Aerosmith in Texas -- Live Review
Tuesday, December 11, 2012 at 12:01AM 
Photo by Christian GrausA few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to travel to Austin, Texas to see Aerosmith. I had seen them once before, in San Franscisco, but I had poor seats and their setlist was entirely songs from the 70s, which left me feeling I'd not really seen them (I love the 70s stuff, but I am a child of the 80s). So, I was very excited to go again. I had also bought VIP tickets that gave me excellent seats and a 'meet the band' opportunity for only $300. Remember, for an Aussie, it's usually $150 just to see a band from the average seats, so that all feels like a bargain to me.
So, we drove in to Austin and went to the venue. Given that we had to gather at 3:30 pm on a Friday, it was perhaps not surprising that numbers were low. We got let in and left standing for an hour before we go in to the arena. From there, we were seated near the front of the extension on the stage, and Joey Kramer came out. He came down from the stage to talk to us. In theory, there were people who had his name under their seat and they could ask questions, but he walked around encouraging people to ask. I asked him why they don't come to Australia and he said they don't really sell albums there. Someone else asked him to sign her book, and I found out later she was taken backstage to get it signed and met Steven Tyler. Joey was really down to earth, open and friendly, he seemed to really enjoy meeting some fans. Tom Hamilton came out next. He stood on stage, as he had a bass on. He also answered a lot of questions and was very friendly. Finally, Brad Whitford came out. He had his strat on and played an extended free form solo. It felt a little self indulgent, but I admit I was blown away, I had no idea he played so well. I had intended on asking him about his involvement in the Deep Purple Remachined CD, but in the moment, I decided to ask him if he knows a lot of theory or plays entirely by feel (as I was under the impression that a lot of players of his vintage didn't have access to a lot of resources to learn theory). I got tongue tied, I am sure Brad Whitford thinks I am a moron. He said he did learn a lot of theory, but tries to play by feel.
It was advertised that there were give aways, but this equated to two copies of the new CD Music From Another Dimension (standard edition), not signed or anything. I thought that was a little cheap.
So, we got early access to the merch, where I spent too much, as always, and we went in and took our seats. We were 5th row on the sides, with a stage extension going right out by us, the seats were terrific. Cheap Trick opened. There are things I don't get with Cheap Trick. They don't play "If you want my love" or "The Flame" live, but they play a lot of songs no-one knows. Steven came out and did a Beatles medley with them (the one on the end of Abbey Road, not their own) and then Brad came out and played a 60s rock n roll song with them ( I confess, I forget which one ). It was OK, but I would not go and see Cheap Trick.
The setlist for Aerosmith was:
Mama Kin
Love in an Elevator
Jaded
Oh Yeah
Livin' on the Edge
Movin' Out
Walkin' the Dog
Last Child
Drum Solo
Rag Doll
Boogie Man
Combination
Lover Alot
What It Takes
No More No More
Come Together
Dude (Looks Like a Lady)
Walk This Way
Dream On
Sweet Emotion
I could live without "Jaded," but the rest was brilliant. The thing with their extended front stage area is there's no one perfect spot, and certainly being as close as we were, I looked at the back of Steven and Joe Perry for most of the night. However, we had our time with both of them being right up on our side, so it seems like the system is democratic enough, and it always sounded great. The new songs fit in well with the set list, I had two copies of the CD, but had not played it yet, but even then the new songs sounded great and were not a lull in the show. I was ecstatic to hear "Dude Looks Like A Lady" and "Love in an Elevator" live. Joey said in the meet and greet that they make up their set list every night, and he doesn't know until they go on. He said several times, sometimes they just start something they've not discussed, and he has to wing it. That may happen from time to time, but the setlist they had been playing and was on record online, was the setlist we got. I have no complaints, I just wondered if he knew that we can see what they played every night, on the web.
There was another level of meet and greet, for $1400, you got a photo with Steven and Joe. I'm not sure I would ever pay that, but the level I bought at was definitely good value. I would do it again ( if only to convince Brad that I'm not an idiot...). Aerosmith put on a great show, with a lot of energy, and they were clearly all having a great time up there. There were people in the audience requesting new songs (they did three, but people asked for others ), so the album seems to be well recieved, which I think it deserves. If you don't have the CD, I recommend it, it's way better than the last few. If you get a chance to see Aerosmith, I recommend checking them out, but if you don't have VIP, there's no need to show up for Cheap Trick.
Reader Comments (27)
Also, Cheap Trick, "At Budokan" (1979) -- #426.
I strongly suggest you listen to those records. Forget "At Budokan" right now, since (A) You own it and (2) It's a live album. Listen to studio albums, in chronology, including their first album.
p.s. Their were some formidable musicians, REAL journalists and legendary music producers and disc jockeys among the judges of Rolling Stone's "500 Greatest Albums of All Time" including Lenny Kaye, John Parales and Rodney Bingenheimer (he was the first DJ to break G'n'R, Nirvana, Jane's Addiction, Blondie, The Ramones, The Runaways and Joan Jett, among others, on U.S. commercial radio at KROQ in Los Angeles)
p.s. Regardless, "Heaven Tonight" went to #73 on the Billboard Album Chart in 1978. I'd hardly call that tanking. "Surrender" (read the lyrics) and "California Man" got extensive break out AM Radio rotation, sweeping the country by storm with radio station listener call-ins when the album came out.
At least listen to "In Color" and "Heaven Tonight" from start to finish before writing off one of THE Greatest Rock & Roll Bands of All Time!
I did it with your Iron Maiden crap at the request of Shadow (Whatever happened to that dude?) before I decided I was right the first time just how stupid those greaser's music really is with "Can I Play With Madness", "Two Minutes To Midnight" and "The Trooper" being virtually the only exceptions.