Alice Cooper with support from Creeper
at AO Arena in Manchester, UK
words and photos by Andrew Giddings

The 27th of May 2022 saw Alice Cooper, the godfather of shock-rock returned to the AO Arena, Manchester and from the moment the 74-year-old rocker strode out of his “nightmare castle”, with top hat and twirling cane you know this is concert is going to be more reminiscent of a theatre performance than a mere live music gig.

The show opened with ‘Feed My Frankenstein’, one of Cooper's biggest hits, the rock anthem enthusiastically echoed around the venue. During the song Cooper ascended the stairs at the side of the stage and proceeded to stand like a ship’s captain at a large wheel positioned in the centre of the battlements.

The theatrics continued throughout the show with, fake blood, oversized monsters and boa constrictors to mention a few, but don’t be mistaken the show is not just about the props, it is a pure balls-out rock n roll event and although Cooper is undoubtedly the star, his supporting cast of band member should not be discounted. Cooper has compiled some of the finest musicians, with Glen Sobel, Chuck Garric, Ryan Roxie, and fellow ‘Hollywood Vampire’ Tommy Henriksen all playing their part in an awesome performance, however in my opinion the standout performer was the charismatic Nita Strauss who constantly enthralled the crowd with her manic head banging, infectious smile and epic guitar solos, especially the intro to ‘Roses on White Lace’.

The show was an impressive concoction of newer material like ‘Shut Up and Rock’ and ‘Fallen in Love’ mixed with all-time classics such as ‘Poison’, ‘I’m Eighteen’ and ‘Steven’ which concluded with Cooper being trapped in a metal guillotine before appearing to be unceremoniously decapitated, then having a replica severed head paraded before the crowd.

The entertainment continued as Cooper strutted around in a straight jacket to blast out ‘Escape’ before being captured and hauled off by two adult sized babies who had been patrolling the stage, re-emerging to complete the first part of the set with ‘Teenage Frankenstein’.

The show concluded with a one song encore of Cooper's biggest hit ‘School’s Out’, returning to the top of the castle wearing a dazzling white jacket and top hat combination Cooper hammered out the bestseller while a stream of foam bubbles floated into the audience.

Before leaving, Cooper paid tribute to all his band members before thanking the crowd saying “We’ve missed you – ‘May all of your nightmare’s be horrific – Good night”

This was so much more than just a music concert, and although at times the props can be a bit over the top and at 74 Cooper isn’t as flamboyant as he once was, the overall show is fantastic and offers something different than the usual run of the mill gig.

ALICE COOPER: MANCHESTER, UK - 27.05.22

CREEPER

ALICE COOPER