Alice Cooper: A Paranormal Evening at the Olympia Paris

On the evening of December 7th, 2017, at the historic Olympia in Paris, Alice Cooper and his band took to the stage for a performance that would electrify the audience and leave a lasting impression on anyone in attendance. This electrifying 90-minute rock show was captured on film and would soon become a testament to Alice Cooper's enduring power as a musician and a master showman. From the opening notes of "Dirt" from his 1970 album of the same name, it was clear that the audience was in for a wild ride as Alice Cooper delved into his vast and storied catalog of songs. The setlist was expertly curated to showcase a mix of his most iconic hits, as well as some lesser-known gems that would surely delight the ardent Alice Cooper fan. As Cooper and his band tore through the set, it became evident that they were on a mission to push the limits of what was possible in a live performance. With razor-sharp precision and a seemingly endless supply of energy, they careened from song to song, each one showcasing Cooper's unique blend of the macabre and the theatrical. One of the highlights of the performance was Cooper's ability to seamlessly blend his classic hits with more recent material from his "Paranormal" world tour. The result was a cohesive and captivating set that showed just how much mileage Cooper still had left in his storied career. Standout tracks from his latest album, such as "Paranoiac Personality," "Caffeine," and "No More Mr. Nice Guy," were all given their just dues, and it was clear that the audience was fully invested in the performance. Of course, no Alice Cooper show would be complete without a healthy dose of theatrics, and on this evening in Paris, Cooper did not disappoint. With his signature charm and charisma, he regaled the audience with tales of his past glories and eccentricities, and his stage presence was as electrifying as ever. The addition of his band, which included the veteran guitarist Ryan Roxie and the bassist Chuck Garric, added an extra layer of depth to the performance, as the music itself was just as important as Cooper's larger-than-life personality. As the setlist moved along, Cooper and his band began to dig deeper into his catalog, unearthing forgotten treasures like "Billion Dollar Babies" and "Escape." These songs, often overlooked in favor of his more popular hits, were given new life on this evening, and it was inspiring to see just how well they translated to the live setting. One of the most striking aspects of Alice Cooper's live performances is his ability to balance light and darkness. On the one hand, he has always been a proponent of the outrageous and the unapologetic, pushing the boundaries of what is acceptable in popular music. On the other, he has also shown a deep affinity for the surreal and the absurd, often incorporating elements of theater and pantomime into his shows. On this particular evening, Cooper skillfully walked this fine line, oscillating between moments of pure chaos and others of quiet introspection. As the night wore on, Cooper and his band continued to push the tempo forward, hurtling through classics like "Is It My Body," "Guilty," and "School's Out," each one more frenetic than the last. And yet, even as the music reached a fever pitch, Cooper remained a steady presence at the center of it all, his eyes locked intently on the audience as he barked and bellowed his way through the set. Throughout the performance, Cooper's voice remained remarkable for its range and expressiveness, effortlessly switching from a gravelly growl to a soaring falsetto as he sang his way through the night's setlist. This, too, was a testament to Cooper's enduring power as a performer, and a reminder of why he has been a beloved fixture in the world of rock music for so very long. As the night drew to a close, Cooper and his band launched into the iconic "School's Out" anthem, which served as the perfect sendoff to a truly unforgettable evening. With the Olympia audience waving farewell and cheering wildly, Cooper took his final bow, his bandmates at his side, as the curtain closed on one of the most electrifying Alice Cooper performances in years. It was a night to remember, and one that will surely be recalled by those who were fortunate enough to be in attendance as a true masterclass in rock music performance. As Alice Cooper himself would surely attest, the power of rock music lies not just in its sound, but in its ability to create a shared experience among those who come together to enjoy it. On this evening, in the historic Olympia in Paris, that experience was as vibrant and as alive as ever, a testament to Cooper's enduring status as one of the most vital and beloved figures in rock music today.