HOLMDEL, N.J. — Some bands rely on nostalgia to carry a performance. Stone Temple Pilots use it as a launching point.
June 28, 2026 – On a warm summer evening at PNC Bank Arts Center, the Southern California rock veterans transformed the Holmdel amphitheater into a celebration of one of the deepest catalogs to emerge from the 1990s. Fans spanning multiple generations—from those who grew up with Core and Purple to younger listeners discovering the band through streaming playlists filled the venue, proving that Stone Temple Pilots’ music continues to bridge decades.
Photos + Article by David Broskley @david_roman_photography
The band wasted little time settling in. From the opening song, the energy was immediate, with Dean DeLeo’s unmistakable guitar tone cutting through the humid New Jersey air while Robert DeLeo’s fluid bass lines reminded everyone why the rhythm section has always been one of the band’s greatest strengths. Eric Kretz anchored the performance with steady precision, giving every song the same muscular pulse that made the albums so distinctive.
Frontman Jeff Gutt has now spent several years leading Stone Temple Pilots, and any lingering doubts about his place in the band have long since faded. Rather than chasing the shadow of Scott Weiland, Gutt approaches the material with respect while adding enough of his own personality to keep it from feeling like an imitation. His vocals captured both the grit and vulnerability that define songs like “Big Empty” and “Plush,” while his confident stage presence kept the audience engaged between songs without ever becoming overproduced.
The setlist unfolded like a greatest-hits soundtrack to alternative rock’s golden era. “Wicked Garden” hit with the same swagger it carried more than three decades ago, while “Vasoline” had fans singing nearly every word before Gutt even reached the microphone. “Interstate Love Song” became one of the night’s defining moments, with thousands of voices echoing across the amphitheater as the band stepped back and let the audience finish the chorus. It was one of those rare concert moments where the connection between artist and audience became the loudest instrument onstage.
One of the evening’s greatest strengths was the pacing. Stone Temple Pilots resisted the temptation to simply race from hit to hit. Instead, they allowed songs room to breathe, extending instrumental passages that showcased the DeLeo brothers’ remarkable chemistry. Dean’s tasteful solos never felt excessive, while Robert’s melodic bass work quietly stole several moments throughout the night. Their musical conversation remains one of rock’s most underrated partnerships.
The atmosphere reflected the band’s enduring appeal. Fans danced in the aisles, raised their phones during slower numbers, and erupted every time another recognizable riff emerged from the speakers. There was an unmistakable sense of shared history among the crowd, not simply remembering where these songs came from, but celebrating how they’ve remained part of life’s soundtrack through the years.
Visually, the production favored substance over spectacle. A vibrant light show painted the stage in shifting blues, reds, and purples, complementing the emotional peaks of each song without distracting from the musicians themselves. It felt refreshingly old-school: no elaborate theatrical production, just four musicians letting decades of great songwriting carry the night.
Perhaps the most memorable aspect of the performance was its authenticity. Stone Temple Pilots no longer have anything to prove. Instead of attempting to recreate the past, they embraced it while continuing to move forward. That confidence translated into a performance that felt relaxed, powerful, and completely genuine.
By the time the final encore concluded, the crowd left PNC Bank Arts Center with more than a collection of favorite songs replaying in their minds. They had witnessed a band that has weathered tragedy, lineup changes, and the shifting tides of rock music yet continues to evolve without losing the identity that made it iconic in the first place.
Stone Temple Pilots reminded Holmdel that great rock music isn’t preserved in memory, it stays alive every time it’s played with conviction. Judging by the response from the thousands filing out into the New Jersey night, these songs still have plenty of life left in them.
