I’ve been to plenty of shows over the years, but nothing quite matches the thrill of an Alice Cooper concert. On October 24, 2014, I finally got to see the master of theatrical rock at the Borgata Event Center in Atlantic City, and it was an experience I’ll be replaying in my mind for a long time. The Borgata is a classy casino venue with a mid-sized hall that somehow manages to feel both big and personal at the same time. As soon as I walked in, I could feel that electric buzz of anticipation that only a veteran like Alice Cooper can generate. This wasn’t just another stop on a nostalgia tour—it was a full-blown rock ‘n’ roll spectacle, and the man himself proved that at 66 years old, he could still command a stage like few others.
The crowd was an interesting mix of lifelong Cooper disciples and curious newcomers. Some were decked out in classic Cooper face paint and leather, while others looked like they had wandered in from the casino floor, drawn by the promise of a wild night. As the house lights dimmed, a roar of excitement swept across the room. Everyone knew they were about to witness a show that blurred the line between rock concert and dark carnival.
Opening with a Grand Welcome
Alice opened with “Hello, Hooray,” the Judy Collins cover that he’s made his own. It’s a perfect opener, with that triumphant “Hello! Hooray! Let the show begin!” serving as both a literal welcome and a sly wink to the audience. The stage lit up in shades of purple and green, and the band kicked into gear with a tight, punchy sound that filled the room. Alice appeared like a gothic ringmaster, decked out in black leather and top hat, his eyes rimmed with the signature raccoon makeup. The cheers were deafening. In that instant, it felt like the entire Borgata was his personal playground.
Without missing a beat, the band launched into “No More Mr. Nice Guy,” one of Cooper’s most enduring anthems. The guitar riffs were crunchy and sharp, and Alice delivered each lyric with playful menace, stalking the stage like a mischievous villain. The crowd shouted back every word, fists pumping in time. From the opening pair of songs, it was clear that this was not going to be a show for sitting down.
The Hits Keep Coming
Next came “Under My Wheels,” a gritty rocker that had the audience on its feet and moving. The dual guitars screamed through the Borgata’s sound system, and the rhythm section kept things tight and driving. Alice, ever the showman, leaned on his mic stand like it was a weapon, sneering through the chorus and playing to every corner of the room.
Then came the first real singalong of the night: “I’m Eighteen.” Even decades after its release, this anthem of teenage frustration still feels alive and relevant. Hearing a room full of fans—from teenagers to retirees—belt out “I’m eighteen and I don’t know what I want!” was pure magic. Alice delivered it with a knowing grin, as if to say, “I’ve been doing this for 40 years and I still get it.”
The energy stayed high with “Billion Dollar Babies,” complete with prop money guns spraying fake bills into the crowd. Alice, dressed in a flashy jacket, waved around a fencing sword loaded with fake cash, taunting the audience like a sinister game show host. The guitars snarled, the bass thumped, and the entire room felt like a decadent celebration of rock excess.
Poison Still Stings
One of the biggest reactions of the night came when the band struck the first notes of “Poison.” This late-’80s hit remains one of Alice’s biggest crossover successes, and the crowd responded with deafening cheers. The Borgata turned into a massive singalong, with every voice rising to meet that iconic chorus. Alice’s voice, a little more gravelly with age but still sharp and commanding, gave the song a darker edge that fit perfectly.
After the slick pop-metal of “Poison,” Alice and his band shifted gears into “Dirty Diamonds,” a more recent track that fits comfortably alongside the classics. Alice prowled the stage, tossing beaded necklaces into the audience like a sinister Mardi Gras king, grinning as fans scrambled to grab them. It was a reminder that his newer material still carries that same swagger and theatrical punch.
Nightmares Come to Life
The stage darkened, and a menacing intro signaled the arrival of “Welcome to My Nightmare.” This was where the full theatrical side of the show really began to shine. The lighting turned eerie, with smoke curling around the stage and dancers in creepy costumes emerging from the shadows. Alice played the part of the twisted nightmare guide to perfection, his voice dripping with menace as he led us deeper into his haunted world.
The nightmare continued with “Feed My Frankenstein,” which brought one of the night’s most outrageous moments. Mid-song, a giant Frankenstein monster puppet—easily ten feet tall—emerged from behind the drum riser, looming over the band as the guitars wailed. The crowd went wild, cameras flashing as the monster staggered around the stage. It was pure Alice Cooper spectacle: campy, scary, and completely unforgettable.
A Dark Descent
After the theatrics of “Frankenstein,” the show took a darker, more theatrical turn with “Ballad of Dwight Fry.” Alice donned a straitjacket, acting out the song’s tale of madness and confinement with chilling precision. He threw himself to the floor, writhing and screaming as the band created a swirling, chaotic backdrop. It was both disturbing and mesmerizing—a reminder that Alice isn’t just a rock singer, but a master storyteller who uses the stage like a twisted theater.
The madness bled into a partial performance of “Killer,” with Alice ultimately led to a mock execution. The infamous guillotine made its appearance, and the audience roared as the executioner prepared the blade. Even though everyone knew what was coming, the spectacle never loses its thrill. When the blade finally dropped and Alice’s “head” fell into the basket, the crowd erupted in cheers and applause. Moments later, as if resurrected, Alice returned for a brief excerpt of “I Love the Dead,” crooning with macabre delight as he cradled his own severed head. It was gruesome, theatrical, and completely hilarious—the essence of Alice Cooper in a single sequence.
A Legendary Finale
With the theatrics complete, it was time for the grand finale. The band launched into “School’s Out,” perhaps Alice’s most beloved anthem, and the Borgata transformed into a full-on party. Giant balloons filled with confetti were batted around the crowd, and everyone screamed along to the immortal chorus. In a clever twist, the band worked a snippet of Pink Floyd’s “Another Brick in the Wall Part 2” into the middle of the song, blending two generations of rebellious rock into one seamless jam. It was a perfect ending, combining joy, chaos, and nostalgia into a single explosive moment.
As the final notes rang out and Alice waved goodbye, the crowd kept cheering long after the band had left the stage. People hugged, high-fived, and gushed about what they’d just witnessed. Even the casual fans looked a little awestruck. Alice Cooper had delivered a master class in how to put on a rock show: tight musicianship, larger-than-life theatrics, and just the right amount of dark humor.
The Band Behind the Madness
While Alice himself is obviously the star, his band deserves enormous credit for making the night so powerful. Guitarists Nita Strauss and Ryan Roxie were a dynamic duo, trading solos and harmonies with effortless chemistry. Strauss, in particular, was a revelation—her fiery playing and charismatic stage presence had the crowd in the palm of her hand. Bassist Chuck Garric and drummer Glen Sobel provided a rock-solid rhythm section, giving the songs the weight and drive they need to fill a room. Together, they were tight, polished, and utterly committed to the performance.
The sound mix at the Borgata was excellent, with every instrument clear and balanced. Alice’s vocals cut through the music with that unmistakable growl, proving that he’s lost none of his power over the decades. Even in the more delicate moments of “Ballad of Dwight Fry,” his voice carried an emotional punch that drew the audience into the story.
Reflections on a Living Legend
Walking out of the Borgata that night, I couldn’t help but marvel at Alice Cooper’s enduring brilliance. Here’s a guy who’s been doing this since the late ’60s, who helped invent the very idea of shock rock, and he’s still out there giving fans everything they could possibly want. Some artists coast on their hits, but Alice reinvents his show every tour, keeping the classics fresh while mixing in surprises and deep cuts.
What struck me most was the balance between darkness and fun. Yes, the show is filled with guillotines, monsters, and songs about nightmares and death—but there’s always a wink behind the horror. Alice knows it’s all theater, and he invites the audience to join in on the joke. It’s scary and funny, heavy and campy, all at once. That ability to walk the line between menace and humor is what makes him so unique.
Seeing Alice Cooper live in 2014 was more than just a trip down memory lane. It was a reminder that rock ‘n’ roll is supposed to be dangerous, thrilling, and a little ridiculous. In an era when so many live shows feel safe and predictable, Alice brought back the sense of danger and spectacle that first made rock exciting. He’s not just a survivor of a bygone era—he’s proof that the spirit of theatrical rock is alive and well.
Final Thoughts
If you ever get the chance to see Alice Cooper in a venue like the Borgata, don’t hesitate. The combination of intimate setting and over-the-top production is unbeatable. You’ll get the hits, the theatrics, the laughs, and the chills—all delivered by one of the greatest showmen rock has ever known.
On October 24, 2014, Alice Cooper turned Atlantic City into his personal nightmare carnival, and for one unforgettable night, we were all willing victims. It wasn’t just a concert; it was an experience, a piece of rock history brought to life. Long live Alice Cooper—the nightmare never ends.
Setlist – Alice Cooper at Borgata Event Center, Atlantic City, NJ – October 24, 2014
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Hello, Hooray (Judy Collins cover)
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No More Mr. Nice Guy
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Under My Wheels
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I’m Eighteen
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Billion Dollar Babies
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Poison
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Dirty Diamonds
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Welcome to My Nightmare
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Feed My Frankenstein
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Ballad of Dwight Fry
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Killer (partial)
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I Love the Dead (excerpt)
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School’s Out (with snippet of “Another Brick in the Wall Part 2”)
That night at the Borgata proved that Alice Cooper is far more than a rock veteran. He’s a master of spectacle, a storyteller, and a living legend who continues to thrill audiences with a show that’s equal parts rock concert, horror movie, and wicked comedy. Over four decades into his career, he still makes every performance feel like an event—and on this October night in Atlantic City, he gave every fan exactly what they came for and more.