August 22, 2025

Jerry Cantrell @ Rialto Theatre, Tucson

 (by Shay Smith)

On August 16, 2025, Jerry Cantrell launched the latest leg of his I Want Blood Tour in San Diego, with El Paso’s Sparta joining as direct support. Just a few days later, the tour rolled into Tucson, AZ, for a packed performance at the historic Rialto Theatre—Cantrell’s second Arizona stop after Tempe’s Marquee Theatre the night before.

My assignment to cover the show came at the last minute, so after grabbing my gear I made it into the venue with just minutes to spare before Sparta hit the stage. Despite the quick turnaround, the timing couldn’t have been better.

Sparta—featuring Jim Ward (vocals, guitar), Matt Miller (bass), and Neil Hennessy (drums)—delivered a tight, 35–40 minute set. Their performance included fan favorites like While Oceana Sleeps, Take Back Control, and Air. While the set leaned into their own alt-rock identity, the band also made a point to show deep respect for Cantrell, priming the audience with both high energy and heartfelt words of admiration.

After a brief intermission, anticipation inside the Rialto reached a fever pitch. When the lights dropped and the first note rang out from Cantrell’s guitar, it hit like a freight train—unrelenting, powerful, and locked in. Over the next 90 minutes, Cantrell and his band—Zach Throne (guitar), Eliot Lorango (bass), and Roy Mayorga (drums)—guided the crowd through a journey of solo material, Alice in Chains classics, and even a tribute to Black Sabbath.

The set opened with two tracks from 2024’s I Want Blood—Echoes of Laughter and Vilified—before reaching back to 1998’s Boggy Depot for Dickeye. The crowd responded immediately, shifting from attentive to fully immersed, with headbanging, dancing, and collective singalongs. The momentum continued with Afterglow, Atone, and Psychotic Break before the first Alice in Chains covers of the night.

As soon as the unmistakable riff of Them Bones cut through the room, the venue erupted. Nearly every voice in the house joined in, a powerful reminder of the enduring weight of Cantrell’s songwriting legacy. Rain When I Die followed, slow and crushing, showcasing the band’s dynamic control.

From there, the setlist balanced deep cuts with undeniable crowd-pleasers. Solo staples like Cut You In, My Song, and the title track I Want Blood blended seamlessly with Alice in Chains essentials such as Man in the Box. The main set closed with Angel Eyes, Had to Know, and the haunting Would?, leaving the audience clamoring for more.

The encore carried a heavy emotional weight. With Ozzy Osbourne’s recent passing fresh on everyone’s mind, Cantrell and company paid tribute with a blistering rendition of Symptom of the Universe, with Throne stepping up on vocals. It was both celebratory and cathartic, setting the stage for a powerful finale. The night closed with It Ain’t Like That, Brighten, and an emotional performance of Rooster, Cantrell’s ode to his father’s Vietnam experience—ending the evening on a note as personal as it was legendary.

Four dates into this leg of the tour, Cantrell and his band are already in peak form. For fans of his solo work or Alice in Chains, this show is an absolute must-see: a masterclass in heavy rock delivered by one of the genre’s most influential guitarists.

CLICK HERE for Jerry Cantrell photos

CLICK HERE for Sparta photos

08/16/25 — San Diego, CA — The Observatory North Park

08/17/25 — Anaheim, CA — House of Blues

08/19/25 — Tempe, AZ — Marquee Theatre

08/20/25 — Tucson, AZ — Rialto Theatre

08/22/25 — Dallas, TX — House of Blues

08/23/25 — Austin, TX — Emo’s

08/26/25 — St. Petersburg, FL — Jannus Live

08/27/25 — Orlando, FL — House of Blues

08/29/25 — Columbia, SC — The Senate

08/30/25 — Charleston, SC — The Refinery

09/02/25 — Allentown, PA — Archer Music Hall

09/03/25 — New Haven, CT — Toad’s Place

09/05/25 — Cleveland, OH — House of Blues

09/06/25 — Pittsburgh, PA — Roxian Theatre

09/07/25 — Cincinnati, OH — Bogart’s

09/09/25 — Detroit, MI — Saint Andrew’s Hall

09/10/25 — Davenport, IA — Capitol Theatre

09/12/25 — Minneapolis, MN — Uptown

09/13/25 — La Vista, NE — The Astro - Indoor Theater

09/14/25 — Kansas City, MO — Uptown Theater