Alice Cooper

Clyde Auditorium,

Glasgow

31/10/2011

For centuries Hallowe’en has summoned the ghouls, freaks and evil spirits of the world under a spectral banner and, coincidentally, Alice Cooper has been doing the same for almost as long. When the two collide, the results are bound to be infernally impressive. As the opening chords of ‘Black Widow’ chime out, the curtain drops to reveal an octopedal Alice Cooper perched atop a staircase, devilish scowl on face and, as the song climbs to an intense stomp, sparks fly from hands. It’s an introduction that makes clear there is only one ringmaster for tonight’s nightmare and he looks damn good in a top hat.

It can be easy to get lost in Cooper’s theatricality and forget the reasons for his continued longevity, like his audacious sense of showmanship, a catalogue of some of the finest rock songs ever penned and a backing band who understand his sense of explosive drama innately. Devilish beckons to the front rows and maniacal laughter are a fitting accompaniment to the surreally seductive ‘Poison’ which still demonstrates the spine-chilling power to get a middle-aged crowd yawling along unashamedly while a rabble-rousing rendition of ‘I’m Eighteen’ that sees his raucous chants eclipsed by the crowd’s sets an early benchmark for the audience participation section of the show.

Of course, the visual spectacle will always go hand in hand with his shows and

Alice is the undisputed master of diabolical setpieces. Who else wouldn’t miss a note with a python wrapped around their neck and draped across their face? Or usher out a monstrous homunculus during ‘Feed my Frankenstein’ to lurch after bandmates? Hell, who would have themselves decapitated on stage after skewering a giant chicken? Nobody but Alice Cooper, that’s who, and that’s why when it comes to post-Devil’s Night celebrations, there’s only one gentleman you want to spend them in the company of. Viva la nightmare!

Dave Bowes