September 2, 2023 – Wells Fargo Arena – Des Moines, IA

On Saturday night September 2, 2023, Rob Zombie and Alice Cooper brought their 2023 Freaks On Parade tour to the Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, Iowa, and it was a night to remember!

The festivities kicked off with Filter, an Ohio band formed in 1993.  The band consists of Richard Patrick, Jonathan Radtke, Bobby Miller, and Elias Mallin, and has over 1.7 million monthly listeners on Spotify.

Patrick’s distinct voice sounded as awesome as ever as the band kicked off the evening with their six-song set that included their smash hits, “Take a Picture” and “Hey Man Nice Shot.”  Filter was a great addition to the Freaks On Parade lineup, and provided the crowd with an energetic performance that set the tone for the rest of the night.

Next to the stage was Ministry, an industrial metal band founded in Chicago, Illinois in 1981.  These guys have been rocking for over three decades, and they don’t show any signs of slowing down any time soon.  Their nine-song set included fan favorites like, “Thieves,” “N.W.O.,” and “Just One Fix.”

The band has over 761 thousand monthly listeners on Spotify, and their latest single, which closed out their set, “Goddamn White Trash” is a banger!

After a brief intermission, it was time for the legendary Alice Cooper!

The legendary shock rocker, took Des Moines by storm with a set that electrified the crowd and proved once again why he’s an enduring icon in the world of rock and roll.

From the moment the custom curtain designed to look like a Des Moines newspaper split open, the audience was plunged into a world of macabre theatrics and high-octane rock and roll.

The setlist for the evening was a well-balanced mix of Cooper’s classic hits and some newer material, showcasing his ability to evolve while staying true to his roots. “School’s Out,” “No More Mr. Nice Guy,” and “Poison” had the crowd singing along at the top of their lungs, while tracks from his latest album, “Road,” demonstrated Cooper’s continued creativity and relevance.

What sets Alice Cooper apart from other rock performers is his theatricality, and this show was no exception. His costume changes, his stage props, and his interactions with the audience were both humorous and endearing. The guillotine, the giant zombie, and the infamous snake made appearances, keeping the crowd on the edge of their seats.

Alice’s band, featuring the talented Nita Strauss on guitar, Chuck Garric on bass, Glen Sobel on drums, and Tommy Henriksen on guitar and vocals, was on fire throughout the night. They delivered tight, powerful performances that complemented Cooper’s stage presence perfectly.

As his set drew to a close, Alice Cooper’s energy never waned. The encore featured “School’s Out,” and the crowd erupted with enthusiasm. Alice, now drenched in sweat and with his makeup slightly smudged, continued to command the stage with charisma and passion.

This was a huge bucket list experience for me, and I’m so thankful I had the chance to cover this show.  Alice Cooper proved once again that he is a master showman and a true rock legend. If you ever get the chance to see him live, don’t miss it. You’ll witness a spectacle that transcends generations and leaves you wanting more!

After a brief intermission, it was time for the headliner of the evening, Rob Zombie!

With his signature blend of heavy metal, shock rock, and horror aesthetics, Zombie delivered a performance that thrilled, horrified, and rocked the crowd to its core.

From the moment the curtains parted, revealing a stage adorned with eerie carnival props and a huge platform, the audience knew they were in for an unforgettable experience.

Rob Zombie emerged atop the platform in all his macabre glory, resplendent in his larger-than-life persona, a living embodiment of a horror film character.

The concert was a relentless onslaught of sensory stimulation, with every song accompanied by mind-bending visuals, pyrotechnics, and unsettling imagery. Songs like “Living Dead Girl,” “Dragula,” and “Superbeast” had the crowd headbanging and singing along with fervor, while the eerie and often disturbing video projections on the massive screens added an extra layer of intensity to the performance.

Zombie’s band, including guitarist Mike Riggs, bassist Piggy D, and drummer Ginger Fish, were in top form, delivering a powerful, tight sound that complemented Zombie’s manic energy. The chemistry among the band members was palpable, and they effortlessly brought Zombie’s dark visions to life on stage.

The concert featured several nods to classic horror films, with Zombie’s love for the genre shining through. Clips from cult classics like “House of 1000 Corpses” and “The Devil’s Rejects” played on the screens, immersing the audience in a cinematic nightmare.

With yet another bucket list item to check off my list, Rob Zombie’s concert in Des Moines was a masterclass in shock rock and a testament to his enduring ability to create a sensory overload that both terrifies and thrills. It was a nightmarish journey into the depths of horror and rock and roll, leaving the audience exhilarated and craving more.

If you’re a fan of the macabre, a Rob Zombie concert is an experience you won’t want to miss. It’s a celebration of all things dark, twisted, and undeniably entertaining!

Alice Cooper Setlist:

• Lock Me Up
• No More Mr. Nice Guy
• I’m Eighteen
• Under My Wheels
• Billion Dollar Babies
• Hey Stoopid
• Lost in America
• Snakebite
• Feed My Frankenstein
• Poison
• The Black Widow Video Segment
• Guitar Solo from Nita Strauss
• Black Widow Jam
• Ballad of Dwight Fry
• Killer
• I Love the Dead
• Elected
• School’s Out

Rob Zombie Setlist:

• The Triumph of King Freak
• Dead City Radio and the New Gods of Supertown
• Feel So Numb
• Well, Everybody’s Fucking in a U.F.O.
• What Lurks on Channel X?
• Superbeast
• Demonoid Phenomenon
• The Lords of Salem
• House of 1000 Corpses
• Drum Solo
• Living Dead Girl
• More Human Than Human
• Thunder Kiss ‘65
• House of 1000 Corpses Re-Release Trailer
• Dragula