The Alice Cooper “It’s All a Blur” tour is the artist’s 21st solo concert tour, launched in support of his 26th studio album “Detroit Stories”. The tour began in September 2021 and is scheduled to run through December 2023, making it Cooper’s longest solo tour to date spanning over 2 years. Known for his theatrical brand of heavy metal and hard rock blended with horror and vaudeville, Alice Cooper puts on an elaborate live show that is part-rock concert, part-theatrical play, featuring props, costumes, guillotines, fake blood, boa constrictors and more. At 74 years old, he continues to deliver an energetic and engaging performance. Fans are eager to catch the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer on his latest trek across North America and Europe.
Tour Details
The “It’s All a Blur” tour launched on September 17, 2021 with a performance in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The opening leg of the tour ran through November 2021 with 28 shows performed in the United States and Canada. Cooper spent the winter holidays at home before kicking off the second North American leg in February 2022. This leg included 44 shows taking place in the U.S. and one performance in Mexico City.
After a short break in June, the tour resumed with the third leg spanning July and August 2022. This leg saw Cooper return to Europe for the first time since 2017. He hit major markets like Berlin, Prague, Barcelona and Paris as well as some smaller cities and festivals. In total, 23 shows were completed across Europe.
Starting in September 2022, Cooper picked back up in North America for the fourth leg of the tour. This leg included 33 shows in the U.S. and Canada and ran through the end of November. He then headed back to Europe in December for 14 more shows before wrapping up 2022.
The tour is scheduled to continue through 2023 with legs planned in Australia, New Zealand, South America, Mexico and more shows in North America and Europe. The full itinerary has not yet been announced but Cooper stated he plans to stay on the road well into 2023. Based on what’s been announced so far, estimates suggest the “It’s All a Blur” tour will include over 100 shows by the time it concludes, likely making it Cooper’s longest tour spanning well over 100 dates.
Setlist
Cooper’s setlist for the “It’s All a Blur” tour draws from his extensive catalog of hits spanning his 50+ year career. It includes classics like “School’s Out”, “No More Mr. Nice Guy” and “Poison” along with deeper cuts and new material from his latest album. He changes up the setlist slightly for each leg of the tour but many fan favorites remain constant.
Here are some of the most commonly played songs on the setlist:
- “Feed My Frankenstein”
- “Brutal Planet”
- “I’m Eighteen”
- “Billion Dollar Babies”
- “No More Mr. Nice Guy”
- “Under My Wheels”
- “Lost in America”
- “Teenage Frankenstein”
- “Hey Stoopid”
- “Roses on White Lace”
- “Fallen in Love”
- “Beast of Burden” (The Rolling Stones cover)
- “Go to Hell”
- “Dirty Diamonds”
- “Bed of Nails”
- “School’s Out”
Cooper’s concerts typically run between 90 minutes to 2 hours in length with costume changes and choreographed theatrical elements throughout. It’s an exhilarating ride for both longtime fans and newer audiences.
Stage Production
An Alice Cooper show is known for its spectacular concert production and the “It’s All a Blur” tour is no exception. The stage set features menacing metal scaffolds, lighting rigs shaped like coffins and a giant Frankenstein monster that towers over the stage. Visual elements like pyrotechnics, strobe lights, projection screens and confetti immerse the audience in Cooper’s twisted imagination.
Theatrical vignettes play out on stage enhancing songs. A mental hospital scene precedes “Feed My Frankenstein.” Alice is strapped into a straitjacket by nurses and wheeled out on a dolly to escape. For the ballad “Only Women Bleed” he sings from inside a towering on-stage closet. Antics with his snake occur during “Is It My Body.” Surprise guest appearances by zombies, demons, skeletons and more manifest throughout the show.
Cooper’s legendary guillotine makes an appearance to “chop off” his head at the end of the main set during “Dead Babies.” It’s all part of the morbid theatrics that help make an Alice Cooper show such a one-of-a-kind experience.
Critical Reception
Reviews of the “It’s All a Blur” tour have been overwhelmingly positive with critics praising Cooper’s vocal performance and high-energy stage show. Many expressed surprise at how great Cooper’s voice still sounds at his age and the effortless way he still commands the stage after 50 years of touring.
Some key comments from critics:
- “At 74, he vocalizes remarkably well, hitting notes that would make singers half his age envious.” – Glide Magazine
- “Cooper remains an incredible showman, oozing charm and controlling the stage.” – Forbes
- “The Godfather of Shock Rock still has incredible stamina and vocal dexterity.” – Houston Press
- “He delivers all the theatrics and hits fans expect with the energy of someone 40 years younger.” – Dallas Observer
- “Cooper’s vocals are still nails-on-a-chalkboard sharp as he growls through his catalog of classics.” – Cleveland Scene
Fans on social media have also been raving about the shows, citing Cooper’s strong voice and ability to still deliver killer performances. Many have declared it one of the best and most fun rock concerts they’ve seen.
Special Guests
Cooper has been mixing up the tour by inviting different iconic rockers to join him on stage for guest appearances at select shows. Guest stars have included fellow rock legends like Deep Purple’s Roger Glover and Ian Gillan, ZZ Top’s Billy Gibbons, ex-Kiss guitarist Ace Frehley, and more. He’s also brought up-and-coming artists on stage that he’s championed like emerging rocker Tyler Bryant.
Some notable special guest appearances on the tour so far:
- Roger Glover and Ian Gillan (Deep Purple) – October 2021 in Hollywood, FL
- Ace Frehley (Kiss) – November 2021 in Detroit, MI
- Lita Ford – June 2022 in London, UK
- Billy Gibbons (ZZ Top) – September 2022 in Reno, NV
- Tyler Bryant – October 2022 in Houston, TX
These surprise joint performances add an extra element of excitement to Cooper’s shows. Fans never know who might turn up making each gig unique and special in its own way. It exemplifies Cooper’s appreciation for his fellow rock stars and his generous spirit to share the stage with both established icons and rising talent.
Record-Breaking Length
Based on what’s been announced already, estimates indicate Alice Cooper’s “It’s All a Blur” tour will surpass 100 shows by completion. That would make it the longest-running concert tour of his career, a remarkable feat for a 74 year old rocker.
The tour has already broken Cooper’s previous personal record for his longest tour. That was previously held by his “Raise the Dead Tour” which spanned from 1986-1987 for a total of 83 shows according to setlist records.
Only a few other classic rock artists like The Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney and Elton John have embarked on similarly lengthy tours beyond 100 shows in their 70s. The fact that Cooper is still extending his record and adding new locations well into 2023 proves he’s still got the stamina and drive to deliver his explosive live show to fans everywhere. It allows audiences who missed out the first time around to still experience one of rock’s greatest theatrical performers.
Remaining Tour Dates
Here are the remaining tour dates announced so far for Alice Cooper’s “It’s All a Blur” tour:
Date | City | Venue |
---|---|---|
January 28, 2023 | Auckland, New Zealand | Spark Arena |
February 2, 2023 | Brisbane, Australia | Entertainment Centre |
February 4, 2023 | Sydney, Australia | Qudos Bank Arena |
February 7, 2023 | Melbourne, Australia | Rod Laver Arena |
February 10, 2023 | Adelaide, Australia | Adelaide Entertainment Centre |
February 12, 2023 | Perth, Australia | RAC Arena |
April 1-2, 2023 | Santiago, Chile | Lollapalooza Chile |
April 6-7, 2023 | Bogota, Colombia | Festival Estereo Picnic |
April 9, 2023 | Lima, Peru | Explanada Monumental |
June 13, 2023 | Hamburg, Germany | Barclays Arena |
June 27, 2023 | London, UK | O2 Arena |
July 4, 2023 | Milan, Italy | Ippodromo Snai San Siro |
July 11, 2023 | Halden, Norway | Tons of Rock Festival |
August 23, 2023 | Santander, Spain | Escenario Santander |
September 12, 2023 | Detroit, MI | Pine Knob Music Theatre |
September 15, 2023 | Atlantic City, NJ | Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena |
September 26, 2023 | Toronto, ON | Budweiser Stage |
October 3, 2023 | Hollywood, FL | Hard Rock Live |
Additional dates in new cities are likely to be added as Cooper has stated he plans to tour into 2024. But these shows provide an idea of the worldwide trek he still has in front of him, from Australia to South America to Europe and more. It’s a schedule that would exhaust musicians half his age but Cooper has proven he still possesses the fortitude to deliver his unforgettable show for fans across the globe.
Conclusion
Not many artists reach age 74 with the ability, stamina and fan support to mount marathon world tours like Alice Cooper has with “It’s All a Blur.” His 2023 dates and pending additions should allow him to surpass 100 shows and over two years on this record-breaking road odyssey. Cooper’s vocal chops remain strong as he breathes life into his theatrical catalog of shock rock hits night after night. Each performance features new surprises in the form of special guests and setlist twists. For both diehard fans who’ve seen Cooper countless times and new generations getting their first taste, it’s a rock concert like no other. Catch him while you can in whatever corner of the world his blurry trek reaches next.