(Clarkston,Michigan)-The Freaks on Parade tour stop at Pine Knob Music Theatre brought a potent blend of theatrical rock and industrial metal, headlined by two of rock’s most iconic performers: Alice Cooper and Rob Zombie. The night was a spectacle of horror-infused imagery, relentless energy and a lineup of songs that spanned decades. Fans of both artists got a heavy dose of nostalgia mixed with the unyielding force that defines both of these legendary performers.
Alice Cooper opened his set with “Lock Me Up,” a gritty, hard-hitting cut that laid the foundation for the evening’s dark and theatrical vibe. Cooper, always known for his elaborate stage shows, leaned into his persona as he has for the last 50 years. His voice, still sharp and snarling, carried the weight of his decades-long career. “No More Mr. Nice Guy” followed, a crowd favorite that had longtime fans belting out the lyrics, the audience already immersed in the night’s eclectic atmosphere.
One of the many standout moments came early with “I’m Eighteen,” one of Cooper’s most iconic tracks. The sense of rebellion that the songs lyrics carry resonated deeply with the crowd, reinvigorating emotions long forgotten. This was quickly followed with “Under My Wheels,” a faster track that showcased the crazy skills of guitarist Nita Strauss, which ramped up the building energy even further. The quick pace of these two songs back-to-back felt like a nod to the grit of classic rock and roll, keeping things raw and punchy.
“Hey Stoopid” and “He’s Back (The Man Behind the Mask)” pulled the crowd deeper into the world that is Alice Cooper. “Hey Stoopid” had that playful, anthemic quality that Cooper has always historically balanced well against his darker material, while “He’s Back” brought the slasher horror vibe to the forefront. The latter, with its connection to the Friday the 13th film series, resonated with horror fans in the crowd, especially considering Rob Zombie’s horror-leaning fanbase also occupied space in the sold out venue.
“Snakebite,” one of the deeper cuts in the set, was an unexpected but welcome addition, showing that Cooper can still surprise his audience. It was followed by “Feed My Frankenstein,” a song that epitomizes his blend of horror and rock. Theatrics aside, it’s a song that always lands well, its driving rhythm and larger-than-life lyrics perfectly suited for an outdoor venue like Pine Knob.
Another deep cut and a total surprise to most,”Go to Hell,” was a highlight for long-time Cooper fans. It’s not a track you’d expect to hear at every show, but the inclusion of it in the setlist demonstrated Cooper’s willingness to dig into his catalog beyond just the greatest hits. The song’s eerie, theatrical nature fit in well with the rest of the set. “Poison,” one of Cooper’s biggest mainstream hits, was next and drew a huge response, its catchy hooks still packing a punch as they did in the late 80s.
After a guitar solo and the haunting “Black Widow Jam,” the night turned to some of Cooper’s darker material. “Ballad of Dwight Fry” and “Killer / I Love the Dead,” brought a sense of macabre theatrics that has defined much of his career. “Elected” injected a bit of political satire, something that Cooper has always toyed with in his music.
As the set neared its end, Cooper delivered a powerful rendition of “School’s Out,” with a special guest appearance by Michigan-born Suzi Quatro. Adding the snippet of Pink Floyd’s “Another Brick in the Wall Pt. 2” added a further layer to the song, making it an extended anthem that energized the crowd. The combination of Cooper’s stage antics and Suzi Quatro’s surprise made for a perfect finale to his portion of the night.
Rob Zombie took the stage with an entirely different energy, bringing a barrage of industrial beats and searing guitars. He launched right into “Demon Speeding,” immediately switching the vibe of the night from theatrical rock to a heavier, more relentless sound. His set was filled with all the elements that his fans have come to expect – heavy riffs, electronic undertones, and a rapid-fire delivery.
Zombie followed up with “Super-Charger Heaven,” a nod to his days with White Zombie. The track’s grinding rhythm and shouted vocals hit hard, and Zombie’s relentless delivery left no time for a breather. The follow-up, “Feel So Numb,” took that drive and gave it an electronic edge. The song’s thumping beats and distorted guitars combined into a wall of sound that reverberated deep into the venue.
As the set progressed, Zombie dug into his more eccentric material with “Well, Everybody’s Fucking in a U.F.O.” and “What Lurks on Channel X?”. Both tracks brought out Zombie’s love for B-movie horror, with their quirky lyrics and strange, alien themes. There was a playful sense of chaos in these songs that had the crowd moving and laughing, offering a counterbalance to the heavier moments of the 15 song set.
“Superbeast” kept the pace at full throttle, its aggressive beat and catchy chorus turning out to be one of the night’s bigger highlights. “The Lords of Salem,” another notable inclusion, slowed things down just slightly, its more measured pace giving the audience a moment to catch their breath before diving back into the madness.
“Dead City Radio and the New Gods of Supertown” and “The Triumph of King Freak (A Crypt of Preservation and Superstition)” showcased Zombie’s more recent material, blending in seamlessly with the older hits. The crowd was still just as engaged, showing that Zombie’s newer work holds up to the classics. A drum solo from Ginger Fish broke up the set, giving Zombie a brief respite while showcasing the talent of his backing band.
“The Satanic Rites of Blacula” brought a slice of Zombie’s oddball horror universe to the set, before moving into “More Human Than Human,” another White Zombie track that revved up the audience. The groove-laden rhythm and grungy guitar work from returning axman Mike Riggs were instantly recognizable while Zombie’s performance maintained the relentless pace.
“Living Dead Girl,” another of Zombie’s biggest hits, brought back that perfect balance of horror and rock. The night closed with a trio of heavy hitters: “Thunder Kiss ’65,” another White Zombie classic, and “Dragula.” The final song, “Dragula,” was perhaps the most anticipated of the night. Its pounding industrial beat and larger-than-life chorus sent the crowd into a frenzy, a perfect close to Zombie’s set.
The pairing of Alice Cooper and Rob Zombie on the Freaks on Parade tour brought together two very distinct sounds and eras of rock, but the common thread of theatricality and a love of the macabre made for a cohesive, thrilling show. Cooper’s classic rock set, filled with deep cuts and fan favorites, balanced well against Zombie’s relentless industrial metal. Together, they delivered a night that celebrated both nostalgia and forward-thinking, genre-bending creativity, just what the age diverse fans who packed into Pine Knob wanted.
Alice Cooper Photo Gallery
Rob Zombie Photo Gallery
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