ALICE COOPER + THE CULT // OVO HYDRO, GLASGOW

Two iconic right rock acts join forces to bring a night of rock nostalgia to Glasgow’s OVO Hydro

★★★★☆ (4/5)

ALICE COOPER // OVO HYDRO GLASGOW - 28.05.2022
PHOTOCREDIT: CALUM BUCHAN PHOTOGRAPHY

Now back into the swing of playing host to the UK’s largest touring events, Glasgow’s OVO Hydro eagerly welcomes back two veteran classic rock acts.  No stranger to packed out arenas, UK favourites The Cult and the iconic Alice Cooper join forces to bring a night of balls-to-wall rock, boisterous stage charisma and even a bit of a theatre.

The Cult are a band that are well beloved amongst the packed-out Glasgow crowd. Whilst they may occupy a similar cultural space to their co-headliner, the contrast in performance style provides a healthy balance for the evening’s schedule. Where Alice brings the stage show, The Cult are reliant on the strength of their classic albums. They largely stick to the sound that made a name for them, playing tracks from three of their biggest albums; 1985’s ‘Love’, 1987’s electric and 1989’s Sonic Temple. Despite frontman Ian Astbury’s swaggering brio, the band clearly have the humility to give their fans what they want by sticking to the immutable 80s-era classics such as ‘Sun King’, ‘Rain’ and (of course) ‘She Sells Sanctuary’   A co-headline spot brings the challenges of playing to room in which a fair portion of the crowd are not there for either one of the acts, but The Cult came out swinging and appeased to fans of both acts  by providing an equally energetic but more understated performance than their co-headliner.

However, in the case of Alice Cooper, more is definitely more when it comes to the stage performance. The 74 year-old rock legend brings all the things that you’d expect of him at this point. The stage is converted into a haunted castle in which him and his band (including guitar maestro Nita Strauss) command a dark circus of straight-jackets, giant Frankenstiens, pursuers wearing baby masks, swords and even a public execution by guillotine. Having had a near 50 year career that evolved through different eras of rock and metal, Cooper is spoilt for choice when finding hits to set his manic stage show to including ‘Feed My Frankenstein’, ‘No Mr. Nice Guy’, ‘Under My Wheels’, ‘Poison’ and a riotous performance of ‘School’s Out’. Cooper shows no signs of slowing down as he commands the stage, shows off his impressive sword tricks and undergoes various outfit changes through the show. His voice is as confident and menacing as ever and the touring musicians that he has put together for the show are all fantastically on point. Much more than a legacy show, Cooper has a show which is unique and clearly appeals across generations. It’s dark, it’s fun and it’s expertly done.

REVIEW BY // STRUAN NELSON
PHOTOS BY // CALUM BUCHAN

SETLIST:
OVO HYDRO, GLASGOW

FEED MY FRANKENSTEIN
NO MORE MR. NICE GUY
BED OF NAILS
HEY STOOPID
FALLEN IN LOVE
SHUT UP AND ROCK
GO MAN GO
UNDER MY WHEELS
GUITAR SOLO - (NITA STRAUSS)
ROSES ON WHITE LACE
I’M EIGHTEEN
POISON
BILLION DOLLAR BABIES
BLACK WIDOW JAM - (DRUM SOLO)
STEVEN
DEAD BABIES
I LOVE THE DEAD - (BAND VOCALS ONLY)
ESCAPE
TEENAGE FRANKENSTEIN

ENCORE:

SCHOOL’S OUT

TOUR DATES:

30TH MAY 2022
BIRMINGHAM // RESORTS WORLD ARENA

1ST JUNE 2022
LEEDS // FIRST DIRECT ARENA