Aerosmith is one of the most iconic and beloved rock bands of all time. They rose to fame in the 1970s with hits like “Dream On” and “Walk This Way” and have sold over 150 million albums worldwide. Aerosmith is known for their high energy live shows and have toured extensively over their 50+ year career. As one of the best-selling American rock bands ever, Aerosmith has made multiple stops in Portland, Oregon over the decades.
Aerosmith’s History with Portland
Portland has long been a popular tour stop for Aerosmith. Located in the Pacific Northwest, Portland’s vibrant music scene and passionate fanbase has made it a prime spot for rock acts to perform at over the years. Aerosmith has brought their renowned live shows to various venues around town including the Moda Center, Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Civic Stadium, and more.
Some key highlights of Aerosmith’s history performing in Portland include:
- September 13, 1976 – Aerosmith plays their “Rocks” tour at the Multnomah County Expo Center in Portland with opening act AC/DC.
- August 16, 1977 – The band performs at the Coliseum as part of their “Draw the Line” tour.
- November 2, 1979 – Aerosmith appears at the Coliseum again for their “Night in the Ruts” tour.
- December 6, 1987 – During their “Permanent Vacation” comeback, Aerosmith plays at Portland’s Veterans Memorial Coliseum.
- September 8, 1994 – The band’s famous “Get a Grip” tour stops in Portland for a packed show at the Coliseum.
Over the years, Portland crowds have been able to see the evolution of Aerosmith’s live performances across their many eras and album cycles. The band’s shows in Portland have featured both their beloved old classics as well as new material they were touring behind at the time.
Noteworthy Portland Concerts
Two of Aerosmith’s most famous Portland shows were in 1977 and 1994.
In 1977, Aerosmith came to the Coliseum on August 16th as part of their “Draw the Line” tour. The band played a fiery set featuring classics like “Walk This Way” along with new material from Draw the Line like “Kings and Queens” and the title track. This show came during a transitional era for Aerosmith as their original lineup started fraying – it would prove to be the last tour with drummer Joey Kramer for several years before the band reunited their classic lineup in 1984. However, the 1977 Portland show still captured Aerosmith at the height of their early success and popularity.
Fast forward to September 8, 1994, when Aerosmith returned triumphantly to Portland for their “Get a Grip” tour. This tour saw the veteran band experience a major comeback in the era of grunge rock thanks to chart-topping power ballads like “Cryin'” and “Crazy” as well as rockers like “Eat the Rich”. Their 1994 Moda Center (then called the Rose Garden) show in Portland was packed with fans who were blown away by the band’s renewed energy and sterling setlist of classics and new hits. This show came during a peak period for Aerosmith’s resurgence in the 90’s and topped off a great night of rock and roll during the “Get a Grip” tour.
Setlists Played in Portland
Throughout their various Portland shows over the decades, Aerosmith has mixed up their setlists to feature both fan favorites and newer material from whatever album they were supporting at the time.
Some standout songs Aerosmith has played frequently during their Portland concerts include:
- “Walk This Way”
- “Sweet Emotion”
- “Dream On”
- “Love in an Elevator”
- “Janie’s Got a Gun”
- “Last Child”
- “Livin’ on the Edge”
Other songs that have regularly popped up on Aerosmith’s Portland setlists over the years:
- “Toys in the Attic”
- “Draw the Line”
- “Kings and Queens”
- “Chip Away the Stone”
- “Angel”
- “Rag Doll”
- “Dude (Looks Like a Lady)”
- “Cryin'”
- “Crazy”
- “Deuces are Wild”
- “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing”
Of course Aerosmith has mixed in various deeper cuts, covers, and new songs depending on the era. But Portland crowds have been treated to many of the band’s most beloved smash hits and fan favorites over the past five decades when seeing Aerosmith live.
Why Portland is a Great Aerosmith City
There are a few key reasons why Portland has continued to be such a popular tour stop and great city for Aerosmith over the decades:
- Passionate fanbase – Portland has always been home to passionate rock music fans who love high energy arena acts like Aerosmith.
- Strong rock music history – The Pacific Northwest has cultivated many great rock bands and appreciates rock icon legacy acts like Aerosmith.
- Great venues – Portland has had top-notch venues for Aerosmith to play at over the years like the Moda Center and Veterans Memorial Coliseum.
- Vibrant city – Portland’s culture, nightlife, and amenities make it a popular destination for touring bands.
- Location – Being in the Northwest gives Aerosmith a nice geographic coverage when touring nationally.
When you combine Portland’s savvy rock fans, history of loving arena rock, top-tier venues, and overall great city vibe – it’s no wonder Aerosmith has hit this city up so often over their long career.
Timeline of Aerosmith Portland Concert History
Here is a timeline showcasing all the times Aerosmith has performed in Portland over the decades:
Date | Venue | Tour |
---|---|---|
September 13, 1976 | Multnomah County Expo Center | Rocks Tour |
August 16, 1977 | Veterans Memorial Coliseum | Draw the Line Tour |
November 2, 1979 | Veterans Memorial Coliseum | Night in the Ruts Tour |
December 6, 1987 | Veterans Memorial Coliseum | Permanent Vacation Tour |
September 8, 1994 | Moda Center (Rose Garden) | Get a Grip Tour |
August 24, 2009 | Sleep Country Amphitheater | Guitar Hero: Aerosmith Tour |
August 31, 2010 | Sleep Country Amphitheater | Cocked, Locked, Ready to Rock Tour |
July 30, 2012 | Sleep Country Amphitheater | Global Warming Tour |
September 10, 2014 | Moda Center | Let Rock Rule Tour |
April 27, 2017 | Moda Center | Aero-Vederci Baby! Tour |
August 5, 2022 | Moda Center | 2022 Tour |
As you can see, Aerosmith has made Portland a regular tour stop decade after decade. The iconic rockers have played some of their most famous tours, albums, and eras in Portland over the past 50+ years.
Most Recent Portland Show in 2022
Aerosmith’s most recent Portland show was just this past August 5, 2022 at the Moda Center. This performance was part of the band’s ongoing 2022 tour featuring classic Aerosmith tunes as well as deeper cuts.
The setlist from Aerosmith’s 2022 Moda Center show included:
- “Train Kept A-Rollin'”
- “Mama Kin”
- “Back in the Saddle”
- “Let the Music Do the Talking”
- “Jaded”
- “Deuces are Wild”
- “Hangman Jury”
- “Seasons of Wither”
- “Cryin'”
- “Livin’ on the Edge”
- “Sweet Emotion”
- “Dude (Looks Like a Lady)”
- “Dream On”
- “Toys in the Attic”
- “Walk This Way”
- “Same Old Song and Dance”
- Encore: “Boogie Man”
- Encore: “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing”
- Encore: “Walk This Way”
The 2022 show saw Aerosmith deliver a career-spanning set with fan favorites as well as deep cuts like “Seasons of Wither”, “Let the Music Do the Talking” and “Hangman Jury”. Lead singer Steven Tyler was in fine form belting out classics while guitarists Joe Perry and Brad Whitford traded smoking guitar licks.
The Portland crowd was extremely enthusiastic, singing loudly along to staples like “Sweet Emotion” and “Dream On”. Tyler also interacted frequently with fans near the stage and catwalk, acknowledging fans’ signs and handing out various gifts like scarves and tambourines.
Overall, Aerosmith’s 2022 Moda Center show this past August demonstrated why the band remains a powerful arena rock act even after five decades. The Portland fans welcomed Aerosmith back warmly once again for a night of the band’s huge hits and deep cuts.
Future Shows in Portland?
Given how regularly Aerosmith has toured and played in Portland over the years, it seems very likely they will be back again before too long. However, there are no officially announced upcoming Portland dates on Aerosmith’s current tour schedule.
Some key factors that may influence when Aerosmith returns again to Portland:
- How extensive future tour legs are and what regions they hit – If upcoming tours focus on areas outside the Northwest, Portland may wait longer.
- Steven Tyler’s schedule – As lead singer, Tyler’s availability often determines when bigger tours happen.
- Music festivals – Aerosmith could potentially do Portland festivals like the Moda Center’s annual July 4th show.
- Band health – The stamina of Tyler and the other 60-something members could dictate touring frequency.
- Farewell tour? – One last big global tour would likely include a Portland stop.
But given Portland’s history as an amazing Aerosmith city, it seems likely they’ll be back at venues like the Moda Center sooner rather than later. Few bands can match the longevity and continued excellence of Aerosmith’s live shows, which Portland crowds will surely enjoy when the next tour plays here.
Conclusion
In summary, Aerosmith has a long and celebrated history of performing in Portland, Oregon dating back to the mid 1970s. Over the past five decades, fans have been able to see the evolution of Aerosmith’s high-energy arena rock spectacle during the many stops in Portland the band has made across their various tours, albums, and eras.
From their 1970s Portland shows supporting legendary albums like “Rocks” to their continued visits in recent years at venues like the Moda Center, Aerosmith always delivers an amazing experience when they come to town. The Portland crowds reciprocate with passionate singing and enthusiasm at each show, making it a great rock music city for Aerosmith to return to year after year.
Though no upcoming dates are yet scheduled, there’s little doubt Aerosmith will be back rocking Portland stages again before long as part of their ongoing legendary career. For 50 years and counting, the unique chemistry between Aerosmith’s live excellence and Portland’s devoted audiences has made for an incredible concert history.