Steven Tyler performs with Aerosmith in Lake Tahoe

Hall of Fame Rock N’ Rollers Aerosmith rang in the freedom weekend on July 3rd 2015 at Lake Tahoe Outdoor Arena (at Harvey’s). Steven Tyler pranced around the stage as though he were 30 years younger and the band sounded phenomenal, covering most of the gamut of their 45-year career. Review continued below.

Photo Gallery. All photos by Clay Lancaster (claylancaster.com)

Rising from beneath the stage at about 8:30pm, Tyler and Perry held their poses in the smoke as the band launched into “Let the Music Do the Talking”. Tyler finessed his way around the large stage, up and down the catwalk, showing off his sparkling American Flag jacket in honor of the 4th of July weekend.

Aerosmith was on point musically, which should come as no real surprise as the band have been going at it for 45 years, been inducted into the Rock N’ Roll Hall of Fame, and are often hailed as one of the greatest American bands of all time. Joe Perry’s guitar riffs were cutting and soulful, Brad Whitford’s solos were something to something to behold, and Steven Tyler’s signature yowl filled the arena with energy.

Highlights of the night were “Last Child, “Rag Doll”. “Livin’ on the Edge” and “Sweet Emotion”… all of which were exceptionally (and youthfully) executed.

I would have liked to hear more from the trio of Fairbairn-produced albums (Permanent Vacation, Pump, and Get a Grip), however. Aerosmith’s “No More, No More” was good, and their version of Fleetwood Mac’s “Stop Messin’ Around” was great, but those slots could have been better utilized by filling it with tracks like “Hangman Jury”, or “St. John”, or “Heart’s Done Time”, or “Young Lust”, or “Janie’s Got a Gun”, or “Get a Grip”, or “Eat the Rich”…

You get the picture.

So I was just a tad underwhelmed by the setlist choice (especially from a band with so many incredible tunes to pull from). The fact of the matter though, is that Aerosmith still very muck rocks in a big way, which is something I’m thankful still exists. Catch them on their way around the US this summer if you can… it’ll be worth the price of admission.

Setlist for Aerosmith – Lake Tahoe Outdoor Arena at Harvey’s. July 3rd, 2015:
Let the Music Do the Talking
Love in an Elevator
Cryin’
Jaded
Last Child
Livin’ on the Edge
Toys in the Attic
Drum Solo
Rag Doll
Stop Messin’ Around (Fleetwood Mac cover)
Mama Kin
I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing
Draw the Line
No More No More
Dude (Looks Like a Lady)
Walk This Way
Encore:
Dream On
Sweet Emotion