Jerry Cantrell - The Bluestone (Columbus, Oh) - February 18th, 2025

Due to the radius clause imposed by the Rock on the Range/Sonic Temple festivals, Jerry Cantrell’s solo career has been notably absent from Columbus headlining slots; therefore, his recent sold-out show at the converted church venue on a frigid winter night was hardly unexpected.

While some artists forge new paths when on a solo route, Cantrell tends to stick with what he knows, heavy and sludgy guitar riffs and instantly identifiable vocals that have been part of the Alice in Chains’ formula going on four decades. And whether or not you’re well studied on Cantrell’s four solo albums, the most recent of which, I Want Blood, was released last year, the ten songs played from those albums had a familiar sound.

Backed by a band of pros – guitarist Zach Throne (Corey Taylor, Bruce Kulick, Ace Frehley), bassist Eliot Lorango (Dorothy, Billy Howerdel, Corey Taylor) and drummer Roy Mayorga (Stone Sour, Kylesa, Ministry) – and sharing vocals with Greg Puciato (The Dillinger Escape Plan, Better Lovers), Cantrell opened with the brooding “Psychotic Break” from 2002’s Degradation Trip, setting the tone for the next 90 minutes. Throughout the night, Cantrell was in lockstep vocally with Puciato who seamlessly transitioned between harmonizing and taking lead, notably stepping into the late Layne Staley’s shoes on the Alice in Chains songs featured in the set.

The stage interactions between Cantrell, Puciato, and Throne revealed a band deeply connected. While only Puciato appears on Cantrell’s albums, Throne’s inspired guitar additions drew visible admiration from his bandmates. It was clear that, while Cantrell is the driving force, the live show thrives on the individual contributions of each musician.

Despite battling illness, Jerry Cantrell delivered a strong performance. During a brief pause between songs, he revealed his condition, taking sips of a warm beverage and reaching for cough drops. While some performers might have canceled, Cantrell pressed on, his vocals and guitar work showing no signs of weakness. Notably, the following night in Indianapolis, the band added Aerosmith’s “Sick as a Dog” to their setlist, a clear nod to Cantrell’s state.

Cantrell’s set, a blend of his solo work – including the crowd pleasing “Cut You In” from 1998’s Boggy Depot – culminated in a powerful trio of Alice in Chains classics: “Man in the Box” (enhanced by his talk box), “Hate to Feel,” and “Would?” The latter, originally from the Singles soundtrack, resonated deeply with the crowd that ranged from teenagers to those who are Cantrell’s age. The encore delivered two more AIC favorites, “Sea of Sorrow” and the essential “Rooster,” fulfilling the Columbus audience’s long-held desire to see Cantrell on a non-festival stage.

Columbus, Ohio setlist

Psychotic Break
Them Bones (Alice in Chains song)
Vilified
Afterglow
Atone
Off the Rails
Cut You In
My Song
I Want Blood
Had to Know
Man in the Box (Alice in Chains song)
Hate to Feel (Alice in Chains song)
Would? (Alice in Chains song)

Encore:
Sea of Sorrow (Alice in Chains song)
Brighten
Rooster (Alice in Chains song)