On a sweltering evening—especially by British standards—I made my way to the O2 Forum Kentish Town in London to see Jerry Cantrell, the iconic guitarist, vocalist, and co-founder of the legendary Alice in Chains.
The doors opened just after 7 p.m., and slowly but surely, the crowd began to fill the venue. The evening kicked off with a performance by the Australian dark-pop duo VOWWS, currently based in Los Angeles. Their raw and mesmerizing set left a strong impression—especially “Blood’s on Fire,” a track I’ve been playing on repeat lately.
After a solid opening, the time finally came for the night’s main event.
Around 9 p.m., Jerry Cantrell and his band took the stage. They launched into “Psychotic Break” from his second solo album “Degradation Trip“, immediately followed by Alice in Chains’ “Them Bones,” which ignited the crowd.
From there, we heard “Brighten” and “Atone” , before the tempo slowed briefly with “Siren Song.” But that calm didn’t last long.
As the first notes of “Man in the Box” rang out, the venue erupted. It instantly reminded me of a guy I saw earlier that day, driving through Camden with that very song blasting at full volume. Now, the entire venue was belting out every word at the top of their lungs. You could feel the energy—an audience of all ages, from teens to people well into their 70s, fully immersed with arms raised and voices soaring.
And speaking of singing—Greg Puciato absolutely crushed it. His performance was a highlight of the night. Joining Jerry on vocals, he brought raw energy and vocal battles that captured the haunting harmonies that defined Alice in Chains’ signature sound. His presence elevated the entire show.
Fortunately, the man himself—Riff lord Jerry Cantrell—was in stellar form. That iconic guitar tone! Dark, sludgy, melodic. His solos were pure catharsis—moody, gritty, and emotionally precise. Each note seemed to claw its way out of a shadowy place.
The setlist leaned heavily on his solo work, with standouts like “Cut You In,” “My Song,” and “Angel Eyes.” But we also got treated to an absolutely stunning rendition of Alice in Chains’ “Down in a Hole,” where Cantrell’s guitar work took centre stage. “Hate to Feel” and “Would?” were delivered with the same fire and passion that have made them fan favourites for decades.
Seeing Jerry Cantrell live is like stepping into a sonic cathedral built on vulnerability, grit, and melody. Whether he’s leading his band or channelling the soul of Alice in Chains, his performance is immersive, intimate, and unforgettable.
As a lifelong Alice in Chains fan, this was more than just a gig—it was a pilgrimage. When he closed the night with “Rooster,” it felt like the only way such an epic evening could end. A powerful finale to a night that cemented Jerry Cantrell’s place as one of the most gifted and respected musicians in rock.
JERRY CANTRELL
VOWWS
Photos + Review by Tomas Adam | Exclusively for Music, Why Not!
