Aerosmith to return to the stage with two all-star concerts at the Hollywood Bowl

Return to the Hollywood Bowl

Aerosmith will return to live performance with two concerts at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles on October 29 and November 1, 2026. Billed as "California, Dream On: Aerosmith & Friends," the shows mark the band's first announced stage appearances since retiring from touring in August 2024. The band announced the event on social media with a video showing frontman Steven Tyler and rock photographer Ross Halfin placing letters on the Hollywood Bowl marquee sign. When Halfin asked Tyler if he missed performing on stage, the singer gave a playful response.

Of all the things I've lost, I miss my mind the most.

Ticket sales will begin with a Citi cardmember presale on October 8 at 10 a.m. PT, followed by additional presales leading to a general public on-sale on October 10 at 10 a.m. PT.

An all-star guest lineup

Producer Don Was will serve as music director for the two Los Angeles performances. The shows will feature a shifting roster of guest musicians across both evenings, with organizers stating that final nightly lineups will be confirmed at or near showtime. Scheduled performers include Run-D.M.C., Billy Idol, Eric Church, Slash, the Black Crowes, Heart, Andrew Watt, Chad Smith, and Duff McKagan. Additional confirmed participants include Jerry Cantrell, Marcus King, Mike Inez, Nuno Bettencourt, Pat Monahan, Sammy Hagar, Steve Stevens, Sully Erna, Tom Morello, Adam Wakeman, Audley Freed, and Kenny Aronoff. Organizers plan to announce further guests and surprise appearances in the weeks leading up to the shows.

The 2023 injury and touring retirement

The upcoming Hollywood Bowl concerts follow a three-year period away from full-scale live performances. Aerosmith originally announced a 40-date North American farewell tour, titled "Peace Out," on May 1, 2023. Drummer Joey Kramer sat out the tour to focus on family and health, with John Douglas filling in on drums. Guitarist Joe Perry commented on the timing of that farewell trek prior to its launch.

I think it's about time. You never know how much longer everybody's going to be healthy to do this.

The tour opened in Philadelphia on September 2, 2023, featuring songs such as "Love in an Elevator," "Sweet Emotion," "Dream On," "Adam's Apple," "Hangman's Jury," and "No More No More." The band played only three dates before Tyler suffered a fractured larynx during a concert in Elmont, New York. After initially postponing dates, the band canceled the tour and announced in August 2024 that full recovery from Tyler's vocal injury was not possible, officially ending their touring career.

Tyler's road to the stage

Despite retiring from touring, Tyler made occasional one-off stage appearances during his recovery. He performed at a Grammy Awards watch party in February 2025, at charity events for Janie's Fund, and joined Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath for a farewell concert in July 2025. Tyler also faces a civil lawsuit alleging sexual abuse of a minor, though a new hearing date remains unscheduled following the recusal of the presiding judge. The two California dates in October and November will bring the full band back to the stage for their first dedicated concerts since the 2023 tour stoppage.