his solo work?
I have to say that I really enjoyed his performance, which focused on his solo work. The set highlights included, “Vilified “and “I Want Blood” off his current album titled I Want Blood. He did mix in some classic Alice In Chains tracks such as, “Rain When I Die,” “Man in the Box,” and “It Ain’t Like That.” After an eighteen-song setlist, Cantrell and company humbly thanked the fans 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 until mid-September.
Thank you for checking out my review and please enjoy some photo highlights from the show.
Jerry Cantrell Setlist:
Psychotic Breakdown
Them Bones
Rain When I Die
Vilified
Afterglow
Atone
Main In the Box
Cut You In
Dickeye
Off the Rails
I want Blood
Solitude
Brighten
Had to Know
Would?
Encore:
Echoes of Laughter
It Ain’t Like That
Rooster
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