Live Review: Alice Cooper - Trusts Arena, Auckland (+ Photos)

Ok, I need to start this off mentioning that I love Alice Cooper. I like everything about him. His music, the stage show, the fact that he seems like an all-around nice guy off-stage. So this review will show some bias. That being said, I did go into this show with a bit of trepidation. The last time I saw him was 15 years ago and as a kid, I thought he was old then. So I was curious to see if he was still up to the same antics.

Another added bonus to the gig was that Ace Frehley, of KISS, was opening. Not knowing too much of his solo work, I was hoping for some solid KISS bangers to get me through. Matt grew up on records like Frehley's Comet. He was so excited that he even invited his dad along to the show. Finally Dad Jokes had some real dad jokes.

We arrived just as Ace was starting his second song to find a the strangest atmosphere. I've never been to a rock concert where there were seats all the way to the front row. The only place where people could stand was in a small cordoned off area behind the sound desk. We were even approached by security to tell us that we were blocking people's view. At the back of the arena. This just ramped up my worries for the rest of the show. Was everyone going to stay polite and seated when Alice came on stage? Were we in some kind of Stranger Things upside down?

As Ace continued through the set, my wishes for some KISS tracks came true. He even kept a few of the theatrics. There was a light up guitar and smoke billowing out of another during what felt like an endless solo. But Ace (’s performance) seemed to match the lackluster energy of the crowd. It almost felt as though we were all just waiting for the real show to come next. For me the highlight of his set was during ‘Detroit Rock City’. As the band sang about everyone leaving their seats, the entire arena stayed glued to theirs. By the end of the set even Matt's dad, an avid Frehley fan, shouted “IS THAT IT?” I could only agree (he didn't even play ‘Rock Soldiers’!) and hope that Alice could give us something more.

Thank the rock and roll gods, he did. It was everything I remembered. If I didn't know better it could have been 15 days since I saw him, not 15 years. It was amazing. When the intro soundtrack started, the crowd came to life flooding into the isles. My faith in rock music was somewhat restored. I was also thankful that he stuck to the classics, only peppering in one or two newer tracks. This meant I got to sing along to favorites like ‘Under My Wheels’, and ‘Halo of Flies’. To be honest I could have gone home happy then. It wouldn't be a proper review if I didn't touch on the theatrics. There were guillotines, a giant Frankenstein, smoke, and huge glitter filled balloons. All choreographed down to the smallest move. It was everything an Alice Cooper show should be. I can only agree with Matt's dad's review of the set. “10/10 primo. Good shit.”

You can see more great photos from Alice Cooper's Auckland performance at Trusts Arena by Amanda Ratcliffe here.

For snaps from the shock-rocker's Wellington performance at TSB Arena by Alexander Hallag, head along here.