Alice Cooper finishes spring tour with lighting production by Bandit Lites

Alice Cooper completed his Alice’s Attic Spring Tour at the annual MMRBQ in Camden, New Jersey on May 9, put together by 93.3 WMMR at Freedom Mortgage Pavilion. Bandit Lites played a significant role in supplying the production lighting for the tour, showcasing a collaboration with Alice Cooper that stretches back over several decades.

The production was co-designed by Sooner Routhier and Curtis Adams, drawing inspiration from creative conversations with Alice Cooper and his manager Shep Gordon. They aimed to introduce a new podcast called Alice’s Attic and revisit long-requested fan-favorite songs. Routhier emphasized the creative prowess of Cooper and Gordon by mentioning their regular weekly creative meetings to shape a new show.

The stage design incorporated a blend of practical scenic elements alongside a large LED video wall at the rear of the stage. The opening sequence depicted the iconic performer emerging from a giant dusty book amidst fog and lighting effects, staying true to Cooper’s signature style. Adams discussed the fusion of video attic backgrounds with practical foreground sets to blur the line between content and reality, resulting in an immersive show experience.

Chris Noll, the Lighting Director, highlighted the minimalistic power of “The Ballad of Dwight Fry,” with Cooper in a straightjacket illuminated by a solitary Spiider light. On the opposite end of the spectrum, “Brutal Planet” produced an exhilarating visual sequence that showcased seamless timing cues and instrumental solos throughout the performance.

Various visual elements were extracted from an upcoming coffee table book, integrating atmospheric effects, scenic illusions, and cinematic transitions into the show. The production had to be adaptive as it scheduled shows in venues ranging from small theaters to expansive arenas. Jeff Archibeque, the crew chief, alongside techs Isabel Egbert and Zach McQueen, successfully managed the dynamic conditions with only one production day and a rehearsal day before opening night.

Looking ahead, Cooper’s calendar includes more Alice’s Attic shows in Europe and a fall U.S. tour. Furthermore, he is set to tour with Hollywood Vampires featuring Johnny Depp, Joe Perry, and Tommy Henriksen, in addition to embarking on a UK book tour to support his memoir, “Devil On My Shoulder.”