Aerosmith returns to the stage in Los Angeles: Guns N’ Roses join two concerts at the Hollywood Bowl
American rock band Aerosmith has announced two special concerts at the Hollywood Bowl outdoor amphitheater in Los Angeles on October 29 and November 1, 2026. The performances, titled "California, Dream On: Aerosmith & Friends", will be the band's first announced major concerts since the interruption of their "Peace Out" farewell tour and their decision in 2024 to stop touring regularly. The announcement attracted additional attention after it was confirmed that Guns N’ Roses, one of America's best-known hard rock bands, would also join the lineup on both nights.
According to Aerosmith's official announcement on October 7, these will be two separate concert evenings conceived as a celebration of the band's more than five decades of musical history. Numerous performers from different generations will participate, and the musical program will not necessarily be identical on both dates. Additional confirmation of Guns N’ Roses' participation came on October 8, after their members Slash and Duff McKagan had already appeared on the initial guest list. General ticket sales are scheduled for Saturday, October 10, at 10 a.m. Pacific Daylight Time, corresponding to 5 p.m. UTC.
Why is Aerosmith's return so significant?
Aerosmith began their "Peace Out" farewell tour on September 2, 2023, in Philadelphia, and after a performance in Pittsburgh, they played a concert on September 9 in Elmont, New York State. It was after these three performances that the tour was halted due to serious vocal problems affecting singer Steven Tyler. In September 2023, it was announced that Tyler had suffered not only a vocal cord injury but also a fractured larynx, leading to the initial postponement of the remaining concerts. Plans to resume the tour subsequently changed, but the performances never resumed.
On August 2, 2024, Aerosmith's members announced that they were retiring from touring. In their official statement, they explained that Tyler had spent months trying to recover with medical assistance, but that a complete recovery of his voice was not possible. At the time, the decision was presented as the end of the band's touring activities, not as a prohibition against any possible future appearance on stage. Therefore, the Hollywood Bowl announcement does not automatically mean a return to a schedule of months-long tours: for now, only two special performances have been officially confirmed.
The distinction between individual guest appearances and a full concert performance is also important. Tyler has appeared at selected musical events in the meantime, including during 2025, but these were not the same as Aerosmith reuniting for two evenings under their own name. The Los Angeles Times reports that the singer performed with Joe Perry and Yungblud at the MTV Video Music Awards and participated in Ozzy Osbourne's farewell concert. The new concerts therefore represent a different level of public comeback, but they do not provide grounds for concluding that the band has reversed its decision to permanently end regular touring.
Guns N’ Roses confirmed for both nights
Aerosmith's initial announcement included guitarist Slash and bassist Duff McKagan, both members of Guns N’ Roses, among the invited musicians. The following day brought an important addition: Guns N’ Roses were announced as very special guest performers at both concerts, on October 29 and November 1. Music outlets JamBase and Blabbermouth reported the information on October 8, referring to an additional concert announcement. This confirmed the participation of the entire band, rather than just two of its members in individual collaborative performances.
However, the precise schedule of performers taking the stage has not yet been released. It has not been confirmed which songs Guns N’ Roses will perform, whether some members will also participate in the collaborative portion of Aerosmith's program, or how long individual performances will last. Organizers have explicitly warned that the guest lineup may differ between the two evenings and that the final schedule will be announced shortly before the concerts or during the events themselves. Confirmation of Guns N’ Roses' presence on both dates therefore does not mean that every other announced performer will appear on both days.
The connection between the two bands also has a historical dimension. Guns N’ Roses performed as an opening act for Aerosmith during their major breakthrough in the late 1980s, and Slash has repeatedly emphasized the influence of the Boston band's earlier albums on his development as a guitarist. According to earlier statements reported by Blabbermouth, the 1976 album "Rocks" was particularly important to him. The joint performances at the Hollywood Bowl thus reunite two bands whose careers had intersected even before they became globally renowned live performers.
Extensive guest list, but different programs each night
Alongside Guns N’ Roses, organizers have announced The Black Crowes, Run-D.M.C., Heart, Billy Idol, Eric Church, Sammy Hagar, Tom Morello and Marcus King. The list also includes Jerry Cantrell and Mike Inez of Alice in Chains, Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith, Extreme guitarist Nuno Bettencourt, Train singer Pat Monahan and Sully Erna of Godsmack. Andrew Watt, Steve Stevens, Adam Wakeman, Audley Freed and Kenny Aronoff have also announced their performances or participation in the program. The lineup represents a broad selection of artists, ranging from classic hard rock and blues rock to alternative rock, country and hip-hop.
Producer and bassist Don Was will serve as musical director for the two concerts, according to JamBase. His role suggests that the program will require coordination among numerous guests and changes in the lineup of musicians throughout the evenings, although details of individual performances have not been confirmed. Aerosmith and the organizers have also indicated the possibility of additional names and surprise appearances on stage. Visitors choosing between the two dates should therefore avoid interpreting the initial combined list of participants as the final schedule for a particular evening.
The participation of Run-D.M.C. is particularly interesting, as the hip-hop group created one of the most influential collaborations in popular music with Aerosmith. Their joint 1986 version of "Walk This Way" helped bring rock and hip-hop together for audiences who had not necessarily followed both genres before. The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame highlights this recording as a key example of musical crossover between genres. Whether "Walk This Way" will be performed by a combined lineup in Los Angeles has not yet been officially announced.
A musical legacy that extends beyond the farewell tour
Aerosmith was formed in Boston in 1970, and the members who have defined the band's history include Steven Tyler, Joe Perry, Brad Whitford, Tom Hamilton and Joey Kramer. Their 1973 debut album already featured "Dream On", a song that later became one of their signatures and inspired the name of the new concerts. Albums and songs such as "Toys in the Attic", "Rocks", "Sweet Emotion" and "Walk This Way" followed, while later hits expanded their audience far beyond fans of classic hard rock. Among them is the ballad "I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing", associated with the film "Armageddon".
According to the Recording Academy, Aerosmith has won four Grammy Awards, with winning recordings including "Janie’s Got a Gun", "Livin’ on the Edge", "Crazy" and "Pink". The band was also inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2001. These achievements explain why the Hollywood Bowl concerts are being presented as a celebration of the band's entire career rather than merely a return to one particular era. At the same time, the announcement does not include an officially confirmed setlist, making it impossible to say with certainty which of their greatest hits will be performed.
Activities involving Aerosmith did not completely cease after the tour was canceled. In November 2025, "One More Time", a collaborative EP by Aerosmith and British musician Yungblud, was released. According to the band's official statement dated November 21, the release contains five tracks, including four new original songs and a new version of the classic "Back in the Saddle". The lead single was "My Only Angel", and the project marked the first new musical material associated with Aerosmith in more than a decade. The collaboration demonstrated the possibility of selected musical projects outside the demanding routine of touring, but it did not in itself constitute an announcement of new concert tours.
Hollywood Bowl as the venue for two special performances
The Hollywood Bowl is one of Los Angeles' most recognizable outdoor concert venues, located in the Hollywood neighborhood. According to the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the amphitheater was built in 1922 and has a capacity of approximately 17,500 people. Its expansive audience area and stage beneath the distinctive shell-shaped structure have hosted orchestras, popular performers and special musical events for decades. In this context, the choice of venue for a program bringing together a large number of guests is understandable, although the organizers have not released the final production schedule.
Different starting times have been listed for the concerts. According to Ticketmaster's official pages, the performance on Thursday, October 29, is scheduled for 7 p.m., while the concert on Sunday, November 1, is announced for 6:30 p.m., Los Angeles local time. Visitors should bear in mind that schedules and entry information may be updated and that the two evenings may not feature identical content. The concerts are currently presented as a limited event titled "California, Dream On: Aerosmith & Friends", rather than the beginning of a new series of dates in other cities.
Ticket sales begin October 10, following earlier presales
General ticket sales are scheduled to begin on October 10, 2026, at 10 a.m. Pacific Daylight Time (PDT). According to Aerosmith's announcement, holders of certain Citi cards had access to a presale beginning October 8, while members of the official Aero Force One fan club received a special presale window on October 9. Tickets and official information for both dates are available through the concert website and authorized ticketing system. Since ticket availability and prices may change, amounts displayed during the presale should not be considered guaranteed when general sales begin.
The official ticketing pages also list packages with additional benefits, including VIP options, whose contents vary depending on the type of offer. Ticketmaster specifies a limit of eight tickets per purchaser for the events and warns that supporting performers are subject to change. The published terms also highlight restrictions concerning ticket refunds and exchanges, making it necessary to check the conditions of the specific offer before purchasing. This is particularly important for people planning to travel to Los Angeles exclusively for one of the concerts.
The Hollywood Bowl is located at 2301 North Highland Avenue. According to the venue management's instructions, on-site parking is limited, and visitors are advised to arrive at least 90 minutes before the performance begins. Transportation options include organized Park & Ride buses, dedicated shuttle services and public transportation to the Hollywood/Highland station, from which visitors can continue to the concert venue. Those traveling from other cities may also find accommodation options in Los Angeles useful, along with planning their return transportation after the evening ends.
Charitable component and questions that remain unanswered
The event's official website states that a portion of concert proceeds will benefit Janie’s Fund, an organization founded by Steven Tyler. According to information from the Recording Academy, the initiative works with the nonprofit organization Youth Villages to provide assistance to girls who have experienced abuse or neglect. Ticketmaster also states that a portion of ticket proceeds will support the LA County Parks Foundation in restoring parks affected by wildfires in the Los Angeles area. The precise amounts to be raised and the final allocation of funds have not yet been publicly confirmed.
Despite the considerable interest generated by the announcement, several important questions remain officially unanswered. It is not known whether Aerosmith will announce additional individual performances after November 1, nor has it been confirmed that the Hollywood Bowl concerts will be the last of the band's career. Likewise, the final division of the program between the two evenings, the order of guest appearances and possible collaborative performances have yet to be announced. What is clear for now is that Aerosmith, after more than three years without a regular major concert performance, is returning to the audience in a special format that brings together performers associated with different periods of the band's musical influence.
Sources:
- Aerosmith – official announcement of the concerts, performers and ticket sale dates (link)
- Aerosmith – statement on the retirement from touring in August 2024 (link)
- JamBase – confirmation of Guns N’ Roses' participation on both dates and program organization (link)
- Blabbermouth – additional guest announcement and the history of collaboration between the two bands (link)
- Ticketmaster – event time and ticket sales conditions for the October 29 concert (link)
- Ticketmaster – schedule and information about the November 1 concert (link)
- Official California Dream On website – event dates, changing lineup and Janie’s Fund (link)
- Los Angeles Philharmonic – basic information about the Hollywood Bowl and its capacity (link)
- Hollywood Bowl – address, transportation and directions (link)
- Recording Academy – Grammy history, Aerosmith's lineup and the work of Janie’s Fund (link)
- Rock & Roll Hall of Fame – Aerosmith's induction into the Hall of Fame (link)
- Rock & Roll Hall of Fame – significance of the collaboration between Aerosmith and Run-D.M.C. (link)
- Aerosmith – announcement of the "One More Time" EP with Yungblud (link)
- Los Angeles Times – context of the return to the stage and earlier individual performances (link)