Aerosmith Return to the Stage at Hollywood Bowl With All-Star Cast, but Questions Linger

Steven Tyler and company played their first full show since 2023, joined by Guns N' Roses, the Black Crowes, Dave Grohl and others, leaving the future open.

Aerosmith played their first full concert in more than three years on Thursday night at the Hollywood Bowl, the opening night of “California Dream On: Aerosmith & Friends.” The sold-out show featured full sets from the Black Crowes and Guns N’ Roses, a revolving door of guest singers in the first half, and a closing set by Aerosmith themselves. Steven Tyler, Joe Perry, Tom Hamilton and Brad Whitford were all in attendance, though drummer Joey Kramer, whose return had been anticipated, played only on “Walk This Way” alongside John Douglas after what the band described as back and heart surgeries.

The night opened with a tribute segment hosted by Bill Burr, with artists from across the rock spectrum taking turns at the microphone. Sully Erna of Godsmack, a fellow Bostonian, kicked things off with “Make It” and “Lightning Strikes,” backed by a house band that included drummer Kenny Aronoff, bassist Don Was, guitarist Phil X and Nuno Bettencourt. Warren Haynes delivered “Lord of the Thighs” and “Walkin’ the Dog,” while Ann and Nancy Wilson of Heart offered a stark, elegant “Janie’s Got a Gun.” Sammy Hagar, joined by Chad Smith and Andrew Watt, played “Helter Skelter” and “Draw the Line,” and Billy Idol and Steve Stevens took on “Livin’ on the Edge.” Eric Church covered “Rag Doll” and “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing.”

The Black Crowes raised the temperature with a muscular run through “Let the Music Do the Talking,” “Nobody’s Fault” and “Chip Away the Stone.” Guns N’ Roses followed with a short set that included Aerosmith’s “Seasons of Wither,” “Combination” and “Last Child,” alongside their own “Welcome to the Jungle” and “Paradise City.” Axl Rose noted, jokingly, that “this is no stress” before “Seasons of Wither.”

Aerosmith’s own set brought the evening to its peak. Tyler, in strong voice, moved between humor and drama, while Perry’s slide and Talk Box work anchored the songs. Johnny Depp joined Perry for “Train Kept a Rollin’,” and Dave Grohl played drums on “Toys in the Attic,” “Back in the Saddle” and “Sweet Emotion.” A white grand piano was wheeled out for Tyler to play “Dream On.” Liv Tyler and Alicia Silverstone introduced the band, with Liv asking, “Are we dreaming or is this real?”

The show answered few questions about Aerosmith’s future. The band has not announced further dates, and the two nights, Oct. 29 and Nov. 1, may feature different guests. For now, the reunion stands as a single, star-studded event. As one fan put it while leaving the Bowl, “you take what you can get sometimes.”

Aerosmith’s YouTube channel hosts a “Make It (Rehearsal Take)” video, a raw run-through of the early track that opened Thursday’s tribute segment. It captures the band’s foundational energy, the same spark that guests like Erna and Haynes drew on throughout the night.