Jerry Cantrell’s return to the capital felt more like a gathering of the faithful than a typical Tuesday night gig. A near-sold-out Forum bristled with anticipation, and Cantrell - grizzled, gracious, and utterly commanding - delivered a set that was equal parts solo gold and Alice In Chains grit.

Kicking off with ‘Psychotic Break’, the mood was set early: dense, melodic and unmistakably Cantrell. The crowd roared to life with ‘Them Bones’, a tight and snarling rendition that reminded us just how much of Alice In Chains' DNA lives in him. Tracks like ‘Vilified’ and ‘Atone’ sat confidently alongside the classics, their layered textures and bruised melodies resonating deeply.

What truly elevated the night, though, was the crowd itself - a sea of long-time devotees who knew every note, every lyric, every pause. From the thunderous chants between songs to the full-throated singalongs on ‘Man in the Box’ and ‘Rooster’, the Forum felt less like a concert hall and more like a sanctuary. These were fans who’ve walked with Cantrell through every chapter, and on this night, they gave as much as they received. It was a reminder that while the man himself may be the architect, the foundation has always been held firm by those who never let go.

The emotional heft of ‘Siren Song’ and ‘Angel Eyes’ proved highlights, but it was the AIC cuts – ‘Man in the Box’, ‘Down in a Hole’ and a cathartic ‘Would?’ - that shook the room to its bones. The encore brought a devastating ‘Hate to Feel’ and a luminous ‘Brighten’, before closing with ‘Rooster’, sung by a thousand voices, arms raised and hearts full.

Cantrell may stand centre-stage these days, but the ghosts and glories of his past are never far behind. A masterclass in restraint, weight and melody. On the way home I could still hear the crowd: “Jerry, Jerry, Jerry, Jerry, Jerry…”

Setlist:
Psychotic Break
Them Bones (Alice in Chains song)
Vilified
Afterglow
Atone
Siren Song
Man in the Box (Alice in Chains song)
Cut You In
My Song
Off the Rails
I Want Blood
Down in a Hole (Alice in Chains song)
Had to Know
Angel Eyes
Would? (Alice in Chains song)

Encore:
Hate to Feel (Alice in Chains song)
Brighten
Rooster (Alice in Chains song)

Review and Photos: Chris Griffiths