Aerosmith knows how to put on a rock show, complete with wardrobe changes, a giant confetti finish, lots of crowd interaction and even a surprise celebrity guest. With over four decades of experience, these seasoned veterans, led by a vivacious Steven Tyler, delivered hit after hit Wednesday night at the revamped Forum in Inglewood.
It’s not the band’s first time at the legendary concert venue, as guitarist Joe Perry noted before taking his turn to belt out “Freedom Fighter,” the one new song the group managed to sneak into the set.
“This place is great,” he said with a pause, “after they fixed it all up.” And it’s true. After a $100 million makeover, the sound and overall look is pretty incredible.
The band opened with the aptly titled “Back in the Saddle.” Tyler’s vocals were hoarse, but he went at it with confidence, strutting down the extended catwalk laid out in the middle of the crowd, rockin’ his scarves, aviator sunglasses and mostly all-white ensemble. Through “Eat the Rich,” a bit of that vocal grit began to shake off, and by “Cryin’” (four songs in), Tyler was back up to full speed.
The 66-year-old’s skills with a mic stand and use of his tied-on and draped scarves is impressive. He helicopters the stand above his head, leans on it, at certain points straddles and rides it, and swings it into the audience, yanking it back with a quick tug of a scarf just before it can potentially bonk patrons right in their faces. He’s well aware of camera placement, and with incredible timing, he plays right into the lens while his die-hard fans just eat it all up.
Perry is an equal showman. If opener Slash (Guns N’ Roses, Velvet Revolver) made guitar playing look easy, Perry took it to the next level. The one-two-punch of “Toys in the Attic” and “Rag Doll” mid-set brought on a palpable amount of energy, and for the cover of Bull Moose Jackson’s “Big Ten Inch Record,” the band brought out actor and longtime friend Johnny Depp to play guitar. The Forum audience gave Depp a warm and hearty welcome, and as he shyly waved and exited after the track, Tyler quipped, “Lord knows I love that man.”
Tyler soared through “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing” and acknowledged that his loyal brood wanted “the old (stuff)” before launching into “No More No More.” It wouldn’t have been an Aerosmith show without “Dude (Looks Like a Lady)” and “Walk This Way,” which led into a quick two-song encore.
During “Dream On,” Tyler hit chill-inducing notes almost perfectly as he pounded on the piano. He was backed by the Newport Beach Southern California Children’s Chorus, and as Perry took over on guitar, Tyler stepped up onto the piano, striking a signature pose to finish the track, both he and Perry masked by heavy sprays of thick fog that came shooting up from the sides of the stage. After thanking the chorus, the band closed out with “Sweet Emotion.”
Slash featuring Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators opened the night with a lively set and announced that their second album, “World on Fire,” would be released Sept. 16. The famous Guns N’ Roses guitarist shredded through the set with ease while Kennedy, who is also the frontman of the rock band Alter Bridge, showcased his sharpened chops as the group covered some of GNR’s finest: “Nightrain,” “You Could Be Mine,” “Sweet Child o’ Mine” and the closer, “Paradise City.” Kennedy definitely gives GNR vocalist Axl Rose a run for his money, especially these days.
From the start, with “You’re a Lie,” the band played and delivered tracks with passion as it rocketed through the GNR staples, some of Slash’s solo cuts and a cover of Velvet Revolver’s “Slither.” The title track of the new album, “World on Fire,” fit in nicely among all that other material.
Contact the writer: 714-796-3570 or kfadroski@ocregister.com
