Little did fans attending Aerosmith’s concert at the UBS Arena in Elmont, New York, last September know that it would be the legendary rock band’s final show. But with the recent announcement that the Rock & Roll Hall of Famers are retiring from touring due to Steven Tyler’s vocal injury, the September 9th concert now stands as a monumental gig.
Thanks to a YouTuber by the name of Toshi Aizawa, the entire show has just been uploaded to YouTube in 4K with “better sound,” as the description cites a remastered version of the audio.
Skimming through the video, Tyler’s voice sounds pretty solid throughout. There’s no clear evidence of the fractured larynx that he apparently suffered at this show, which was only the third gig on the band’s farewell tour. The injury was cited as the reason Aerosmith initially postponed the rest of the dates on the outing, as well as the cause of their retirement from touring altogether.
The footage shows the singer in a jovial mood throughout, singing classics like “Livin’ on the Edge,” “Sweet Emotion,” “Dream On,” and “Walk This Way.” The concert ends with Tyler mentioning that the next day was Joe Perry’s birthday and the crowd serenading the guitarist with “Happy Birthday.”
Aerosmith had been slated to restart their farewell tour in September of this year, but last Friday (August 2nd) they shocked fans when they issued a statement announcing their retirement from touring.
The band’s statement read in part, “We’ve seen [Tyler] struggling despite having the best medical team by his side. Sadly, it is clear, that a full recovery from his vocal injury is not possible. We have made a heartbreaking and difficult, but necessary, decision – as a band of brothers – to retire from the touring stage.”
Watch Aerosmith’s final concert at the UBS Arena on September 9th, 2023, and see the setlist below.
Setlist:
Back in the Saddle
Walking the Dog (Rufus Thomas cover)
Rag Doll
Livin’ on the Edge
Janie’s Got a Gun
No More No More
Cryin’
Adam’s Apple
Seasons of Wither
Movin’ Out
Love in an Elevator
Bright Light Fright
I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing
Rats in the Cellar
Sweet Emotion
Toys in the Attic
Encore:
Dream On
Walk This Way (“Whole Lotta Love” by Led Zeppelin outro)
Happy Birthday to You (sung by the crowd to Joe Perry)
