Joe Perry Project and Charlie Edward @ History, Toronto, Ontario 8-16-25

Since Aerosmith isn’t able to tour due to Steven Tyler’s vocal issues, guitarist Joe Perry has decided to take his solo band out for some dates. There have been been a few incarnations of the Joe Perry Project over the years. The 2025 version is led by Perry on lead guitar, his Aerosmith bandmate Brad Whitford on rhythm guitar, Buck Johnson on organ, Jason Sutter on drums, Robert DeLeo from Stone Temple Pilots on bass and Chris Robinson of the Black Crowes on vocals. The band are only doing an 11 date run. For the two shows in Canada (including this one), up and comer Charlie Edward opened up the show.

Edwards and his band took the stage at 8pm sharp. The 22 year old just released his first EP called ‘Let me Go’ in June. The 7 song set was extremely energetic. Edwards already has the rock star persona ion his delivery and how he addressed the crowd. His voice reminded me of a young Bon Jovi with a little more power. He also played electric guitar too. “Lose Control” and “Are You Happy Now?” were set highlights. The future is bright for a young Mr. Edwards.

The Joe Perry Project took the stage at about 9:10pm. The appropriate “Let the Music do the Talking” opened up the show. Perry addressed the crowd a bunch of times throughout the show. That included talking about his band and introducing a few songs. One of things he mentioned was a deep affinity for the Black Crowes song “Twice As Hard,” which they ultimately played. Perry talked about how he and Robinson wrote the song “Fortunate One” with for Perry’s last solo album ‘Sweetzerland Manifesto MKII.’ Robinson’s voice was stellar all night and this was perfect example of it. They dipped into the Stone Temple Pilots catalog a few times as well. With “Interstate Love Song,” Johnson’s organ gave it a new flavor and feel to it. Most of the Aerosmith’s songs were of the deeper cut variety. Before the song “Combination,” Perry introduced the band and when it came time to introduce Perry, Robinson said no need for his introduction as he is the logo. It was very funny moment. Perry and Whitford went back and forth about the track “Get It Up.” Perry wasn’t sure if it was ever played before. Whitford confirmed it wasn’t. It was so cool to hear a deep track like this. Perry dedicated “Won’t Le Me Go” to the memory of Terry Reid, who passed away earlier this summer. Robinson introduced “Bright Fright Light” as Perry’s punk fu*king rock song.” They ended the set with my 2 favorite Aerosmith songs in “Chip Away at The Stone” and “Draw the Line.” The latter is where Perry took his short off and whipped it against his guitar. The band closed their set by playing traditional Aerosmith songs in “Walk This Way and “Train Kept A-Rollin.”

The guitar work between both Perry and Whitford just flowed seamlessly (as you would expect) throughout the show. The low end was tight. Perry remarked during the show that Suter saved their ass. The reason he said that was the original drummer Eric Kretz (Stone Temple Pilots) had to step away from the tour for personal reasons. It was announced a very short time before the tour started. Perry and his bandmates showed careful consideration for the setlist for this tour. If your a die hard Aeromsith fan, you absolutely loved it. Even if your not, the musical talent on that stage was off the charts. The appreciation that the band showed by giving the fans something that they didn’t expect was really a treat. This setlist was really well constructed for all fans.

Setlist:

Let the Music Do the Talking

My Fist Your Face (Aerosmith song)

Mama Kin (Aerosmith song)

East Coast, West Coast

Get the Lead Out/Heartbreaker (Led Zeppelin cover)

Twice as Hard (The Black Crowes song)

Fortunate One

Interstate Love Song (Stone Temple Pilots song)

Combination (Aerosmith song)

Get it Up (Aerosmith song)

Vasoline (Stone Temple Pilots song)