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By: Mark Derricutt

Artist: Alice Cooper

Venue: Trusts Arena, Auckland, NZ

Date: Thursday 20th February 2020

So 'Ol' Black Eyes is back in town, 'Steven' is here to take us on a journey through the Nightmare Castle, but to me he'll always be The Showman. It may have been hits like Poison, Bed of Nails, Feed My Frankenstein, and Schools Out that first saw Alice Cooper entangle his noose around my formative years, but they were only songs - my first album was ”The Last Temptation” - and from there the rest is history.
I've always been a sucker for concept albums, and with the associated comic book in my fingers I found myself engrossed by both the story, and Alice's then recent return to faith.
As I started weaving my way through the extensive back catalogue - the interconnection of all things Steven become a revelation - from Welcome To My Nightmare, The Last Temptation, and continuing over multiple albums to return in Along Came A Spider - this recurring narrative keeps me guessing, and wondering about stories behind the stories - the act, and the Showman himself.

MC50

Now before I fall into fanboy commentary, we start the night off with MC50. With the original MC5 line-up being before my years it wasn't until much later in life I discovered them, and their impact on the music scene. In celebration of 50 years since the release of “Kick Out The Jams” we have a reformed band aptly named MC50 - featuring MC5 alum Wayne Kramer along with Kim Thayil (Sound Garden, Guitars), Billy Gould (Faith No More, Bass), Brendan Canty (Fugazi, Drums), and Marcus Durant (Zen Guerrilla, Vocals) - a who's who of cornerstone/formative band members - a supergroup.

Not to be “outshined” by the band’s prestigious line up, Kramer pulled no punches on the guitar - sounding more like a band just hitting their stride, we’ve kicked the night off in the right direction (a far better direction from Ace Frehley opened with the other year)
With equal parts blues rock and hints of a proto-grunge sound, I can hear hints of the bands that followed. Witnessing them live shows a group not only worthy of their 50-year legacy but a band that sounds as strong and fresh as ever.
With a relatively short set - six songs – it was hardly enough to pull the crowd out of their seats and dance. The energy here at Trust Stadium is, well, awkward and confusing; everyone is seated, chilling out like they're watching the game. My dodgy knee is glad for somewhere to just decompress and enjoy, but I can't help but think the show needs a mosh pit.

Airborne

Leading up to last night's show, I may have queued up four albums by Airborne on the iPhone to listen to and refresh my memory of their music. I’m reminded how much I’ve never really got into them, with a marginal dislike of AC/DC - Airborne have always felt like a rehash - solid music, but nothing inspiring. I'm hoping to have my opinions changed tonight.

After a brief intro, both band and guitars are flying around the stage, but unlike the AC/DC track played only moments earlier on the PA, there's a lack of substance grabbing me in “Ready To Rock”. “Boneshaker” is up next and eases some of that, but with a riff that sounded similar to Back In Black, I found myself with an earworm stuck in my head as I sang along… to the wrong song.

Once again I feel we need a mosh pit here. I’m sure I'd be getting more into this from the confines of a pit of sweaty bodies and arms flailing around. I can’t fault their performance, with sick solos and a sweet, sweet guitar tone, but I'm thinking it may have been better if MC50 hadn’t just kicked out all the jams.
Airborne are solid, and enjoyable, but not even having an air raid siren performed as an instrument can detract from the thought Alice Cooper would soon be on stage.

Alice Cooper

A selection of Alice cuts sing out over the PA as the stage reforms into the Nightmare Castle - "Feed My Frankenstein” opens up as the formidable duo of Nita Strauss and Ryan Roxie perch stop the castle backdrop overlooking the Showman himself - Alice Cooper.

As a giant monster of Frankensteins crosses the stage, Alice is now atop the castle lording himself over us all, like a royal announcement. Without a doubt, The Showman is here.

No More Mister Nice Guy and Bed Of Nails sees the crowd eating everything up; voices raised in unison as we all sing along to our favourite respective chorus lyrics.
With nearly 30 albums to choose from, we're treated and tantalized by a career-spanning set list that covers the big hits of the ‘80s, classic cuts from the early years, and a choice selection of meats from the recent releases - I'm Eighteen, Billion Dollar Babies, Poison, Roses on White Lace, My Stars, Dead Babies, Teenage Frankenstein and many many more.

Along the journey tonight they treated us to horrific monsters, blooded brides, giant disfigured babies, and last but not least - a classic beheading by guillotine!

Closing out the evening’s 25-song-strong setlist, bringing even those remaining seated to their feet, the anthemic Schools Out saw long time Elton John guitarist, Davey Johnstone join the stage for guest guitar duties.

Thinking back over all I've heard tonight, MC50 perfectly matched up with the sound and feeling of Alice Cooper, but I keep thinking Airborne remains slightly out of place - and would have been far more enjoyable from a hot, sweaty, mosh pit.

Set List - MC50

Ramblin' Rose
Kick Out the Jams
Come Together
Motor City Is Burning
Call Me Animal
Looking at You

Set List - Airbourne

Main Title Theme from 'Terminator 2: Judgment Day' (Brad Fiedel song)
Ready to Rock
Boneshaker
Burnout the Nitro
Back in the Game
Girls in Black
Live It Up
Runnin' Wild

Set List - Alice Cooper

Years Ago
Nightmare Castle
Feed My Frankenstein
No More Mr. Nice Guy
Bed of Nails
Raped and Freezin'
Fallen in Love
Under My Wheels
Muscle of Love
He's Back (The Man Behind the Mask)
I'm Eighteen
Billion Dollar Babies
Poison
Guitar Solo
Roses on White Lace
My Stars
Devil's Food (Band Vocals)
Black Widow Jam (With Bass and Drum solos)
Steven
Dead Babies
I Love the Dead (Band Vocals)
Escape
Teenage Frankenstein

Encore:

Department of Youth (Preceded by a snippet of '… more )
School's Out (With 'Another Brick In The… more )

Review Edited By: Jake Ebdale

Reviews

Concert Review: Alice Cooper - Auckland - 20th February 2020