ALICE COOPER - Ol’ Black Eyes is Back!
Pictured: Alice Cooper - Alice Cooper
Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney - February 15, 2020
Photo by Jimmy Wah
Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney - 2020
Review by Jimmy Wah | Sense Music Media - on behalf of TEO Magazine
As eager fans ambled around the forecourt of the Qudos Bank Arena, there was an eerie stillness in the air as everything seemed drained of colour. The day prematurely drew to a close as an impending storm approached and everywhere the light touched turned a shade of grey. Perhaps a prelude to the horror themed show they were waiting to see, the unnerving change only seemed to heighten the excitement of the long line of returning Alice Cooper fans. The buzz they created along with the rising tide of Queen fans entering the ANZ Stadium next door seemed to electrify the air as Sydney prepared for a night of rock ‘n’ roll to remember.
Pictured: Qudos Bank Arena floor
15 February, 2020
Photo by: Jimmy Wah
When the interior doors finally opened, generations of eager fans were able to escape the imminent downpour and slowly fill the seated arena floor. Whether young or old it didn’t matter, the music throughout the night would speak to everyone who loved not just Alice Cooper but all of rock ‘n’ roll. The support acts were testament to precisely that point.
Pictured: Wayne Kramer - MC50
Qudos Bank Arena - 15 February, 2020
Photo by: Jimmy Wah
First up was an iconic Detroit band of proto-punk rockers known originally as MC5. In 1968 the band earned worldwide attention for their number 1 single and debut album Kick Out The Jams. 50 years later they reformed as newfound super-group MC50 to mark the anniversary of their worldwide success. Made up of Soundgarden guitarist Kim Thayil, Fugazi drummer Brendan Canty, King’s X bassist Doug Pinnick and Zen Guerilla vocalist Marcus Durant, this star studded line-up came together to join Wayne Kramer; lead guitarist and original founder of MC5. These iconic performers were nothing short of entertaining, with Marcus Durant delivering a powerful rendition of Fred Smith’s original vocals alongside the superstar lineup impeccably recreating every MC5 song that was played. Wayne Kramer was free to play-it-up for the audience with his unmistakable antics, dressed in patriotic red-white-and-blue and gifting Sydney with American rock ‘n’ roll wielding his iconic guitar wrapped in the US flag.
Pictured: Ryan O’Keefe and Matt ‘Harri’ Harrison - Airbourne
Qudos Bank Arena - 15 February, 2020
Photo by: Jimmy Wah
There wasn’t much time to take in the sights of the growing crowd as the Airbourne backdrop rolled down and a group of guitar-wielding, Aussie rock stars rushed the stage. In a spray of water, light and energy that seemed to make them appear like they truly were flying, Sydney experienced the full force of Airbourne! Bright backlighting caught every feature, from matted hair to glistening droplets of water that seemed to follow them everywhere they moved as their stage performance was only surpassed by the power of the music. Heavy rock, flavoured with epic guitar riffs and solos from Matt ‘Harri’ Harrison sailing beneath Joel O’Keeffe’s powerful lead vocals. Joel’s brother Ryan O’Keeffe provided the thunderous drums as Justin Street’s solid bass performance brought the crowd to their feet with the band’s explosive sound. Airbourne were the perfect accompaniment for what was to come.
The stage curtain eyes glowing red - Ol’ Black Eyes Is Back Tour
Qudos Bank Arena - 15 February, 2020
Photo by: Jimmy Wah
With the stage view hidden by a curtain, the crowd found a distinctive set of eyes staring straight back at the them. They erupted in a unanimous cheer as the eyes began to glow red and when the curtain finally dropped, the crowd were treated to a flawlessly animated performance from a group of world class musicians. Ryan Roxie shared lead guitar duties with Tommy Henriksen and the showstopping Nita Strauss, while Chuck Garric stomped his authority on the bass alongside Glen Sobel on drums. The opening track, Feed My Frankenstein, even saw the return of Franken Alice; a giant puppeted performer stumbling on the stage to complete the Haunted Castle facade. Alice Cooper led the show with his top-hat and cane, stylish leathers and adorably painful expressions. Whether from the front of the stage or the top of the castle wall Alice Cooper stole the show with his commandeering presence.
Pictured: Chuck Garrick and Nita Strauss - Alice Cooper
Qudos Bank Arena - 15 February, 2020
Photo by: Jimmy Wah
Following their impressive opening, Alice Cooper didn’t take their foot off the pedal, backing it up with No More Mr. Nice Guy and Bed Of Nails before continuing a jam-packed 2 hours of solid crowd pleasing tracks and on stage theatrics. Alice’s top-hat and leathers made way for a blood stained white dinner shirt after his severed head was stolen from his zombie lover and rushed across the stage in front of the castle. Meanwhile, the crowd’s appetite was indulged by iconic songs like Under My Wheels, Muscle of Love and none other than Poison, which brought everyone to their feet as they amplified the sound by singing along. As a prelude to He’s Back (The Man Behind the Mask), there was the hooded, masked and outrageously talented guitarist playing atop one of the castle towers who, once revealed was none other than Nita Strauss. Along with a thunderously paced drum solo by the Glen Sobel and even more show stopping performances, the crew finally left the stage… only to return for a two part encore with a fitting tribute to Australian bush fire victims; by inviting a crew of local firefighters on stage for School’s Out.
Pictured: Chuck Garrick, Ryan Roxie, Nita Strauss, Alics Cooper and Tommy Henriksen - Alice Cooper
Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney - 15 February, 2020
Photo by: Jimmy Wah
After an epic night of quintessential rock ‘n’ roll delivered in Sydney Olympic Park it would be hard to think of how Sydney could fit in much more. However with the Fire Fight Australia - Concert for National Bushfire Relief the next day at ANZ Stadium and headline acts like Tool just around the corner at the Qudos, Sydney is proving why it’s one of Australia’s many capitals of entertainment.
