Most of the Bn'R staff was lucky enough to attend a show featuring Alice In Chains opening up for Velvet Revolver.  Craig will take care of reviewing VR, so I will say my piece about one of my favorite bands from the 90s.  Many were skeptical about Alice in Chains touring under that name this year.  It was suggested that they just form a new band with the three surviving members and a new frontman.  Another suggestion was that they go on with Jerry Cantrell singing all vocals.  In the end, they decided to reform with frontman William DuVall, who has toured as Cantrell's guitarist/backup singer in the past.

From the opening lick, you could feel the unbridled energy of a crowd that had unfortunately been robbed of this music way too early.  Cantrell initially emerged in the front, with DuVall staying a step back, but soon they were sharing the stage.  As they tore through a setlist that included many of their greatest hits, you could close your eyes and imagine what it would sound like if Layne Staley was alive today.  DuVall sounded very similar to Staley and Cantrell's harmonizing vocals helped to solidify the image. 

The band as a whole was solid.  Sean Kinney has gotten better in the last ten years, clearly not just sitting at home and eating fruit snacks.  Whether on purpose or not, he gave the drum beats a more accentuated feel.  Mike Inez is still a ball of energy on stage.  Thank goodness he didn't join Metallica when Jason Newsted left 5 years ago.  William DuVall has proved himself to be a suitable replacement for one of the greatest and most tragic frontmen of the last 20 years.  DuVall also contributed on the guitar for several songs, as he has done for Cantrell on the road in the past.  As usual, Jerry Cantrell was a tremendous performer and is the true heart and soul of this band.  He is a very gifted guitar player and was able to sing almost every lyric that he had in the past.  His voice in combination with Layne's was one of the reasons that many considered them the most talented band of the grunge era, and it seems that it transfers over with DuVall.

Their performance was extremely entertaining.  It was worth the price of admission (as were the fights in the crowd and Scott Weiland's possible relapse during VR....hopefully just a case of Scott being Scott).  As I don't have a great memory, Craig was kind enough to help me with the setlist.  If it isn't correct, let us know.

Again
Grind
We Die Young
Them Bones
Down in a Hole
Junkhead
Rain When I Die
Dirt (Thanks to Bn'R visitor Leah for reminding me of this)
Angry Chair
Man in the Box
Would?
Rooster

Below is a video that shows why DuVall is a great choice for a singer.  It features the always entertaining Phil Anselmo singing Would?  At about the 1:27 mark he demands that the crowd shows their hands.  He sounds like Isaac Hayes if he was choking on a dick.  Gotta love old Phil.  It's like he has more testosterone than a bull in heat.