A Soul of Rock ’n’ Roll Night

August 14th 2025 – Last night, the Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino trembled under the force of a powerhouse performance from The Joe Perry Project. Rock fans from across South Florida packed the venue for a night of pure, unapologetic rock ’n’ roll. With an all-star lineup at his side, Joe Perry led an electrifying 19-song journey filled with deep cuts, Aerosmith staples, and treasures from the band members’ own legendary catalogs.

Frontman Chris Robinson (The Black Crowes) commanded the stage with his trademark swagger, flanked by Robert DeLeo (Stone Temple Pilots) on bass, Aerosmith’s Buck Johnson on keys and backing vocals, and fellow Aerosmith guitarist Brad Whitford. Filling in for Stone Temple Pilots drummer Eric Kretz—who was sidelined by a family emergency—longtime JPP drummer Jason Sutter kept the show’s heartbeat strong and steady.

Photo: Julisa Sandra Marquez

The set opened with “Let the Music Do the Talking,” the title track from Perry’s 1980 solo debut, before charging into “My Fist Your Face,” a rarity not heard live with Aerosmith since the late ’80s. The momentum built with “Same Old Song and Dance,” “East Coast, West Coast,” and “Get the Lead Out,” a deep-cut treat for devoted Aerosmith followers.

Midway through, Robinson lit up the stage with “Fortunate One” from Perry’s Sweetzerland Manifesto MKII, then surprised the crowd with two Black Crowes favorites—“Twice as Hard” and “Jealous Again.” He also tackled Stone Temple Pilots hits “Interstate Love Song” and “Vasoline,” showing both his versatility and his rock ’n’ roll grit.

Perry and crew dug even deeper into Aerosmith’s archives with seldom-heard gems like “Combination,” “Bright Light Fright,” and a rare pairing of “Mama Kin” with “Get It Up”—a combo absent from Aerosmith setlists for decades.

The encore sealed the night’s legacy. Perry, Whitford, and Johnson brought it all home with “Train Kept A-Rollin’” and the timeless “Walk This Way,” sending the packed house into one last roar before the final bow.

Photo: Julisa Sandra Marquez

Opening the Night – Jared James Nichols

Before The Joe Perry Project took the stage, the audience was hit with a high-voltage dose of blues-infused rock courtesy of Jared James Nichols. Wisconsin-born and now based in Nashville, Nichols and his powerhouse trio delivered a riveting 45-minute set that showcased his searing guitar work and soulful, resonant vocals. Proving that a three-piece band can deliver arena-sized energy, Nichols tore into “Threw Me to the Wolves” with raw intensity, while “Nails in the Coffin” stood as a masterclass in modern blues-rock. His magnetic presence and undeniable skill quickly won over the crowd—many of whom arrived not knowing his name but left as new fans.

It was more than a concert—it was a celebration of musical legacies, a meeting of rock titans, and proof that the soul of rock ’n’ roll still beats loud and proud in South Florida.

We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to The Hard Rock Live @ Hollywood, FL for welcoming Echoes Of South Florida to cover this incredible event. It was an honor to be part of such a world-class production, and we’re truly grateful for the opportunity to capture and share the magic of the night. We look forward to many more unforgettable moments together.