Jerry Cantrell returned to the Marquee Theatre on August 19th, 2025 for the “I Want Blood” tour. The show marked the second Arizona stop on the tour, the first since February. With previous tour mates Filter sidelined, a new support act was along for the ride.
Sparta, featuring former members of At the Drive-In, opened the show. The trio, hailing from El Paso, Texas, got the crowd warmed up with a 45-minute set. “It’s our job to get the crowd’s blood flowing” said frontman Jim Ward.
Ward, along with bassist Matt Miller and drummer Neil Hennessy, succeeded in bringing the crowd to life. The ten-song set included “Red Alibi”, “Glasshouse Tarot”, and closed out with “Air.”
Thirty minutes later, Jerry Cantrell stepped onto the dimly lit stage, sporting black wrap around shades and wielding his iconic G&L Rampage “Blue Dress” guitar. Cantrell started the set with the live debut of “Echoes of Laughter” from his current project.
The first third of the set was focused on his solo work, including “Vilified”, “Afterglow”, and “Atone.” As the final notes of “Psychotic Break” faded away, the jarring “Ah!” and crushing chord progression of “Them Bones” ripped away the momentary silence. It would be the first of many Alice In Chains songs throughout the evening.
With Greg Puciato absent, vocals on the songs original sung by Layne Staley fell to guitarist Zach Throne. The setlist kept Throne busy, featuring a heavy dose of Alice In Chains classics including “Man in the Box” and the tour debut of “Rain When I Die.”
Veteran drummer Roy Mayorga provided the rhythmic foundation while bassist Eliot Lorango laid down the grooves, including the iconic introduction to the Alice In Chains hit “Would?” The crowd was transformed into a sea of glowing screens as fans captured the moment while singing along enthusiastically.
The set also included plenty of Cantrell’s solo work, going all the way back to his 1998 debut. For the first time in over twenty years, the band performed “Dickeye”, the third and final single from “Boggy Depot.” Later on, Cantrell traded his G&L for his custom “D Trip” Les Paul for “Cut You In.”
After leaving the stage, the calls for an encore grew loud quickly. The crowd was still chanting “Jer-ry, Jer-ry” as the band returned to the stage. The bonus set included “It Ain’t Like That,” yet another Alice In Chains tune, and “Brighten”, the title track from his 2021 solo effort.
Cantrell closed out the show with “Rooster”, from the 1992 Alice In Chains album “Dirt.” The song pays tribute to Cantrell’s father, who served two tours in Vietnam. The song’s slow build to a crescendo and its anthemic chorus made it the perfect choice to end the show.
Cantrell struck the perfect balance between showcasing his solo work, while still giving longtime Alice In Chains fans something to cheer about. Whether you’re a music fan craving guitar-driven rock n’ roll, or simply looking for some 90s grunge nostalgia, the show delivers. The tour will continue through the Summer, with the final stop in Kansas City, Missouri on September 14th.
To catch Jerry Cantrell’s “I Want Blood” Tour visit: https://jerrycantrell.com/
