WORDS AND IMAGES MICHAEL BOND
Often regarded as a pioneer of theatrical rock, Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Alice Cooper brought his legendary showmanship and unrivaled stage presence to Manchester’s AO Arena, proving that after more than 60 years in the business, he still knows how to put on an unforgettable performance. With a no-holds-barred approach to rock theatre, Cooper and his band delivered a show that was as visually captivating as it was musically powerful.
The night began with early support from Essex-based punk band The Meffs. For those unfamiliar with them, the duo—comprised of Lily on vocals and guitar and Lewis on drums and backing vocals—were a refreshing nod to the raw, stripped-back energy of classic punk. Their music tackled modern social issues and inequalities with tracks like “Broken Britain, Broken Brains” and “Stand Up, Speak Out”, offering a biting critique of the establishment. A standout moment came with their electrifying cover of The Prodigy’s “Breathe”, which injected a burst of high-octane energy into their set. Their performance was a perfect introduction for newcomers, and they left a lasting impression with their new album WHAT A LIFE highly recommended for fans of rebellious, politically charged punk rock.
Following The Meffs, psychedelic indie rock legends Primal Scream took to the stage, led by the ever-charismatic Bobby Gillespie, who looked sharp in a white two-piece suit. Opening with “Love Insurrection”, a new song from their forthcoming album Come Ahead, the band showcased their evolving sound, complete with backing singers adding extra depth and harmony. From the opening chords of “Jailbird”, the audience was transported back to the band’s 90s heyday, with Gillespie’s voice still as iconic as ever. Interactions with the crowd were warm and playful—when a fan shouted, “Love you, Bobby!” he responded with an affectionate, “I love you too!”
Their set was a well-balanced mix of new material, such as “Ready to Go Home” and “Deep Dark Waters”, alongside beloved classics like “Loaded” and “Movin’ On Up”. Primal Scream closed their time on stage with the unmistakable groove of “Rocks”, leaving the audience buzzing with nostalgia and excitement. It was clear that the band, even after decades, still knows how to get a crowd going.
But the night truly belonged to Alice Cooper, whose entrance set the tone for a night of rock theatrics at its finest. As the stage’s black curtain dropped, a towering 50-foot custom newspaper screen was revealed, with a silhouetted Cooper in his signature top hat behind it. The theatricality of the moment was amplified by a voiceover reading out a mock indictment: “Alice Cooper, you have been banned in England for deeds against humanity, how do you plead?” His answer? “Guilty,” of course. With a swift cut through the screen using a sword, Cooper kicked off the show with “Lock Me Up”, backed by the explosive energy of his band, including guitarists Chuck Garric, Tommy Henriksen, Nita Strauss, and Ryan Roxie.
From the outset, the show was a feast for the senses. Cooper wasted no time diving into “Welcome to the Show”, a track from his 2023 album Road, showcasing his enduring passion for new music even after decades in the industry. The stage production was as high-caliber as expected, featuring stunning lighting effects and large screen projections that added to the spectacle.
Classic hits like “No More Mr. Nice Guy” and “I’m Eighteen” followed, with Cooper donning a cane and, later, a crutch to emphasize his larger-than-life stage persona. His four guitarists made full use of the stage, pulling off power poses that only rock legends could pull off so effortlessly. As the show progressed, the hits kept coming—”Be My Lover”, “Billion Dollar Babies”, “Cold Ethyl”, “Snakebite”, and “Lost in America” kept the crowd on their feet, while the timeless anthem “Poison” brought the energy to a fever pitch.
One of the night’s most memorable moments came as Cooper gave his bandmates a chance to shine, allowing the three lead guitarists to dazzle the crowd with their exceptional skills. The evening came to a triumphant close with an extended version of “School’s Out”, interwoven with Pink Floyd’s “Another Brick in the Wall”, which had the entire arena singing along in unison.
At 76 years old, Alice Cooper remains a force to be reckoned with on stage. His energy, charisma, and commitment to delivering a top-tier performance put musicians half his age to shame. Cooper is living proof that rock ‘n’ roll is ageless, and his ability to continually reinvent his stage shows while staying true to his roots is nothing short of remarkable. Here’s hoping that his theatrical spectacles continue to wow audiences for many more years to come.
SET LIST
1/ Lock Me Up
(Partial)
2/ Welcome to the Show
3/ No More Mr. Nice Guy
4/ I’m Eighteen
5/ Under My Wheels
6/ Bed of Nails
7/ Billion Dollar Babies
8/ Snakebite
9/ Be My Lover
10/ Lost in America
11/ He’s Back (The Man Behind the Mask)
12/ Hey Stoopid
13/ Welcome to My Nightmare
14/ Cold Ethyl
15/ Go to Hell
16/ Poison
17/ Feed My Frankenstein
18/ Guitar Solo
19/ Black Widow Jam
20/ Ballad of Dwight Fry
21/ I Love the Dead
(Partial)
22/ Elected
23/ School’s Out
(w/ Another Brick in the Wall Part 2 by Pink Floyd snippet)
FOLLOW ALICE COOPER
FOLLOW PRIMAL SCREAM
FOLLOW THE MEFFS