ALICE IN CHAINS LIVE!! | WALNUT CREEK
Alice in Chains Live at Walnut Creek – September 27, 2022
Venue: Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek, Raleigh, NC
Tour: American Tour 2022
Support Acts: Breaking Benjamin, Bush, Plush
On a cool September night in Raleigh, Alice in Chains returned to the stage at Walnut Creek with a thunderous performance that reminded fans why they remain one of the most enduring forces in rock. As part of their co-headlining American Tour 2022 with Breaking Benjamin, the band delivered a set that was both a tribute to their grunge roots and a showcase of their continued evolution.
The amphitheater was packed with longtime fans and new listeners alike, all drawn by the promise of raw emotion, heavy riffs, and the unmistakable harmonies that have defined Alice in Chains for over three decades. The band’s 17-song set was a carefully curated journey through their storied discography, blending early ‘90s anthems with deeper cuts and newer material:
“Again” – a powerful opener that set the tone with sludgy riffs and haunting vocals
“Check My Brain” and “Your Decision” – fan favorites from Black Gives Way to Blue
“Grind” and “Them Bones” – gritty, aggressive, and cathartic
“Man in the Box” – performed with Gavin Rossdale of Bush, a surprise collaboration that electrified the crowd
“Nutshell” and “Down in a Hole” – emotionally charged and beautifully delivered
“Would?” and “Rooster” – closing the night with two of the band’s most iconic and emotionally resonant tracks
The setlist pulled heavily from Dirt, Jar of Flies, and their self-titled album, with nods to later works like Rainier Fog and The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here.
Jerry Cantrell and William DuVall shared vocal duties with seamless chemistry, their harmonies evoking the spirit of the late Layne Staley while forging a sound that’s uniquely their own. Cantrell’s guitar tone was as sharp and brooding as ever, while DuVall’s stage presence brought a fresh energy to the band’s legacy.
The rhythm section—Mike Inez on bass and Sean Kinney on drums—anchored the performance with thunderous precision, giving weight to every riff and breakdown. The Walnut Creek crowd was locked in from the first note, swaying and shouting lyrics with reverence. The amphitheater’s natural acoustics and open-air setting added a cinematic quality to the show, especially during the more atmospheric tracks like “Nutshell” and “No Excuses.”
The lighting design was moody and immersive, with deep reds, blues, and shadows that mirrored the band’s sonic palette. It wasn’t just a concert—it was a visceral experience. Alice in Chains’ 2022 stop in Raleigh was more than a nostalgia trip—it was a reaffirmation of their place in rock history. With a setlist that honored their past and embraced their present, the band proved that their music still cuts deep, still matters, and still moves people.
