I’ve listened to Alice Cooper over the years but had never made it to a concert—until now, where he co-headlines with Judas Priest, a powerhouse pairing. A younger generation might see this as just another “aging rock star” tour, but that matters little to fans, who want to know if their rock heroes are still worth it—and if so, at what cost. So, is Alice Cooper still any good? The answer: YES.
This setlist is one of his strongest in recent years. While “Welcome to My Nightmare” may not be included, there’s plenty to love across his decades of recordings. It’s no surprise that songs from 1989’s Trash, 1991’s Hey Stoopid, and even 2005’s Dirty Diamonds hold up remarkably well for an artist generally regarded as a ’70s rocker.
Maybe it’s the start of a new tour, but it was awesome to see Alice’s enthusiasm for the set; there were no signs of “here we go on tour again.” His enthusiasm for the roles he takes on is palpable—whether it’s his condemning growl of “pay the whores” in “Brutal Planet” or his theatrical staging throughout the night.
While there may be fewer props and actors than in tours past, the mini-suite of “The Ballad of Dwight Fry,” “Cold Ethyl,” and “Only Women Bleed” stole the show. From abusing a mannequin to kissing his wife Sheryl (as mannequin-come-alive), to losing his head by guillotine, Cooper’s stagecraft remains amply satisfying. As for that “aging” thing: Alice at 77 doesn’t mean old—it makes The Godfather of Shock Rock even creepier.
The band, meanwhile, is polished to perfection. Ryan Roxie, Tommy Henriksen, and “her majesty” Nita Strauss powered through triple-guitar interplay and fiery solos, bringing to mind why “classic rock” song structures, great melodies and general rock swagger still wins.
Alice closed with the line: “May all your lovely dreams become nightmares.” In character to the end, it was a reminder that plenty of artists wear makeup and dramatize a performance—but there’s only one Alice Cooper.
Setlist:
Fifty-one years after their debut release and with fifty million albums sold, Judas Priest returned to the Atlanta area, co-headlining with Alice Cooper—who fittingly inducted the band into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2022.
Like Cooper, Judas Priest carries the aura of ’70s vintage metal, though that hardly captures the strength of their later catalog. Albums like 1990’s Painkiller or 2024’s Invincible Shield prove the band continues to push forward. Fans of heavy metal were rewarded with a set that leaned heavily on Painkiller, including six tracks from what many consider their heaviest record.
At the center stood Rob Halford, as commanding as ever. Since joining in 1973, his piercing vocals and leather-clad persona have defined the band’s image. Backed by longtime bassist Ian Hill and the twin-guitar attack of Richie Faulkner and Andy Sneap, the group tore through riffs with speed and precision – “Night Crawler,” particularly, stood in evidence.
This was a “can’t miss” set for fans, and the staging, while not as extravagant as Cooper’s, has plenty of lights and focuses the attention on the band. For the encore, per tradition, Halford rode his Harley onto the stage from the fog at stage right, where he sang half of “Hell Bent for Leather” from its seat. This and “Living After Midnight” were the perfect encore, with searing guitar and the audience joining loudly for the choruses.
Halford closed with and appreciation and a promise: “Thank you metal maniacs. Thank you for keeping the faith, defending the faith. We’ll probably be back. We always come back. We are Judas fucking Priest!”
This is a dream double bill, and while ticket sales have been surprisingly soft, that only means more chances for fans to score deals. It’s the kind of show you’ll want to experience yourself—and bring friends along to witness legends still at the height of their power.
Setlist:
All Guns Blazing – Painkiller
Hell Patrol – Painkiller
You’ve Got Another Thing Comin’ – Screaming for Vengeance
Freewheel Burning – Defenders of the Faith
Breaking the Law – British Steel
A Touch of Evil – Painkiller
Night Crawler – Painkiller
Solar Angels – Point of Entry
Gates of Hell – Invincible Shield
Between the Hammer and the Anvil – Painkiller
Giants in the Sky – Invincible Shield
Painkiller – Painkiller
Encore:
