It kind of makes you think, what was the panic fellow Albion fans?
- Jarrod Hill
Master of shock rock Alice Cooper at the Civic
Wednesday 2nd December 2009, 9:10AM GMT.
Alice Cooper
Wolverhampton Civic Hall
Concert review by John Corser
You can guillotine him, poison him, hang him and spike him, but Alice Cooper keeps coming back.
The macabre rock star “dies” four times in his latest rock theatre spectacular which thrilled and shocked the Civic Hall last night.
See our Alice Cooper concert photo gallery below
The Theatre of Death tour is a shock rock tour de force which showcases the best of the veteran American rocker’s songs.
Alice took to the stage in full horror gear with the anthemic School’s Out, originally a number one hit in 1972, and he choose to repeat the songs as his encore, this time clad in an all silver outfit.
In between Alice and his band offered more than an hour-and-a-half of exciting and very theatrical rock.
Classics like I’m 18, No More Mr Nice Guy, Only Women Bleed, Welcome to My Nightmare, Under My Wheels, I Love the Dead and Billion Dollar Babies were enthusiastically received by an audience of all ages.
The concert saw the 61-year-old star, in marvellous voice and with amazing energyy, making numerous costume changes and wielding a huge variety of props.
His diehard fans were rewarded with dollar notes, ‘diamond’ necklaces and walking sticks being thrown to them during some songs.
Earlier support act Man-Raze delivered a muscular set with their songs driven by the powerful drumming of former Sex Pistol Paul Cook and Def Leppard guitarist Phil Collen.
Their 45-minute set was largely drawn from their debut album Surreal, including the new single Turn It Up as well as a cover version of Jimi Hendrix’s Fire.
Were you at the Alice Cooper concert?
Tell us what you thought of the show in the comment box below.
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I was amazed at the Alice Cooper show last night and was lucky enough to be front centre standing. I have seen Alice many times and I have never been disappointed. The atmosphere was great too.
I really can’t believe Alice is 61 – he looks great and he is a legend in the rock scene. He has set a standard that needs to be beaten. I am 28 and often wonder where the new bands will come from of the the same calibre. I am yet to see a great performer like Alice within upcoming bands. They don’t do it like Alice!
Alice, thank you – we love you and please please come back to Wolverhampton soon. You were amazing last night.
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I thought it was very disappointing. Some of the props looked very shoddy and very 70′s, the whole show seemed dated.
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KJ honey, next time perhaps you should consider saving up and seeing David Blain instead.
Alice’s stage show is supposed to be like that.
Sorry you don’t get it.
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The reviewer got it spot-on when he said Alice was “in marvellous voice and (performed) with amazing energy”. I’ve seen him many times since 1982 and his vocals were top notch compared to the alcohol-fuelled old-days. The show was crammed full of Cooper classics – so much so that there was barely time for the crowd to cheer in between songs. It’s a pleasure (and a surprise, really) to see Alice in great form now he’s in his 60s… and playing loud and heavy versions of his seemingly endless supply of classics and fan-faves. If anything, the band could tone down the heavy/loudness so Alice’s fine voice and the tunes themselves could shine through a bit more. Anyway, The Civic was packed to the rafters and Cooper delivered the goods and looked like he enjoyed his latest visit to wonderful Wolves (and the heroes welcome he got). Nice one Alice.
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As lengends go, they dont get any bigger than this guy! Truly one of the worlds greatest performers!!
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Absolutely amazing!!
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Not good ! very disapointed,was expecting spectacle after the hype. Seemed as if he was just going through the motions.Not the Alice Cooper of legend
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I was an Alice Cooper virgin until last night, when, for the first time I got to see him perform live. I wasnt disappointed! I go to lots of concerts covering a wide arc in musical tastes but I can say with sincerity that last nights show was up there with some of the best I’ve been to.
I was even lucky enough to be right at the front, so I got an exceptional view of the man & the myth!
His band also deserve so much credit for keeping the show tight.
I loved it & I can safely say that when he returns – as he somehow always does – I will be there. Thanks Alice, your’e a star!
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what a fantastic night!! alice and the band gave an almost faultless performance of classics from the seventies and eighties, although maybe slightly down sized from arena sized productions, i was treated to being able to see the “master” up close. in great voice, great musicians, please come back to the civic alice.
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May I first say what a superb sound Manraze delivered as a support band.Alice,who i first saw at Birmingham Odeon around 23 years ago and many times since delivered an outstanding performance.After reading some of the previous comments i was left wondering if they were at a different venue.The concert proved to be another memorable night.Have seen Alice at the civic before but last night was the best by far.The band,sound,lights,stage show all added to a first class concert.Look forward to the next time and hope it’s at the the civic again.Great venue.
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First time i seen Alice and i thought he was very good rock theatre and i really enjoyed it.I enjoyed ZZtop more but im not complaining its a testament to the great venue the civic is that these great acts keep coming here…only wish the mighty Quo would ditch the Nec for the civic.
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I thought the concert was excellent and I was lucky enough to meet with Alice in his dressing room afterwards. He signed some CD sleeves and photographs and then I had some photographs taken with him. It really was a memorable occasion – one I will never forget. Thanks Alice.
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3 – Thanks for your comment Jan! I’m not a big “rock” fan so went there totally open-minded; but I’m entirely in agreement with Ace Frehley above – the show just didn’t live up to the hype for me.
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Alice Cooper on top form again, what a showman, second time I’ve seen him at the civic, what a great show. Civic is a great venue but, my night was spoiled by a jobsworth usher pestering me. Shame it ruined a great night out, can’t wait til Alice is back Again.
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Since the Welcome to my Nightmare tour I’ve seen him every time, bar Monster of Rock. Vocal was really really strong, well up in the mix and spot on. Band were tight and reproduced the old classics pretty close, fantastic to hear the acoustic I’d say that’s the first time but that may be bad memory.
Stood leaning up against the back wall down stairs and still felt like you were part of the show, wicked venue, really good support and 1½ hours that flew buy – fantastic!
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