Aerosmith is an iconic American rock band that has been performing for over 50 years. They are known for hits like “Dream On,” “Walk This Way,” and “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing.” In recent years, Aerosmith has been doing a residency show in Las Vegas, but they still tour and do occasional one-off concerts in big venues. One of their most recent major shows outside of Vegas was at Fenway Park in Boston in 2010.
Aerosmith’s History with Boston and Fenway Park
Playing at Fenway Park was a meaningful show for Aerosmith because Boston is their hometown. The band formed in Boston in the 1970s and still has deep roots in the city. Fenway Park is one of the most famous and historic venues in Boston, home of the beloved baseball team the Boston Red Sox. Aerosmith had played at Fenway once before in 2003 for their Girls of Summer Tour. That concert was well-received so there was a lot of excitement and demand for them to return to play Fenway again.
About the 2010 Fenway Show
Aerosmith took the stage at Fenway on August 14, 2010 as part of their Cocked, Locked, Ready to Rock Tour. It was a warm summer night perfect for an outdoor stadium rock concert. The open-air venue allowed for a bigger production and entertainment experience than an indoor arena show. Fenway Park can hold around 37,000 people for a concert. This particular Aerosmith show was notable because it included several opening acts to make it an all-day rock event for fans.
The opening bands that played sets earlier in the day were the J Geils Band, a Boston group famous for the song “Centerfold,” and Dropkick Murphys, a local Celtic punk rock band. Having the opening bands be homegrown Boston groups really helped make the event feel locally-flavored and special for Boston fans.
Fan Excitement and Demand for Tickets
There was extremely high demand for tickets when the Fenway concert was announced in late 2009. Aerosmith is a very popular band with loyal fans who jump at the chance to see them, especially in their hometown. The Fenway Park venue made the event feel even more special. Tickets quickly sold out, with ticket prices ranging from $49 to $175 depending on seat location. On the secondary market, re-sale prices were reportedly as high as $999 per ticket!
How Many People Attended?
Whenever a major rock band plays at an iconic stadium like Fenway Park, there is always a lot of interest around how many people will show up. For a concert that was hard to get tickets for due to quick sell-outs and high demand, Fenway was packed to the brim. Reports state that approximately 36,000 fans attended the 2010 Aerosmith concert.
With the normal maximum concert capacity at Fenway being around 37,000, this indicates the show was completely sold-out. The lower attendance number likely reflects some unsold seats in the highest rows and behind the stage where the views aren’t as good. But for all intents and purposes, it was a full house.
Set List and Fan Reactions
Aerosmith played for over two hours, cramming in as many of their hits as possible into one night. Some fan-favorite songs they performed included:
- “Love in an Elevator”
- “Cryin'”
- “Jaded”
- “Janie’s Got a Gun”
- “Dream On”
- “Sweet Emotion”
- “Walk This Way”
The reviews from fans after the show were extremely positive. Attendees raved about the energy Aerosmith brought, Steven Tyler’s trademark flamboyant stage presence, and the amazing pyrotechnics/visuals that enhanced classics like “Love in an Elevator.” Many fans considered it one of the best shows of the summer and were grateful Aerosmith chose Boston’s beloved Fenway as a venue.
Significance of the Fenway Show
This historic 2010 Fenway concert has become a significant milestone in Aerosmith’s lengthy career. It represents their triumphant return to their hometown and ability to sell out a stadium with over 36,000 fans nearly 40 years into being a band. The show followed a period with some band infighting and uncertainty around their future. But the success and energy of their Fenway Park show proved Aerosmith was still a powerful arena rock draw with devoted multi-generational fans.
Beyond just Aerosmith, the show was also important for Fenway Park and the city of Boston. It demonstrated that the century-old baseball stadium could be transformed into an excellent venue for high-profile rock concerts. Many other big name artists have gone on to hold concerts at Fenway after the stadium management saw how successful an event Aerosmith was able to put on there.
Why the Fenway Show Was Unforgettable
For Aerosmith fans in attendance, the 2010 Fenway Park show provided an unforgettable experience and lifelong memories. Here are some of the key factors that made it so special:
- Seeing their hometown heroes return triumphantly in a historic venue
- The perfect summer night weather and outdoor stadium atmosphere
- Drawing from Boston rock history with opening acts like J Geils Band
- A set list packed with decades of fan favorites and hits
- Steven Tyler’s over-the-top stage antics and flair
- Excellent acoustics and sound quality in the open-air stadium
- Stunning pyrotechnics and light show enhancing the performance
- Sharing the experience with 36,000 other enthusiastic Aerosmith fans
It was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience for those lucky enough to attend the show. Many described it as the best concert they had ever been to. Fenway Park was the perfect place for a historic Boston band like Aerosmith to put on an epic and unforgettable performance.
Conclusion
Aerosmith playing at Fenway Park in Boston in August 2010 was a legendary show that exemplified the band’s enduring popularity and success. Approximately 36,000 fans packed the baseball stadium to maximum capacity to see Steven Tyler, Joe Perry and the rest of the band storm through their extensive catalog of hits. The excitement from fans who consider Fenway hallowed ground made the concert even more special. Decades into their career, Aerosmith could still completely rock a stadium. Their triumphant Fenway homecoming stands as a testament to a great American rock band that has forever left their mark on music history.