Star rating: *****
Variety is not dead. Not only were those fortunate enough to see this show entertained by rock's best ever pantomime act, but also by two support bands who could have headlined in their own right. Joan Jett and her Blackhearts have been away for a while, but her garage rock opening set went down a storm. Lemmy and his boys did their Motorhead thing, which really just involves thrashing every song to within an inch of its life. However, their acoustic interlude was surprisingly effective and the closing duo of Ace of Spades and Overkill were worth the price of admission alone.
Then there was Alice Cooper. You would think that, in this cynical, seen-it-all world, his brand of rock theatrics would seem passé. You would be wrong. Mr Vincent Furnier may be pushing 60, but he retains the ability to shock, amuse and amaze, all in the same song. Opening with Its Hot Tonight, which, as it turned out, was an accurate observation, the show proceeded in a fairly straightforward manner. No More Mr Nice Guy, Under My Wheels and Billion Dollar Babies came and went, excellent songs all, delivered by Alice's terrific band without too much ceremony. Things turned nasty, though, with Welcome to My Nightmare. Zombies fought on stage during Steven, an everyday song about a damaged teenager. The theatrics reached a climax with the Devil's Food/Killer/I Love the Dead medley. Psychotic Alice killed and as a penalty, was hanged before our very eyes. He's been doing this for years, but it was still hugely effective.
He finished with a storming Elected. "Alice for World President" said the sign. He's got my vote.
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