I wasn’t there to play, just to snap photos, but let me tell you, this show was fire. Filter opened for Jerry Cantrell (Alice In Chains), and as a concert photographer, I gotta say, it was like a dream combo. Raw energy, grunge legends, and a crowd that was just alive. It was a night to remember.

First off, Filter hit the stage and didn’t waste any time. Richard Patrick, man – he’s a beast! He came out swinging with that unapologetic industrial aggression we all know and love. “Hey Man, Nice Shot” was a highlight, of course, but the whole set felt like a punch to the gut in the best way possible. The crowd was into it. That early nineties angst was in full force, with everyone screaming the lyrics like it was 1995. Honestly, I had to pause for a second just to take it in. The kind of energy that makes your camera almost shake in your hands? Yeah, that was happening.

And then, Jerry Cantrell…the Jerry Cantrell. When he walked on stage, I swear the room held its breath for a second. If you don’t know Jerry’s sound by now, let me just say it’s basically the blueprint for grunge. The man’s got a signature tone that just hits. From “Atone” to the signature tour song “I Want Blood,” every song felt like he was weaving stories right to the heart of the crowd. His voice, damn! That raw, emotive sound that’s been a part of the fabric of rock for decades. Watching him play, it was like he was in another world, but the way he connected with everyone there was so very real. Every note was heavy, every word had meaning.

I don’t play an instrument, but I could feel it. The energy in the room was intense, and you could see it on everyone’s faces, people were letting go of something. Maybe it was nostalgia, maybe it was a bit of healing. Hell, it was probably both. And as a photographer, I was just happy to be there, capturing those moments.

The stage setup was killer too. Dark, moody lights with those neon pops that made everything feel like a perfect visual to match the music. Filter had this mechanical precision to their set, like every beat was perfectly timed. And Cantrell’s stage presence? Top-tier. The guy doesn’t just stand there, he commands the stage like the legend he is.

Long story short: Phoenix got lucky. Filter delivered, and Jerry Cantrell? Still a rock God. As a photographer, I got to catch some of that magic, and let me tell you, it was worth every shot. If you weren’t there, yeah, I’ve got the pics, but trust me, you had to feel that energy in person. Hey Man, Nice Set! 

Buy Jerry Cantrell music and merch:
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Buy Filter music and merch:
https://amzn.to/4kHJke3

WORDS AND PHOTOS BY ISABEL UZCATEGUI
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