ALICE COOPER LIVE AT GLASGOW’S OVO HYDRO

★★★★☆ (4/5)

**ALICE COOPER PERFORMING AT GLASGOW’S OVO HYDRO**
**PHOTOCREDIT: CALUM BUCHAN**

Alice Cooper, born Vincent Furnier in 1948, became famous for pioneering shock rock, a theatrical blend of hard rock and horror-inspired stage performances. His rise to fame began in the late 1960s when he formed the band Alice Cooper, later adopting the band's name as his own. Early on, the group struggled to find their audience, but after moving to Detroit and working with producer Bob Ezrin, they released the album Love It to Death (1971), featuring the hit single I'm Eighteen.

The band's big break came in 1972 with the release of School’s Out, a rebellious anthem that became a global hit. Alice Cooper's performances, which featured makeup, pyrotechnics, guillotines, snakes, and macabre props, captivated audiences and drew media attention. The character Furnier had created in Alice Cooper was symbol of passion, excitement and disobedience. His 1973 album Billion Dollar Babies solidified his status as a rock icon.

Cooper's ability to combine catchy rock songs with provocative, horror-themed visuals set him apart, attracting a wide fanbase. Over the decades, he has maintained a strong presence in popular culture through his music, acting, and radio hosting. Alice Cooper’s legacy endures as one of rock's most distinctive and theatrical performers, making him a lasting figure in rock history with acclaimed live shows.

For 2024, Cooper launched his Too Close For Comfort tour with it’s opening night in Glasgow’s Hydro with two outstanding support acts. The night’s first act was Essex group The Meffs and the duo did themselves proud at their biggest show yet. The crowd was diverse in age and about half had shown up early enough to catch the night’s first set. The Meffs had a shaky start, with first track Stamp It Out falling flat and embarrassing failed attempt to get the crowd singing during Stand Up, Speak Out but, with a cover of The Prodigy’s Breathe, they slotted into place like a wooden jigsaw piece. With their closing tracks, Wasted On Women, Clowns, and What, the arena really got a true sense of the talent of this pair. With poignant lyrics speaking of the true horror of our reality combined with hard, relentless beats; it’s all too clear why they have made the cut on this legendary tour.

The treats would keep on coming for the Scottish crowd as home-grown legends Primal Scream were next on the bill. People love Primal Scream for their genre-blending, innovative sound and fearless experimentation. Their ability to fuse rock, psychedelia, electronic, and dance music coloured the 1990s with the album Screamadelica. Their music captures both the euphoria of rave culture and the grit of rock and they were huge act to fill a support slot.

Despite their notoriety, something also was off with their set as it opened. Bobby Gillespie was in true form, grooving and moving in a sequinned suit, he was every bit the loose lips front man and the band was tight including a superb saxophonist lit up the stage with a booming horn. I think the problem was in having to settle into a rhythm with such a sort set list. They opened with a few tracks from upcoming release Come Ahead but then embarrassingly hit a long painful moment of Gillespie repeatedly begging a silent crowd to chant the Scottish war cry “Here we f****** go.” As the group launched into some of their most popular tracks and a few other cherished numbers the crowd relaxed into a party, though it took a bit of time, the band that ignited the Scottish rave finally had the Hydro on their side.

The all seated crowd seemed reluctant to get up and loose themselves in Primal Scream, but for Alice Cooper it was a different story entirely with most of the arena on their feet in anticipation of the night’s main event. The openers Lock Me Up and Welcome to the Show perfectly sum the Alice Cooper ethos and experience.

The man himself looks on fantastic form. Cooper energy does not dip as he cycles through beloved tracks like No More Mr. Nice Guy and I’m Eighteen. He moves around the stage with pace and power, drawing all eyes to him but also allowing his supporting musicians and the on stage theatrics to take the forefront at points. Throughout the set various stage invaders appear and meet gruesome fates when they encounter Cooper. However, the most astounding moment is the gigantic, live boa constrictor that he has draped round himself for the track Snakebite. Though it raises uncomfortable questions about animal welfare, Cooper is clearly a fearless individual.

As the draws to it rambunctious end with classics like Poison, Feed My Frankenstein and School’s Out, it’s clear that this epic set has been a delight for all involved to take part in. Alice Cooper is great because he revolutionized rock with his theatrical shock-rock performances, blending music with horror-inspired stage shows that are still bold and provocative. He turns concerts into immersive experiences and, beyond the theatrics, Cooper’s music combines catchy, rebellious anthems with a hard rock edge. His fearless embrace of dark themes and humour set him apart, and his influence spans decades, inspiring countless artists while maintaining a career that’s both iconic and enduring in rock history. Today he still is one of the greatest performers alive.