Some artists are veritable living legends. Alice Cooper is undeniably one of them. A leading figure in theatrical hard rock, Vincent Damon Furnier, a.k.a. Alice Cooper, has been touring the world for 55 years with his bewitching, bewildering shock-rock universe.
After conquering the audience at the Heavy Weekend in Nancy last June, Alice Cooper was at the Zénith de Paris this Wednesday, October 2, 2024, for the very first European date of his 'Too Close For Comfort Tour'. Despite its solid fan base, Alice Cooper's Paris concert was not a sell-out. And the Zénith de La Villette venue was far from full when Doro took to the stage at 8pm as support act.
Doro is the German band of Doro Pesch, nicknamed by many the " Metal Queen ". For over 40 years now, Doro has been bringing her heavy metal sound to the four corners of Europe. First as part of the band Warlock, then simply as Doro. Very prolific in the 80's alongside Warlock, then in the 90's, Doro remained somewhat frozen in those years. On stage, there's this microphone stand topped by a skull making the horns sign, then this backdrop with the effigy of the latest album,"Conqueress - Forever Strong and Proud".
Sporting a very 90s rock look (studded belt and sleeveless jacket, sequined top, short black leather gloves...), Doro was all smiles on Wednesday evening. Surrounded by her faithful musicians - 4 big guys with long hair - the singer performed old and new songs with exemplary ease and infectious energy.
From " I Rule the Ruins " to the legendary " All We Are ", now an anthem for many, via the ballad " Für immer " and the hit " Time for Justice ", not forgetting " Raise Your Fist In The Air ", performed here in French (" Lève ton poing vers le ciel ")... Doro has managed to win over some of the audience with her cheerfulness and enthusiasm.
Before leaving the stage after 45 minutes, Doro Pesch and his bandmates took the obligatory group photo with the audience in the background. Then the curtain came down, allowing the technicians to prepare Alice Cooper's stage set out of sight.
Around 9.15pm, the lights go out again. Two men in black, wearing raven masks, burst onto the stage and ring a small bell.
The curtain rises and we discover the impressive scenography: a huge hanging fabric poster reading: " The French Gazette: Banned in France! Alice Cooper ". Two men in clown masks stand on either side, while two of the artist's 5 musicians are elevated on moving, pivoting staircases. After a few seconds, Alice Cooper pierces the huge poster with a sword and appears on stage to thunderous applause. Dressed in a red frock coat and black top hat, Alice Cooper is an instant eye-catcher.
It has to be said that the American artist is a true and incredible live performer. At the age of 76, Alice Cooper still has that disconcerting ease. With a career spanning over 5 decades, the singer shows that he knows his latest show by heart. Every gesture, every step, is perfectly controlled.
Once again, Alice Cooper has pulled out all the stops! Everything has been thought out to offer the audience a great show, combining hard rock and the theatrical staging that fans love so much. There are, of course, the carefully selected costumes, the artist's signature make-up, the props (knife, foil, whip, crutch...), the cotillions and balloons, and the many monstrous and terrifying little theatrical sequences.
We're thinking, of course, of the giant Frankenstein's stealthy ascent onto the stage on " Feed My Frankenstein ", the impressive snake embracing Alice Cooper on " Snakebite ", the mannequin of a woman mistreated by the singer on " Welcome to My Nightmare ", the staged murder of a photographer with a knife, not forgetting Alice Cooper's now-famous beheading with a guillotine. His executioner is none other than Marie-Antoinette, played on stage by Sheryl Goddard, Alice Cooper's wife of almost 50 years.
But in addition to these shock-rock moments on stage, Alice Cooper also won us over musically, proving that at 76, the artist is still in top form, both vocally and physically. The dynamic showman occupies the stage incredibly well, delivering powerful, controlled vocals, particularly on the iconic " Hey Stoopid ". The set is perfectly timed, leaving no respite for the audience. There's nothing wrong with the lighting either, which was once again ultra-careful.
As for the setlist, Alice Cooper didn't shy away from some of his greatest hits, including " I'm Eighteen ", " Poison ", " Feed My Frankenstein ", " Snakebit ", " Bed of nails ", the excellent " Ballad Of Dwight Fry ", during which the singer finds himself in a straitjacket, and " Elected ", performed by the artist surrounded by American flags at the top of the stairs. And let's not forget the classic " School's Out ", interspersed with the chorus of Pink Floyd's " Another Brick In The Wall, Part 2 ", under a shower of tiny bubbles and huge balloons thrown into the audience!
To make this show relentless, Alice Cooper can count on his loyal and talented team of musicians, made up of Chuck Garric (bass) and Glen Sobel (drums) as well as the guitar trio formed by Nita Strauss, who received a standing ovation during her solo, Ryan Roxie, whose look reminds us of a certain Johnny Depp, and Tommy Henriksen.
In the end, Alice Cooper and his band put on a grandiose show lasting 1h30, during which there was not a moment's boredom. A fascinating and unusual artist, Alice Cooper proved that he remains the undisputed master of shock rock at the age of 76.
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