Alice Cooper is out on the road on the Freaks On Parade 2023 Tour with an artist that he has had a huge influence on Rob Zombie. The tour stopped in Raleigh, North Carolina on August 29, 2023 at the Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek. Although never officially listed as a SOLD-OUT show, it was hard to look around and find an empty seat or see any unoccupied grass on the lawn seat section. It’s really hard to believe that Alice is 75 years old. The way the guy moves around on stage and off is of a much younger person. As always, he has surrounded himself with a well supplied army of artists as his band. It consists of Ryan Roxie is on guitar, Nita Strauss on guitar, Tommy Henriksen on guitar,  on bass and Glen Sobel on drums and Chris Wyse on bass. That’s a lot of damn talent in one band! The show started with a banner falling across the front of the stage that resembled a large newspaper. It read “Banned in North Carolina! Alice Cooper Trial Set: For Deeds Against Humanity.” When the lights went down, a spotlight hit the curtain and the silhoutte of Cooper appeared behind the curtain, through which he made his entrance in trademark red jacket and top hat. Alice had another awesome stage design with large steps that looked as if they belonged in an old mansion/spooky house located near the front of the stage that the band members used throughout the show. The setlist ran the gauntlet of Alice’s career! One exception is that there was nothing from his epic new album Road included in the set, but I’m sure it was a time restraint. “No More Mr. Nice Guy,” “I’m Eighteen,” “Hey Stoopid,” “Poison,” “Feed My Frankenstein” and “School’s Out” were all performed as well as others. All of the theatrics were there including the oversized monster during “Feed My Frankenstein” as well as Cheryl Cooper cutting Alice’s head off in the guillotine during “Killer.” One surprise to us and a welcomed one was giving guitarist Nita Strauss her own guitar solo which was awesome! She received a HUGE roar of applause and cheers from the crowd at the end of the show when Alice introduced each member of the band. In all, this was classic Alice Cooper and it was so much damn fun! He keeps delivering one of the best overall shows out there!

Review & pix: I’m Music Magazine Owner/Editor Johnny Price