On September 17, at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, the first night of The Who’s “The Song Is Over” Farewell Tour saw a surprising highlight: the Joe Perry Project. While much of the anticipation usually centers around The Who’s legends Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend, it was Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry’s side project that captured much of the evening’s excitement.

A Star-Studded Lineup and Special Guests

What began as a side endeavor to keep Perry busy during Aerosmith’s downtime has taken on a new life after the band canceled their farewell tour. Steven Tyler’s vocal cord injury forced Aerosmith to retire from touring, prompting Perry to hit the road with an all-star version of the Joe Perry Project. The lineup features Chris Robinson of The Black Crowes on vocals, Perry’s Aerosmith bandmate Brad Whitford on guitar, Stone Temple Pilots bassist Robert DeLeo, ex-Smash Mouth drummer Jason Sutter, and Black Crowes backing vocalist Mackenzie Adams.

Adding to the buzz, Steven Tyler himself made a guest appearance late in the set. He joined Perry and the band for a powerful rendition of Aerosmith’s hit “Walk This Way,” followed by a spirited performance of “Train Kept A-Rollin’,” where Tyler even contributed a train whistle intro. Despite recent vocal challenges, Tyler’s voice remained strong, much to the delight of fans and bandmates alike. Robinson stayed on stage, providing backing vocals during Tyler’s appearance.

Guns N’ Roses guitarist Slash also appeared early in the show, trading guitar riffs with Perry and Whitford during the classic Aerosmith blues number “Mama Kin,” further elevating the night’s energy.

Deep Cuts and Hopes for an Aerosmith Reunion

The Joe Perry Project’s setlist leaned heavily into Aerosmith deep cuts like “Combination,” “Last Child,” “Get It Up,” and “Chip Away the Stone,” alongside Perry’s solo material including “Let the Music Do the Talking” and “East Coast, West Coast.” The band also paid tribute to their members’ other projects with covers of The Black Crowes’ “Twice as Hard” and Stone Temple Pilots’ “Vasoline.”

Chris Robinson summarized the band’s spirit early on, declaring, “This is the Joe Perry Project and we play rock ‘n’ roll!” The group delivered on that promise with tight performances and classic rock energy.

Most significantly for fans, seeing Tyler and Perry perform together again sparked hope for a future Aerosmith reunion, even if a full-scale tour seems unlikely due to Tyler’s vocal limitations. Wednesday’s show suggested that a final farewell concert, if it happens, would be a memorable event for the band and their fans.

Joe Perry Project Sept. 17, 2025 Hollywood Bowl Set List
1. “Let the Music Do the Talking”
2. “East Coast, West Coast”
3. “Combination”
4. “Twice as Hard”
5. “Mama Kin” (with Slash)
6. “Vasoline”
7. “Get It Up”
8. “Last Child”
9. “Chip Away the Stone”
10. “Walk This Way” (with Steven Tyler)
11. “Train Kept a Rollin’” (with Steven Tyler)