Aerosmith have teased a return to the stage at the Hollywood Bowl, potentially ending a live-performance absence of more than three years.

Steven Tyler, 78, joined rock photographer Ross Halfin in a short video released Monday, Oct. 5, featuring the singer outside the Los Angeles venue. The Hollywood Bowl marquee displays the dates Oct. 29 and Nov. 1, along with wording that points to an “Aerosmith & Friends” billing.

The band has not yet revealed the complete plans for the two dates. Full details are due Tuesday morning, Oct. 6.

A Hollywood Bowl marquee mystery

In the clip, Tyler climbs a ladder to place letters on the venue’s marquee while Halfin attempts to guide him through the spelling.

“Y H W,” Halfin says, prompting Tyler to call out, “Gimme the O! Ampersand! Ampersand!”

When Halfin asks, “Do you even know how to spell Aerosmith?” Tyler replies, “It’s ‘& Friends,’ Ross. Aerosmith AND friends.”

The exchange gives way to a portion of Aerosmith’s 1975 breakthrough hit “Sweet Emotion,” which reached No. 36 on the Hot 100. The screen then displays the message, “& … all will be revealed tomorrow.”

The video also acknowledges Tyler’s time away from regular live performance. As the pair drink smoothies and look toward the marquee, Halfin asks, “Don’t you miss performing?”

“Of all the things I ever missed, I miss my mind the most,” Tyler responds.

Aerosmith’s touring retirement

The prospective Hollywood Bowl appearances would represent a major development after Aerosmith’s planned farewell run came to an early end in 2023.

The band launched its Peace Out … Farewell Tour as its intended final road outing, but Tyler fractured his larynx only three shows into the run. Aerosmith initially postponed the tour in September 2023 before canceling it and announcing the group’s retirement from touring.

Tyler has since made several singing appearances outside a full Aerosmith touring schedule. Those included a six-song set at the annual Grammy Awards benefit for his Janie’s Fund, as well as an appearance at last summer’s Back to the Beginning farewell concert by Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath.

Tyler and Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry also recorded with Yungblud on the Aerosmith EP One More Time, released in 2025.

Joe Perry left the door open

Perry, 76, had already suggested that Aerosmith’s retirement from touring did not necessarily rule out every future performance.

Speaking in April, Perry said the group was not preparing to tour but remained open to other possibilities. He also said that he and Tyler, whom he called “my brother from another mother,” continued to speak regularly.

“The band is still kind of definitely not in touring mode, but there are certainly other options, so we stay in touch,” Perry said.

He also described Tyler’s careful return to singing after the injury, stressing that any future plans would have to be approached gradually.

“You just never know,” Perry said of another possible Aerosmith performance. “It’s just been in the last six months that Steven’s started to get comfortable with singing; he literally had to take a year off before he was able to start stretching his vocal cords, and you’re always worried about reinjuring it.”

Perry added, “I learned a long time ago that everything we do is fragile… so we just take it day by day. You hope for the best. You just have to have the confidence and have that vision of positive in front of you. You can’t do it unless you envision it.”

What Happens Next?

Aerosmith’s Tuesday morning announcement is expected to provide the full details behind the “& Friends” tease and the Hollywood Bowl dates of Oct. 29 and Nov. 1. For now, the video marks the clearest indication yet that the band is preparing to step back onstage without reversing its previously announced retirement from touring.