Iconic American rock bands Alice In Chains and Breaking Benjamin came together for the first time for a co-headlining tour with special guests Bush, and on beautiful Sunday night tour came to in Jones Beach Theater, Wantagh, NY. That was the fourth show in a massive 30-city trek around the country. This show was simply perfect. Weather was sunny and warm, venue is one of the most amazing as it is located right on the water, performances were out of this world and fans enjoyed every single second of greatest rock music, cold beer, and electrifying atmosphere.

Written by Andris Jansons

The evening started with great performance from The L.I.F.E. Project. The new band organized by Stone Sour guitarist Josh Rand and Paralandra vocalist Casandra Carson. They played wonderful set and we need to keep an eye on this band as it could be destined for a big things. The band will open up the shows on select dates through the month of August.

Bush was next. Whenever Bush plays as special guests, it never feels like it. Their set always feels like rightful headliners set. Band played 10 songs, and with one exception being More Than Machines taken from their upcoming release The Art Of Survival, all others were either from their debut album Sixteen Stone or last one The Kingdom. Gavin Rossdale never changes and his unique performance style with unparalleled energy draws the crowd in to the band’s music. During Flowers on a Grave, Gavin went on his signature venture to roam the crowd while singing the song. He made it all the way to the top and even hoped between private boxes (risky move I would say, as he had to climb several dividers, but all is well that ends well). Every time he does that, he just really brings that connection with the fans to a whole new level. The songs played included such hits as Machinehead, Quicksand, Bullet Holes, Glycerine and Comedown. Glycerine was performed as Gavin’s solo.

See full Bush photo gallery here.

Breaking Benjamin came on around the sunset. That added even more eye-catching scenery especially for those fans in higher seats of amphitheater. In addition, the band quite often used flame throwers and pyro making their performance a true eye candy. Breaking Benjamins set covered their whole discography, representing music from all of their six studio albums.  During the set Ben Burnley went on to tell the crowd how both co-tour bands Bush and Alice In Chains influenced his music and his life, emphasizing that his teenage self would have never believed if anyone would tell him that one day he will share the stage with these two bands. And I believe him, he did look excited. To mention just few of the songs played during the set I would go with So Cold, Breath, Red Cold River and Tourniquet. Special mention must go to bands cover of Queens Who Wants To Live Forever. It was beautifully done acoustic version, with Ben providing contrasting take on vocals, not trying to mimic Feddy Mercury (which is almost impossible for anyone anyways) but delivering the song with his own powerful vocals. Breaking Benjamin finished their set with a real bang, playing I will Not Bow and The Diary of Jane to wrap up the night.

See full Breaking Benjamin photo gallery here.

For me it would become the first-time seeing Alice In Chains live. As the stage crew came to prepare the stage for Alice In Chains, something interesting started to appear – chains. Three massive walls of chains were lifted from the ground up. With lights illuminating them from the front and back it gave the stage mesmerizing look.

While Alice In Chains were formed way back in 1987 by Jerry Cantrell and Sean Kinney and this year marks 35 year anniversary since then. The band have released six studio albums to date. Yes, they were in short hiatus, and with the future uncertain especially with vocalists Layne Staley’s death. But the band regrouped back in 2006 and added William DuVall as vocalist and on rhythm guitar and have stayed together since.

See full Alice In Chains photo gallery here.

Alice In Chains came on the stage playing their hit song Again from their self-titled album and the last one recorded with Staley. While DuVall have never tried to emulate Staley’s singing style, it did felt as original, and with my eyes closed it would not be able to tell the difference, and I mean that in very respectful and positive way. It did seem like William had some trouble with unzipping his leather jacket during the song, and after it ended he headed to the side of the stage where crew member was waiting for him with guitar for the next song Check My Brain. After some short commotion Willliam came over to sing just to have his shirt ripped. Hey, even if that was an accident it made for some fashionable rock’n’roll style.  

While Alice In Chains put heavy emphasis on their most successful album Dirt (sophomore album released in 1992) by playing five songs from it – Angry Chair, Dam That River, Rooster, Them Bones and Would?, the set represented all of the bands albums. It is hard for me to put emphasis on any specific moment in the show as it was amazing experience all together. The songs flowed from the stage flawlessly delivering the fans the best rock experience imaginable.

The tour will continue all the way into the October. Check the list below to see the nearest city to you.  

Wed Aug 17 – Noblesville, IN – Ruoff Music Center

Sat Aug 20 – Council Bluffs, IA – Westfair Amphitheater^^

Mon Aug 22 – Milwaukee, WI – American Family Insurance Amphitheater

Wed Aug 24 – Tinley Park, IL – Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre – Chicago, IL

Sat Aug 27 – Englewood, CO – Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre^^

Mon Aug 29 – Salt Lake City, UT – USANA Amphitheatre

Wed Aug 31 – Bend, OR – Hayden Homes Amphitheater

Fri Sep 2 – Ridgefield, WA – RV Inn Style Resorts Amphitheater

Mon Sep 5 – Mountain View, CA – Shoreline Amphitheatre

Wed Sep 7 – Wheatland, CA – Toyota Amphitheatre

Thu Sep 8 – Irvine, CA – FivePoint Amphitheatre

Sat Sep 10 – Phoenix, AZ – Ak-Chin Pavilion

Sun Sep 11 – Albuquerque, NM – Isleta Amphitheater

Wed Sep 14 – Del Valle, TX – Germania Insurance Amphitheater

Fri Sep 16 – Dallas, TX – Dos Equis Pavilion**

Sat Sep 17 – Houston, TX – The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion presented by Huntsman**

Tue Sep 20 – Rogers, AR – Walmart AMP

Wed Sep 21 – Maryland Heights, MO – Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre – St. Louis, MO

Tue Sep 27 – Raleigh, NC – Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek

Wed Sep 28 – Alpharetta, GA – Ameris Bank Amphitheatre

Fri Sep 30 – Tampa, FL – MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre at the FL State Fairgrounds

Sat Oct 1 – West Palm Beach, FL – iTHINK Financial Amphitheatre

Tue Oct 4 – Charlotte, NC – PNC Music Pavilion

Wed Oct 5 – Bristow, VA – Jiffy Lube Live

Sat Oct 8 – Mansfield, MA – Xfinity Center

**Bush not appearing