Unless you live in a box [no pun intended], you will know that I am a mahoosive fan of Jerry Cantrell and Alice in Chains. In fact, Boggy Depot inspired us JC fans to go to deepest, darkest Oklahoma to track down said depot [pronounced deeeeep – oh] in them there parts of the US of A. It is a location where Jerry used to hang out and is featured on the album’s iconic cover of his debut solo outing, Degradation Trip.
Jerry Cantrell
O2 Forum Kentish Town – 17 June 2025
Words: Sara Harding
Photography: Ryan Hildrew
Jerry Cantrell is not just a songwriter. He is an architect in creating the unique sound that dominated the early ’90s with Alice In Chains and his unique style is just as integral with his solo outings. 
It’s not often us music journo’s forego the lure of a pre-gig lady petrol [white wine] but with JC gigs, it is always an event. Fans and friends all meet up early to secure their position on the barriers and enjoy the buzz of a pre-gig banter.
Tonight’s gig in London promised to deliver a setlist of classic Alice In Chains anthems, Cantrell’s standout solo songs, plus new material from his latest album I Want Blood.
As the band and Jerry step on the stage at the O2 Forum Kentish Town, we are all upstanding, in full fan mode and screaming the familiar chants of “Jerry, Jerry, Jerry.”
Cantrell salutes a very hot and packed Kentish Town kicking off with a trip back to that there Boggy Depot album with Psychotic Break. A whirring guitar lead frenzy of a song that is an all-out way to kick off this Cantrell setlist. The audience is already pulsing.
Bursting straight into an Alice In Chains anthem as we travel sonically back to 1992’s second album, Dirt for Them Bones. As those shrieks rain out from both crowd and Cantrell into that de-tuned awesomeness of guitar, I’m so excited I’ve spilt my water everywhere.
Everyone is arm in arm and singing those harmonies – you are welcome, Jerry. This song is as relevant and fresh as it was back in the ’90s.
With Dillinger Escape Plan’s Greg Puciato duelling on vocals with Cantrell’s incredible chops, this was a lesson in how to perform the incredible two-part vocal songs that Cantrell is so famous for composing. Puciato is a powerhouse vocalist and is instantly out in the crowd. 
Vilified is up next, and this is the first London outing for this killer song from the latest solo album, I Want Blood. Every time I hear this song it just gets better and better with a belter of a chorus as we all sing along at the tops of our voices.
Jerry and his crew of brothers take in the sight of us all sweating like crazy and full of joy and simply says, “London…London… London.” Then they power us into Afterglow from the latest drop, I Want Blood. It’s so great, after reviewing this album, to hear the songs live and loud. 
Time for a breather as JC breaks into a slower-paced song Atone, from his last solo album outing, Brighten and, is again packed with Cantrell’s DNA. I note that they have changed it up from the last Jerry Cantrell tour – always keeping his sound fresh and exciting. Siren Song is next on the setlist as we travel back once again to 2021’s Brighten.
Then, as Jerry’s guitar tech brings on the Vocoder, we all realise it’s Man In The Box time. The atmosphere by now is up to 11, with absolutely every person at this sold-out gig in solidarity at what they are witnessing. I will never tire of hearing this masterpiece and singing along to JC’s parts at the top of my voice. 
Cantrell looks at the mayhem and merriment at this sold-out show and laughs with his signature dirty chuckle, and you can tell he loves this. “What’s up London?”
Cut You In is so freakishly catchy. Soft lyrical verses lure you in, then a huge power punch into the chorus and crowd chants of “Cut You In”. So great to take an aural vacay back to Degradation Trip as he continues with My Song.
Fast forward to the now, and we are treated to another track from the hot new album drop with Off The Rails and then into the huge earworm rock anthem and title track I Want Blood. Literally, grown-ass men are losing their shit to this in front of us – all brothers in arms and living in the moment. 
Jerry’s guitar work is so up there. He performs flawlessly and gets sounds out of his guitars other axemen would only dream of. And can I say a huge kudos to the band that accompanies Jerry so flawlessly? And Jerry agrees as he hollers, “Make some noise for this fucking awesome band.”
Which, of course, we do in spades.
As we hear the opening chords to Down In A Hole, which became the go-to song for many of us angst-ridden teens back in the day, Cantrell doesn’t even need to sing as we are all performing it with the band.
A truly magical moment for fans uniting their musical hero. Spine tingling. As my bestie Chloe from Radio 1 turned to me and shouted, “There’s no-one I’d rather be down in a hole with’, we had a total gig moment. 
We are treated to two more songs, with Had to Know and Angel Eyes, and then it’s slap bang into Would?
Jerry and his tight-as-tight band said thank you and left, but the noise from O2 Forum Kentish Town was insane as we all screamed for more at the top of our lungs.
And we were not disappointed as JC and co came back on sharpish for an epic encore. Kicking off with an Alice In Chains classic Hate To Feel, then a rapid zap forward to 2022 for Brighten.
Then it’s the finale as Jerry tunes into his most personal song Rooster, with the dirtiest, dirty guitar drone and lyrics of his father. It is a constant on the Alice In Chain setlist and what a way to end this gig.
And then, alas, it was time to say hasta la vista to Jerry Cantrell as he headed off for a few more solo gigs and Ozzy Osbourne’s last big Black Sabbath farewell.
As we left the O2 Forum Kentish Town, our ears ringing and sweat pouring off us, we were totally buzzing and singing I Cut You In badly to a packed tube. This is what gig life is all about.
If you want more Jerry Jerry Jerry, head over to Trust In Rock where MTV’s Headbanger legend Vanessa Warwick catches up with Jerry Cantrell in a totally shamazing interview. 
Huge thanks to William Luff, Tracy Ketcher and Jerry Cantrell fans globally.
Huge rocking love and get well vibes to Sean Kinney and hugs to my banana-eating bro Mike Inez.
