Alice Cooper & Iron Maiden At The Klipsch Music Center 7/19/12
Alice Cooper and Iron Maiden came to the Klipsch Music Center in Nobelsville, Indiana on Thursday, July 19th. I thought I was going to miss Alice Cooper, as the show was to start at 7:30. The road going into the concert was backed up for two miles. I didn’t hit the parking lot until after 8 P.M. but a Severe Thunderstorm rolled through which prevented this concert from starting on time. I was extremely grateful for mother nature to play her part, as five minutes after I sat down, Alice Cooper took the stage.
This is third time I have seen Alice Cooper in three years, and his show hasn’t changed too much from the previous two times I have seen him, but it didn’t matter as the show Alice and his band put on was outstanding. Alice Cooper’s band consisted of Chuck Garric on bass, Orianthi,, Tommy Henriksen and Ryan Roxie on Guitar and Glen Sobel on drums. The band was excellent, and all of Alice’s normal theatrics (the guillotine, Frankenalice, etc.) were present in this show. I loved every minute of it. I was surprised that two of the songs in Alice’s set came from his 2000 album Brutal Planet, and none from Welcome 2 My Nightmare. I thought his set was way too short, but I would probably think this, if he played for two hours. Alice Cooper’s set list was: The Black Widow, Brutal Planet, I’m Eighteen, No More Mr. Nice Guy, Billion Dollar Babies, Feed My Frankenstein, Poison, Wicked Young Man, Killer, I Love the Dead, and School’s Out.
After a lengthy intermission due to an elaborate stage set up, Iron Maiden took the stage after 9:00 P.M. The digital screens on both sides of the stage showed visions of an Arctic Voyage through several glaciers and icebergs. When the stage was revealed, it looked like the ice age hit Iron Maiden’s stage. It was a very cool look with lots of fog, and blue lights to give it that chilly appearance. Iron Maiden’s stage may have been a little frosty, but their performance was anything but that. Every time I have seen Iron Maiden live, they have absolutely killed it, and this night was no exception. The mighty Bruce Dickinson still has every bit of the powerhouse voice that got him the Maiden gig back in 1981. He was running all over the multi-level stage all night, and absolutely rocking the crowd. I especially loved it, when he called out a guy on the left side of the stage who spent three of the songs texting on her cell phone. He called him a “Wanker!” 
Janick Gers might be 55 years old, but he could give a clinic to most guitar players out there. His guitar acrobatics were a lot of fun to watch. The whole band was on fire, and was constantly in motion all night. There was plenty of pyro, different backdrops and stage theatrics, and of course a 20 foot tall Eddie, and a huge Eddie that came out of the stage.
Iron Maiden’s set list consisted of the songs Moonchild, Can I Play With Madness, The Prisoner, 2 Minutes to Midnight, Afraid to Shoot Strangers, The Trooper, The Number of the Beast, Phantom of the Opera, Run to the Hills, Wasted Years, Seventh Son of a Seventh Son, The Clairvoyant, Fear of the Dark, Iron Maiden, Aces High, The Evil That Men Do and Running Free.
This was easily the best concert I have seen in 2012, and can’t wait to see Iron Maiden again. I was only armed with a point and shoot camera for this show, but I did get a few decent shots. If you get the chance to catch the Maiden England tour do so, you won’t be disappointed.
Hey Rob, just wanted to say thank you for bringing so much of the great rock news to us viewers. I appreciate your dedication…and journalism!
Rock on! Keep the articles coming.
we caught the show in DC a few weeks ago. I think that was the best I’ve seen Maiden. I don’t remember Bruce being quite so chatty with the audience in previous tours.
I was at the same show and also have seen Alice Cooper four times. The show was the same it has been the last 30 years, except the fact that the backup musicians have changed. Alice is not only looking his age but sounding his age. Iron Maiden same show same theatrics for the last 3 decades. If your considering this show do not expect anything new. it is the same thing you can see on any of their videos. If your going to go to one of these big venues to see this show make sure you have deep pockets. prices are through the roof ($4.50 bottle of water, $5.00 dollar coke, $9.00 can of beer, yes I said can, $14.00 cocktails, Cheapest T shirt $40.00. etc…. If this will be your first time seeing either band, you will enjoy. If your an old fan going to see something new and fresh it does not happen. This has been one mans opinion and nothing more.
It has been several years since I have seen Maiden so I enjoyed this show greatly. I agree 100 % that the concessions were greatly overpriced. $11.00 for a 24 ounce beer. Really?!? When I saw that the concert T-Shirts were 40.00 I walked away. I spent my $40.00 in gas getting to the venue. That was enough.