Rob Zombie and Alice Cooper’s ‘Freaks on Parade’ tour touched down earlier this week in Raleigh, North Carolina at Coastal Credit Union Music Park. Both rock music icons delivered theatrical performances that incorporated visual elements of darkness, horror, shock and even the macabre which offered many eye-bulging moments. Opening support was provided by industrial rock and metal bands Filter and Ministry.
Alice Cooper is the king of Shock Rock. At age 75, he hasn’t lost a beat and was the first headliner of the evening. Cooper’s show can be described controversial and provocative. His signature makeup and on-stage persona is what fans love the most about him. A giant newspaper hanging from the ceiling stage truss read “Banned In North Carolina! Alice Cooper – Trial Set: For Deeds Against Humanity”.
Alice Cooper set opened with a short version of “Lock Me Up” then quickly moved into his breakthrough hit “No More Mr. Nice Guy” off the 1971 album Love It to Death. The stage show had some eye-opening moments including guillotines, electrocution, fake blood and boa constrictors. Other notable tracks from the 17-song set included “I’m Eighteen”, “Poison” before closing out with an encore of “School’s Out”. Cooper’s band includes: Nita Strauss and Tommy Henricksen both on lead and rhythm guitar and backing vocals, Chris Wyse on bass filling in for Chuck Garrick and Glen Sobel on drums and percussion.
Rob Zombie is best described as a hybrid-artist combining elements of music, filmmaking and visual arts. Zombie took the stage in his classic look including dreads, bell-bottomed jeans and jacket with custom patchwork. Zombie was the closing headliner of the show and donned his classic devilish fun throughout the set which included metal/industrial sounds, scorching flames, devil statues and pyrotechnics that made you think you were literally in the center of hell. The 14-song setlist opened with “The Triumph of King Freak (A Crypt of Preservation and Superstition)” as well as notable hits like “Feel So Numb”, “Superbeast” and “Living Dead Girl”. Zombie also covered “Thunder Kiss ‘65” which is a song from his former band White Zombie from the 1990’s before closing out with “Dragula”.
Rob Zombie & Alice Cooper’s “Freaks on Parade” tour continues with 16 shows in September 2023 before wrapping up at the end of the month in Phoenix, AZ at Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre.
