Would AIC headlined arenas in 1995 if layne could have toured?

[thunderdan]

"Dirt" was huge but never headlined arenas or sheds. Went number 1, first EP ever in 1994. "Alice in Chains" came out 1995 debuting at number 1. If Layne was good to tour, were they big enough to headline arenas? I think so, shame couldn't have toured behind a great record.

[ar1888]

Absolutely they would have headlined. I did see them open for Kiss the second night of the reunion tour. This was before I had the Internet, so I arrived at the show, not knowing that Alice In Chains was opening. This was shortly after Stone Temple Pilots had to cancel their part of this tour to Scott Weiland’s arrest.

[Mister Freeze]

Probably. From what I recall, their buzz had cooled off a little bit when that self-titled album came out. (The importance of the Unplugged concert is felt more in retrospect than it was at the time.) Their hottest period was around Sap/Jar of Flies.

They were easily the biggest band on the third Lollapalooza tour in 1993. I still have no idea why they went on second-to-last before Primus. Other than that, they never had "the big tour". Saw them play Chicago's Riviera theater in 1992. Check out the front-loading in this setlist.
https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/alice-in ... 65ad4.html

[HueyRamone]

If they would have headlined arenas in 95, they were reduced to arena openers for KISS in 96?

I do like AIC, but they are not the good time rock that arena headliners usually are. I think they coulda been paired with a co-headliner and done arenas, like Pantera/White Zombie did, or something.

[LAglamrocker]

Miami 1995 Super Bowl halftime show with Alice In Chains was the best

[Anthrax442]

I think they coulda been paired with a co-headliner and done arenas, like Pantera/White Zombie did, or something.

This might have worked, team them up with Soundgarden or something. Was just looking through wiki, and apparently in 1994, they were supposed to open for Metallica, and got replaced by CANDLEBOX. Now, I know Candlebox was kind of hot at the time, but that's not a band I would ever have had headlining arenas.

Also, keep in mind Self-Titled/Tripod, while it sold well and debuted at #1 because everyone went out and bought it the first week, wasn't exactly a hit. None of those songs charted outside of the Rock charts, and they had lost a lot of the momentum they had with Jar of Flies.

Fun fact: Alice In Chains only song to EVER hit the Hot 100 was Check My Brain.

[MattA75]

If they would have headlined arenas in 95, they were reduced to arena openers for KISS in 96?

I do like AIC, but they are not the good time rock that arena headliners usually are. I think they coulda been paired with a co-headliner and done arenas, like Pantera/White Zombie did, or something.

they opened for Kiss because they were all huge Kiss fans growing up

Considering they couldn't get Layne to do anything before that or really after that (aside from the Unplugged gig), I think it says quite a bit about how big of Kiss fans they all were

[MattA75]

I think they coulda been paired with a co-headliner and done arenas, like Pantera/White Zombie did, or something.

This might have worked, team them up with Soundgarden or something. Was just looking through wiki, and apparently in 1994, they were supposed to open for Metallica, and got replaced by CANDLEBOX. Now, I know Candlebox was kind of hot at the time, but that's not a band I would ever have had headlining arenas.

Also, keep in mind Self-Titled/Tripod, while it sold well and debuted at #1 because everyone went out and bought it the first week, wasn't exactly a hit. None of those songs charted outside of the Rock charts, and they had lost a lot of the momentum they had with Jar of Flies.

Fun fact: Alice In Chains only song to EVER hit the Hot 100 was Check My Brain.

90s bands and the Hot 100 didn't mesh because a lot of the rock acts from that era didn't release commercial singles stateside...Sour Girl is the only STP song to hit the Hot 100, but Insterstate Love Song was 18 on the hot 100 Airplay chart (for radio spins only)...since there was no commercial single for it, it wasn't eligible for the Hot 100...Better Man by Pearl Jam was similar (#13 Hot 100 Airplay, but no charting on Hot 100), B lack Hole Sun (#9 hot 100 Airplay, no commercial single) along with a ton of other songs from that era that were huge

Ultimately, AIC's biggest barrier to being arena headliners was Layne himself...I don't know if promoters would've taken that chance on them...them opening for Metallica actually would've made sense, but Layne couldn't even get his shit together to make that work...

[Anthrax442]

90s bands and the Hot 100 didn't mesh because a lot of the rock acts from that era didn't release commercial singles stateside...Sour Girl is the only STP song to hit the Hot 100, but Insterstate Love Song was 18 on the hot 100 Airplay chart (for radio spins only)...since there was no commercial single for it, it wasn't eligible for the Hot 100...Better Man by Pearl Jam was similar (#13 Hot 100 Airplay, but no charting on Hot 100), B lack Hole Sun (#9 hot 100 Airplay, no commercial single) along with a ton of other songs from that era that were huge

Ultimately, AIC's biggest barrier to being arena headliners was Layne himself...I don't know if promoters would've taken that chance on them...them opening for Metallica actually would've made sense, but Layne couldn't even get his shit together to make that work...

I agree, you can't go by the charts alone, for sure. But, just for reference, in that era (1996 and prior), Pearl Jam and Soundgarden both had 5 songs on the Hot 100, and Nirvana had 3, and probably would have had more had Kurt not killed himself in 94.

Was just trying to show that they simply weren't on the same level as those other three, hence probably not quite at the arena headliner level, at least not without help.

Fully agree that Layne fucked all that up for them, but let's be honest, he wasn't the only person in the band with problems, he was just the most visible.

[CrankerBait]

No, I don't think so. They're my favorite Seattle band, but the only band in that category that was (and, still is) a proven arena headliner was Pearl Jam. Nirvana was way bigger than AIC, yet most of their In Utero tour hit 5000 seat arenas.

Nothing suggests to me that the self-titled album release in '95 would have resulted in them making the jump from concert halls/theaters to arenas or sheds, especially considering that "grunge" had already peaked.

AIC probably could have done better arena numbers if they'd toured after releasing Jar of Flies, but they still would have needed a strong opening act or two to consistently draw arena-sized crowds, and I'm not sure that would have been enough.

It is too bad because I think AIC music would have worked in larger venues, especially with video screens, a great light show. Anyway, we still have Tool for that.

[LAglamrocker]

I saw Metallica Candlebox Suicidal Tendencies show in San Francisco -Shoreline Amp
Candlebox got booed loudly from fans singer reacted with “ we earned this spot if you continue to boo we will play longer” LOL

I saw the show listed in Metal Edge concert calendar with Alice In Chains listed and went

[crowes74]

I don’t think it would have sold worth a shit, but I bet they would had gave it a go. A couple good support acts in tow and it might had been respectable. They would had been perfect for larger theaters.
They toured arenas with the new singer awhile back I believe, Mastodon (sp?) was on the bill I remember. Think it was on the dinosaur record.

I seen them open for Kiss that album release. They sounded great but Layne was not the front man he had been in the past. Was a statue up there, but man still had the voice.

[Rocker4Real]

Did anyone here see them headline in 92-93? I don't remember them filling arenas at their peak. They were supposed to do a summer tour with Metallica in '94 and pulled out.

[TheSurgeon]

Did anyone here see them headline in 92-93? I don't remember them filling arenas at their peak. They were supposed to do a summer tour with Metallica in '94 and pulled out.

Saw them headline at the Hollywood Paladium in ‘92. That place holds maybe 3-4k.

[skinni]

Possibly.

They were incredible live.

I saw them early on at the Thirsty Whale, a small club in Chicago, and it was an amazing show. After that, I made sure to see them every time they came through Chicago (including the Riv show that Mister Freeze mentioned above).

[Anthrax442]

Possibly.

They were incredible live.

I saw them early on at the Thirsty Whale, a small club in Chicago, and it was an amazing show. After that, I made sure to see them every time they came through Chicago (including the Riv show that Mister Freeze mentioned above).

I never saw them with Layne, but I did seem them with William open up for G'N'R in 2016, and man, it was just great song after great song. The show wasn't that full, because it was an added date after they had sold out the first show, and doing two days at Solider Field was probably a bit aggressive, but the people that were in their seats early were definitely enjoying themselves.

[pieceofme]

Considering the amount of records they sold and where their albums debuted, I'm surprised they were not an arena band.

[War_in_D]

I saw them open for Van Halen in 1991 if that helps out...

[itdoesntmatter]

Probably. From what I recall, their buzz had cooled off a little bit when that self-titled album came out. (The importance of the Unplugged concert is felt more in retrospect than it was at the time.) Their hottest period was around Sap/Jar of Flies.

Exactly how I remember it.
And I was listening to Unplugged earlier.

Layne: This is our best show in 3 years.
Jerry: Layne. Layne! It’s the only show.
Layne: it’s still the best

[JizzySynatra]

Probably. From what I recall, their buzz had cooled off a little bit when that self-titled album came out. (The importance of the Unplugged concert is felt more in retrospect than it was at the time.) Their hottest period was around Sap/Jar of Flies.

They were easily the biggest band on the third Lollapalooza tour in 1993. I still have no idea why they went on second-to-last before Primus. Other than that, they never had "the big tour". Saw them play Chicago's Riviera theater in 1992. Check out the front-loading in this setlist.
https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/alice-in ... 65ad4.html

I recall this as well. The S/T kind of came and went from my recollection. Grind wasn't a great lead single, but I think Heaven Beside You got more consistent airplay. Grunge had cooled off significantly for various reasons (it was a short period of time looking back). I don't remember anyone playing the S/T nearly as much as their older stuff. To me, there were more of a metal band than what was considered grunge. They also didn't change gears much like Peal Jam and Soundgarden did to broaden their sound and audience. I doubt they would have headlined arenas.

[Anthrax442]

Probably. From what I recall, their buzz had cooled off a little bit when that self-titled album came out. (The importance of the Unplugged concert is felt more in retrospect than it was at the time.) Their hottest period was around Sap/Jar of Flies.

They were easily the biggest band on the third Lollapalooza tour in 1993. I still have no idea why they went on second-to-last before Primus. Other than that, they never had "the big tour". Saw them play Chicago's Riviera theater in 1992. Check out the front-loading in this setlist.
https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/alice-in ... 65ad4.html

I recall this as well. The S/T kind of came and went from my recollection. Grind wasn't a great lead single, but I think Heaven Beside You got more consistent airplay. Grunge had cooled off significantly for various reasons (it was a short period of time looking back). I don't remember anyone playing the S/T nearly as much as their older stuff. To me, there were more of a metal band than what was considered grunge. They also didn't change gears much like Peal Jam and Soundgarden did to broaden their sound and audience. I doubt they would have headlined arenas.

This is exactly what I remember as well. Honestly, I think I heard the MTV Unplugged version of "Heaven Beside You" way more than the version from S/T.

[Ralph2]

I spent a fair amount of time with the original band, but no.

Main reason - They had no hits that were crossover.

Rooster, MAYBE....but it was and is a dude-band.

Once Mike left, the original vibe changed and the band was never the same.

Chemistry often times, is more important than musicianship.

When they were on the Halen tour early on, it was huge for them, but they couldn't convert it.

[LAglamrocker]

MM R B Q—headliners 2025!!! Alice In Chains!!!!
Book the seats! Book the flights!!! Eat In Chains..BBQ!!!
Angry BBQ!
Jar Of BBQ!
BBQ In The Box!


May 10 - New Jersey!
That’s Bon Jovi New Jersey!

[Nate S Axel]

"Dirt" was huge but never headlined arenas or sheds. Went number 1, first EP ever in 1994. "Alice in Chains" came out 1995 debuting at number 1. If Layne was good to tour, were they big enough to headline arenas? I think so, shame couldn't have toured behind a great record.

The better question is, if they headlined arenas, what would the presale password have been, and would you have gotten it?

[HueyRamone]

Check out the front-loading in this setlist.
https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/alice-in ... 65ad4.html

Lol, they skip Rooster, but play Sickman. That's not the move if you wanna play arenas

[FreddyFender]

Eh. Maybe.

Sort of a chicken and egg question - Outside of the comments already made by others, AIC was not a well oiled rock and roll marketing machine the way Pearl Jam or Nirvana were.

Songs were good and they sold a lot of records, but so did Wilson Phillips. Carrying a big tour is a different thing.

[Mister Freeze]

I would totally go see Wilson Phillips play arenas.

[dmbrocker]

I would totally go see Wilson Phillips play arenas.

Same. That debut album is one of the best pop albums to come out in 1990.

[Metal Sludge]

Did anyone here see them headline in 92-93? I don't remember them filling arenas at their peak. They were supposed to do a summer tour with Metallica in '94 and pulled out.

They were on that tour. Candlebox, Alice in Chains, and Metallica.
In San Diego, this show was at a place called Brown Field. A defunct Air Force base.
We heard on the radio earlier that day, that Layne Staley OD'ed again, and AIC wouldn't be performing that evening. That was fine, because we were going to see Metallica anyway.
But James Hetfield clowned him. When Metallica first came out, they played the intro to Man in the Box, and he slapped his arm where the veins are, and said, yeah, we won't be hearing that tonight, but we'll play a little longer for you.
I feel like they didn't pull out, more like Metallica threw them off.

[LAglamrocker]

I was at that San Diego show also!
It was a bigger show I believe with Fight on the show
We were on vacation in San Diego- my cousin and her boyfriend were supposed to go to the show but she wasn’t into heavy metal. So at the beach around 3pm I got asked to go!
We went and arrived 15 minutes before Metallica played!
I think he was in the army . Also went on ski trip to Mammoth with them but no Metallica show!