Alice Cooper and Rob Zombie delivered an unforgettable night of theatrics and rock and roll to fans at the Xfinity Center in Mansfield, MA.
Alice Cooper and Rob Zombie brought their signature blend of theatrics and hard-hitting rock to the Xfinity Center in Mansfield, MA, as part of their highly anticipated Freaks on Parade Tour. Joined by special guests Ministry and Filter, the iconic duo delivered a night of spine-chilling performances, heavy riffs, and over-the-top spectacle that left fans buzzing long after the final note. From Cooper’s legendary stage antics to Zombie’s explosive energy, the concert was a perfect mix of horror, showmanship, and rock and roll at its finest.
Filter opened the night with a nod to the past, stepping onto the stage to the intro of Nine Inch Nails’ “Head Like a Hole.” It was a clever tribute to frontman Richard Patrick’s early days with NIN, immediately capturing the attention of longtime fans. As the stage filled with smoke, bathed in moody purples and blues, the atmosphere was set. The performance as a whole is a celebration of their incredible 30-year career.
They launched into their set with “You Walk Away” as Patrick’s gritty vocals and intense energy instantly ignited the crowd. The momentum kept rolling with “(Can’t You) Trip Like I Do,” sending a wave of electronic rock through the venue, fueling the energy. They then took a turn to showcase a new song “Obliteration” from their brand new album, The Algorithm.
Things slowed down for “Take a Picture,” one of Filter’s most iconic tracks, giving the audience a chance to sing along. Patrick encouraged the crowd to raise their hands and wave them in the air, creating a connection that intensified as Jonny Radtke’s guitar solos complemented Patrick’s vocals perfectly. The energy surged again with the driving force of “Welcome to the Fold.”
The band closed with the fan-favorite “Hey Man Nice Shot,” a song that Patrick had performed the night before with Stone Temple Pilots on this very stage. A staple of their 90s catalog, its powerful guitar riffs, deep bass lines, and Patrick’s raw vocals still resonate with fans decades later. As the final echo of Patrick’s voice lingered in the venue, Filter left no doubt that they were there to make a lasting impact – an electrifying start to the night.
Ministry’s setlist was a perfect blend of new material and classic hits, kicking off with the hard-hitting “B.D.E.” and “Goddamn White Trash.” The energy in the crowd surged as they powered through the politically charged anthem “Just Stop Oil,” a clear reflection of Jourgensen’s unflinching stance on current issues.As the set continued, the band launched into the industrial classic “Stigmata,” its crushing rhythm and dark undertones sending the crowd into a frenzy. The familiar opening of “N.W.O.” had the entire venue on their feet, while “Just One Fix” and “Thieves” ramped up the intensity even further. To close out the set, Ministry brought down the house with “Jesus Built My Hotrod,” a chaotic, high-octane finale that left the audience electrified.
Filter and Ministry set the stage for what was to come as anticipation built for Alice Cooper’s performance. Known for seamlessly blending theatrics with rock and roll, Cooper’s show at the Xfinity Center lived up to the hype. Draped across the stage was a large newspaper banner reading, “Banned in Massachusetts, Alice Cooper.” A single spotlight focused on the center of the curtain, casting a shadowy outline of Cooper in his iconic top hat, long coat, and sword. As the opening notes of “Lock Me Up” echoed through the speakers, band members Nita Strauss (guitar), Ryan Roxie (guitar), Chuck Garric (bass), and Tommy Henriksen (guitar) emerged, ramping up the energy. Building the moment, Cooper dramatically burst through the banner, revealing himself in his signature makeup, top hat, and red coat. The crowd erupted in excitement as the band seamlessly transitioned into “No More Mr. Nice Guy.” From the moment he took the stage, it was clear that the rock legend still knows how to command an audience, blending macabre storytelling with timeless rock anthems.The night continued with fan favorites like “Billion Dollar Babies,” “Hey Stoopid,” and “He’s Back (The Man Behind the Mask),” sending waves of nostalgia through the crowd and reminding everyone why Alice Cooper’s theatrical rock persona remains unmatched. However, it wasn’t just Cooper who made the magic happen—his exceptionally talented band played a huge role in bringing it all together. Glen Sobel’s thunderous drumbeats and Chuck Garric’s steady basslines locked in perfectly with the electrifying wails of Nita Strauss and Ryan Roxie on guitar. Add to that, live snakes, elaborate props, and stage actors enhancing the narrative Cooper was singing, and it became more than just a musical performance – it was a visual spectacle and a masterfully orchestrated rock opera.
Nita Strauss delivered a jaw-dropping guitar solo, shredding through a technically flawless performance. Her energy, paired with Cooper’s eerie theatrics, created an electrifying atmosphere. Closing the night, Cooper ended with “School’s Out,” weaving in some of Pink Floyd’s “Another Brick in the Wall Part 2.” The audience joined in, singing along. Cooper took the time to introduce each of his band members, giving them a chance to shine. He ended with, “Playing the part of Alice Cooper tonight… me,” which was met with cheers as he joked with the crowd.
The entire performance was a testament to Cooper’s over 50 years of experience in the studio and out on tour. He is a master at creating rock anthems and delivers them to fans with such finesse, thoughtfully executed with perfection. Cooper still tours regularly, and his show is a must-see for anyone.
Soon, the curtain dropped one final time as the stage transformed for the night’s headlining act. The opening notes of “Demon Speeding” echoed through the arena, building anticipation. From behind the black drape, two glowing red eyes pierced through the darkness, watching from above. As the lights went out and the music intensified, the curtain fell to reveal a towering skull podium with the name “Zombie” emblazoned across it. Perched atop was Rob Zombie himself, with drummer Ginger Fish (Kenneth Wilson) elevated beside him, pounding out beats that synced with flashing red lights. Behind them, screens projected eerie images of Charles Manson, skulls, and pentagrams. Zombie, wearing his signature hat, dreadlocks, and beads, commanded the stage, igniting the crowd.As “Feel So Numb” kicked in, the podium was removed, and Zombie descended to ground level. Pyro shot up from various points around the stage as he commanded the space, moving from left to right, engaging fans with every step. Kicking, headbanging, and hitting every beat, Zombie kept the energy high. The crowd’s voices echoed back as they sang along, proving the venue was packed with diehard Zombie fans, fully immersed in the experience. As the song ended, Zombie exclaimed, “People down front in the pits! Are you ready? Let’s get this show on the road, motherf***er!”
The entire night was full of vibrant visuals, props, and costumes, including actors dressed as huge robots that walked across the stage, adding even more theatrics. Zombie is a master at creating intense visuals that mesh seamlessly with his music, interweaving newer songs with older classics and encouraging fans to jump and get into the music. One of the highlights came when Zombie revisited White Zombie’s “More Human Than Human,” sending the crowd into a nostalgic frenzy.
At the start of “Thunder Kiss ’65,” with the stage decked out in red-lined lights, Zombie had everyone take out their cell phones to light up the venue. He got the fans pumped up, telling them he felt the energy and sent the crowd into a moshing frenzy.
As the night wound down, Zombie brought out his biggest hit, “Dragula.” He asked everyone to put their phones away and enjoy it old school. The crowd erupted as Zombie, still full of energy, led the final chorus, cementing his place as one of the most dynamic performers in rock. From start to finish, Zombie delivered a high-octane, horror-infused spectacle that left fans screaming for more.
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