Review: Alice Cooper

AMY MAAS
Last updated 09:25 23/09/2011
Alice Cooper
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Have Kiwis ended their love affair with original rock? It would seem so, judging by the small crowd that turned up to witness the theatrics of ageing rocker Alice Cooper.

Granted, the few who did turn up at Trusts Stadium in Henderson seemed to have made an effort. A few fans - possibly as old as the man himself - turned up in their white face paint and black rimmed eyes, while others were obvious genuine rock fans in head-to-toe black denim. Oh, and let's give the busker outside singing Poison, over and over and over and over and over some credit too.

There were surprisingly few theatrics by the 63-year-old as he took the stage - no snake, no bats, no nothing. Ok, there was a 10-foot monster and the to-be-expected guillotine beheadings during Feed My Frankenstein, School's Out and Elected, but that was about it.

Instead, it seems Cooper has been concentrating on the music a bit more. And judging by the skilful sound he served up, it might be for the best.

Joined on stage by an almost entirely new band, the No More Mr Nice Guy tour served up the old classics. Original bass player Chuck Garric was joined by Orianthis - a 24-year-old Aussie who was meant to join Michael Jackson on the This Is It Tour; guitarist Tommy Henriksen, and drummer Glen Sobel. They all seemed right at home with the guitar attack as Black Widow kicked off the night, lending the song a bit more edge than before.  

Cooper appeared on the smoke-shrouded stage in a very odd spider costume which seemed to be as old as he was, but not even poor taste could detract from the polished sound that the rock fans just lapped up.

The 21-song set list had all the old favourites - I'm Eighteen, Hey Stoopid and Poison were all there with I'll Bite Your Face Off being the only song from his new album.

The crowd - small as it was - were loving the classics and they got what they paid for as they were played in abundance. The concert was even rounded out by Elected and the final beheading of the night.

But let's be honest, what we really wanted to see was a giant snake and some gore the ageing rocker is known for. There was none of that. 

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- © Fairfax NZ News

37 comments
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Jim Ho   #37   04:28 pm Sep 28 2011

I was just seeing what "Alice Cooper" is up to currently, and happened upon this harsh review. What a worthless review! Jim Ho from Ohio, USA

trina   #36   02:54 pm Sep 27 2011

Just read review! Wot the... We came from New Plymouth. Got tickets seated at front as soon as online. Saw Alice on the Trash tour over 20 years ago and I have to say that he gets better with age!!!! Loved this one!! Granted not as much gore, but sound really made up for that. 10 out of 10!!!!!

FAN   #35   01:21 pm Sep 27 2011

What a stink review!! I had the best time ever at this concert! I think the poor crowd was because accommodation in Auckland was more than twice the price as usual if you could even get anything. Poor timing was the ONLY poor part about this concert. Sounds like you wern't a fan anyway "reviewer" so why go? A true fan would have enjoyed it...

Lucy   #34   07:10 pm Sep 26 2011

My partner and I travelled from Invercargill to see this show and we loved every minute of it. Not sure if the person who wrote the review was on the same plantet as the rest of the audience! The crowd was very diverse and it was cool to see those who made the effort to dress up. Alice Cooper and his band - a legend!

Frank   #33   09:02 am Sep 26 2011

The thing about the Trust stadium is that even if it was sold out as far as ticket sales go it you could still fit another 5,000 or more people in. It's limited because of the fire service. that aside it was a great show. I made the comment afterwards that Alice Coopers voice is amazing for a 63 year old but after thinking about it I thought 'thats actually a little insulting' because his voice is top notch and age has nothing to do with it. The theatrics were less than at rock2wgtn which seemed to disappoint a few people but the thing is if you take away all the props the songs are still great and when delivered by three guitars was grunty as. Also Head like a Hole were in fine form, ripping up the stage with a mixture of old and new songs, highlights being Cornbag, Comfortably Shagged and the almighty singalong for the gods 'Valhalla' and the twisted anthem 'Glory Glory'..... Glory Glory indeed.

philip   #32   03:19 pm Sep 24 2011

Crap review, great concert flew up from Christchurch .Get someone who knows something about music to review $59 flights $100 ticket not expensive .Excellent sound Great band.

Matt   #31   11:19 am Sep 24 2011

Wow. Review seems a bit harsh. I was there. I loved it. I must admit I'm a massive Alice fan so perhaps my opinion is a touch biased but that was a great show. Better than the theatre of death show, which i felt had a smaller crowd. I'd like to know the crowd capacity vs actual crowd, because i know the B reserve sold out, so it can't have been that small. Also, I'm 23 and I was starting to feel a little old where I was sitting, so I have no idea where the reviewer was, maybe Amy took a wrong turn and went to the rugby?

FaceBiter   #30   10:00 am Sep 24 2011

what a crap review, this geezer probably wasnt even there to see the delight that us REAL rockers had - and hey how about a mention for the killer opening bands....Syndicate + HLAH went off too - great to see so many people had such a great time. Promoters in NZ are generally pretty useless, most gigs I don't see jack on TV unless its some winey puke enducing garbarge or some pathetic 90s group, thank goodness facebook has come and we can now check out the bands we like and find when they are coming.

WarrenL   #29   09:33 am Sep 24 2011

Alice was here!? First I knew about it was reading this review. Were the promoters all off work watching the footie, or something?

DJH   #28   04:28 pm Sep 23 2011

I went. It was amazing. There are tiny handful of 'ageing rockers' who can put on such a powerful, energetic performance. The show was poorly promoted - I told everyone what a great time I had today and no one even knew he was here. It is a shame poor promotion meant more people did not go to see it - but this does not take away from the fact he played great music and put on a great show.

This review sucks - The show was amazing and I doubt anyone who went (apart from the reviewer) had only good things to say about it. Great night!!


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