Alice Cooper performed at the Resorts World Arena in Birmingham, United Kingdom, on October 10, 2019, as part of his critically acclaimed "Ol' Black Eyes Is Back" tour. The event featured a elaborate "Nightmare Castle" stage production and support from legendary acts The Stranglers and MC50, marking a significant moment in the shock rock pioneer's modern touring history.
The 2019 visit to Birmingham was not merely another stop on a global circuit; it represented a revitalization of the Alice Cooper stage show. As of 2026, music historians and fans look back at the "Ol' Black Eyes Is Back" era as one of the most cohesive and visually impressive periods of Cooper’s five-decade career. The Birmingham show at the NEC complex (Resorts World Arena) served as a centerpiece for the UK leg, drawing thousands of fans to witness the architect of shock rock deliver a masterclass in theatrical heavy metal.
The Context of the 2019 "Ol' Black Eyes Is Back" Tour
In 2019, Alice Cooper was experiencing a creative resurgence. Following the success of his 2017 album Paranormal and the ongoing popularity of the Hollywood Vampires supergroup, Cooper sought to return to a more traditional, story-driven theatrical format for his solo shows. The "Ol' Black Eyes Is Back" tour was designed to be a departure from the previous "Spend the Night with Alice Cooper" production, introducing an entirely new set design and a revised narrative flow.
The tour's timing coincided with the release of the The Breadcrumbs EP, a tribute to the garage rock roots of Cooper’s hometown, Detroit. While the show focused on the hits, the aesthetic was darker and more immersive than his mid-2010s outings. By the time the tour reached Birmingham in October, the band was tightly rehearsed, having already completed a successful run of dates in North America earlier that summer.
The Significance of the Birmingham Location
Birmingham holds a sacred place in the history of rock and heavy metal. As the birthplace of Black Sabbath and Judas Priest, the city's audience is notoriously discerning when it comes to "heavy" entertainment. Alice Cooper has maintained a loyal following in the West Midlands since the early 1970s.
The Resorts World Arena, located within the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) complex, provided the necessary scale for Cooper’s production. With a capacity of approximately 15,700, the arena allowed for the full deployment of the "Nightmare Castle" set, which required significant vertical clearance and stage depth that smaller theaters could not accommodate.
Detailed Analysis of the Supporting Acts
One of the defining features of the Birmingham 2019 show was the high-caliber support bill. Rather than selecting contemporary openers, the tour curated a lineup that celebrated the history of punk and proto-punk, creating a "mini-festival" atmosphere.
MC50: The Spirit of Detroit
Opening the evening was MC50, a supergroup led by Wayne Kramer, the founding guitarist of the legendary Detroit band MC5. The 2019 tour was a continuation of the 50th-anniversary celebration of the seminal album Kick Out the Jams.
MC50 provided a direct link to Alice Cooper’s own origins in the Detroit rock scene of the late 1960s. Their set in Birmingham was a high-octane blast of political proto-punk, featuring a rotating cast of rock royalty. The inclusion of MC50 served as a "hometown" nod from Cooper to his roots, even while performing thousands of miles away in England.
The Stranglers: UK Punk Royalty
The main support for the Birmingham date was The Stranglers. By 2019, The Stranglers had evolved far beyond their punk beginnings into a sophisticated, keyboard-driven rock entity. Their setlist in Birmingham was a "best-of" selection that resonated deeply with the UK crowd.
Key highlights from The Stranglers’ performance included:
- "Peaches": A classic bass-driven anthem that set a gritty tone.
- "Golden Brown": Their most famous hit, providing a melodic contrast to the evening's heavier moments.
- "Hanging Around": A showcase for Dave Greenfield's intricate keyboard work (Greenfield passed away in 2020, making this 2019 performance one of his final major arena shows in Birmingham).
The "Nightmare Castle" Stage Production
The core of the Birmingham 2019 experience was the visual spectacle. Alice Cooper’s production team designed a multi-level stage resembling a dilapidated gothic castle. This set was not static; it featured various interactive elements that facilitated the "theatrics" Cooper is famous for.
Technical Elements of the Show
The "Nightmare Castle" utilized a sophisticated lighting rig that focused on deep purples, eerie greens, and stark white spotlights to create a cinematic atmosphere. Unlike many modern tours that rely heavily on LED screens and digital projections, the 2019 show leaned into physical props and "old-school" stagecraft.
- The Turrets: Band members, particularly the guitarists, frequently utilized the upper levels of the castle to perform solos, creating a dynamic sense of verticality.
- The Giant Baby: During "Dead Babies" and "I Love the Dead," a massive, animatronic "Billion Dollar Baby" roamed the stage, a surreal and grotesque hallmark of the tour.
- The Guillotine: No Alice Cooper show is complete without the execution sequence. In Birmingham, the execution of the "Alice" character remained the emotional and theatrical climax of the second act.
The 2019 Birmingham Setlist and Musical Highlights
The musical performance in Birmingham was anchored by what many fans consider the "definitive" modern Alice Cooper band. This lineup included:
- Nita Strauss: Lead guitar (famed for her virtuosic soloing and stage energy).
- Ryan Roxie: Guitar (a long-time collaborator with a classic rock sensibility).
- Tommy Henriksen: Guitar/Programming (Cooper’s right-hand man in the studio).
- Chuck Garric: Bass (a powerhouse presence on stage).
- Glen Sobel: Drums (widely regarded as one of the best technical drummers in rock).
Key Musical Moments
The setlist was a calculated mix of "must-play" anthems and deep cuts that hadn't been heard in Birmingham for years.
| Song Title | Significance | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Feed My Frankenstein | Opening sequence | Featured a giant Frankenstein monster roaming the stage. |
| No More Mr. Nice Guy | Early Hit | A crowd-wide singalong that established the energy for the night. |
| Bed of Nails | 80s Revival | A fan favorite from the Trash era that highlighted Nita Strauss's shredding. |
| Roses on White Lace | Deep Cut | A technical, heavy track from the Raise Your Fist and Yell album. |
| Poison | The Mega-Hit | The arena reached its peak volume during this 1989 classic. |
| Steven | Theatrical Core | Part of the "Nightmare" sequence, showcasing Alice’s acting skills. |
| School's Out | The Finale | Combined with a snippet of Pink Floyd’s "Another Brick in the Wall, Part 2." |
The inclusion of "He's Back (The Man Behind the Mask)" was a particular highlight for many, as the track (originally from the Friday the 13th Part VI soundtrack) had seen a resurgence in popularity among younger fans and horror enthusiasts.
The Experience: Sound and Atmosphere
Reports from the Birmingham date highlighted the exceptional sound engineering at the Resorts World Arena. Mixing three distinct guitars (Strauss, Roxie, and Henriksen) can often result in a "muddy" wall of sound, but the 2019 Birmingham mix was noted for its clarity. Each guitarist’s unique tone was distinguishable, which is essential for tracks like "Roses on White Lace" where the guitar work is intricate.
The atmosphere in the NEC complex was electric. Birmingham crowds have a reputation for being vocal, and the 2019 show was no exception. There was a palpable sense of respect for Cooper, who, at 71 years old at the time, performed with the physical agility of a man half his age. His vocal performance was described by local critics as "snarling and potent," showing little of the wear and tear associated with aging rock stars.
Historical Context: Alice Cooper in the UK
To understand the weight of the 2019 Birmingham show, one must look at Cooper's long-term relationship with the United Kingdom. In the 1970s, Alice Cooper was a figure of moral panic in the UK, with members of Parliament even attempting to ban him from performing. By 2019, he had become a "beloved villain"—a staple of the British rock scene who was welcomed with open arms.
The 2019 tour was one of the last major arena tours in the UK before the global lockdowns of 2020. This makes the Birmingham October 10th date a significant marker in the "pre-pandemic" concert era. For many fans in the Midlands, this was the last high-production spectacle they witnessed before the live music industry was paused.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the exact date of Alice Cooper's Birmingham show in 2019?
The concert took place on Thursday, October 10, 2019. It was one of the early dates in the UK leg of the "Ol' Black Eyes Is Back" tour, which also visited cities like London, Manchester, and Aberdeen.
Who were the opening bands for the 2019 Birmingham concert?
The show featured a double-bill of high-profile support acts: The Stranglers and MC50 (featuring Wayne Kramer). Both bands performed full sets prior to Alice Cooper taking the stage.
What venue did Alice Cooper play in Birmingham in 2019?
He performed at the Resorts World Arena, located at the National Exhibition Centre (NEC). At the time, the venue had recently transitioned from its previous name, the Genting Arena.
Did Alice Cooper play "Poison" at the Birmingham 2019 show?
Yes, "Poison" was a central part of the setlist, usually performed toward the end of the main set. It remains his most popular song in the UK and was a significant highlight of the night.
Was the 2019 show the last time Alice Cooper played in Birmingham?
No. Following the 2019 tour, Alice Cooper returned to the UK for several subsequent tours, including a co-headlining run with The Cult in 2022 and his "Too Close for Comfort" tour in 2024. However, the 2019 show is often cited as having one of his most elaborate stage productions.
Final Recommendation for Fans and Historians
For those researching the history of rock performances in the West Midlands, the Alice Cooper 2019 Birmingham show stands as a premier example of how to successfully blend high-concept theater with heavy metal. If you are looking for media from this event, several high-quality fan recordings and professional reviews from publications like Birmingham Live and Kerrang! provide excellent documentation of the evening's energy.
When evaluating the "Ol' Black Eyes Is Back" era, pay particular attention to the interplay between Nita Strauss and the rest of the band; this specific lineup’s chemistry in Birmingham is often cited as a high-water mark for Cooper’s 21st-century touring units.
