Hollywood Vampires – Live Review – Scarborough Open Air Theatre

The spine-tingling electrical charge in Scarborough tonight would have brought Frankenstein’s monster back to life. It was so palpable. With a whiff of graveyard dirt and whisky breath, the undead line-up stirred in the wings. Fans piled into the arena for tonight’s sold-out show.

The Damned supported this evening. Whilst headliners in their own right, they put on an energy-filled set. It blistered through their greatest hits to set the vibe. The band members are around seventy years old. Yet, they command a stage with huge gusto. It makes you wonder if hanging around vampires keeps you young.

I could have gone home satisfied after The Damned’s set alone. However, something darker was stirring. The creatures of the night slunk onto the stage to rapturous applause. You knew from the outset this was no ordinary gig. It was going to be a séance with amplifiers!

“Pure indulgence”

The voice of Dracula and his ‘children of the night’ speech fills the air. Giant bloody fangs descend above the stage. As the last wolf howls, they sink their teeth into ‘I Want My Now’ and ‘Raise the Dead’. These tracks were pure indulgence, turned up to eleven. The Hollywood Vampires had nothing to prove – they simply gave their all in a curated celebration of rock music.

Alice Cooper commands the stage with his usual theatrics and props. They grind through one of his most famous tunes, ‘I’m Eighteen’. It remains as packed with angst as it was in 1970. The message within is still poignant, and the head vampire delivered a flawless performance.

‘My Dead Drunk Friends’ was a standout song tonight. It is a tribute to Alice’s former Hollywood Vampires drinking buddies. It is rowdy, grungy, and creeps up on you like single malt, leaving you intoxicated.

“Full-throttle”

There is little banter between band and crowd, except for a few sharp one-liners. That is because they pack over twenty songs into the set list, back-to-back and full throttle.

Staying with Alice for the next track, ‘The Boogieman Surprise’, he delivers the vocals with precision and humour. This is set against stomping beats and fluid blues licks from Joe Perry and bassist Chris Wyse.

Alice introduced the next vampire. Johnny Depp reluctantly takes centre mic to let his boss take a breather, and the venue erupts. Flashing a coy smile, he delivered a dark version of The Velvet Underground’s ‘Venus in Furs’. Cooper then rejoined him on ‘People Who Died’. Alice demanded noise for the departed, and the crowd obliged. The tribute montage grows longer each year. Naturally, the loudest roars came for Jeff Beck and Ozzy. It is a punk-fuelled track packed with raw energy.

“Heavy licks”

The next Vampire needed no introduction. Aerosmith’s Joe Perry emotively performs ‘You Can’t Put Your Arms Around a Memory’, dedicated to Johnny Thunders. The slower pace offered a welcome breather from the high-octane set. Perry navigated the fretboard with ease, spilling out the trademark blues infusion he has owned since the ’70s.

Chris Wyse steps up for one of the best bass solos I have heard in years. With heavy licks and a pounding rhythm, he pulled unbelievable sounds from his instrument. This led into ‘Who’s Laughing Now’, my standout tune of the night. Its fuzzed-out riffs and the demanding drum pulse from Glen Sobel will eat you alive.

It is deep and dirty. Depp’s sultry vocals perfectly complement Alice Cooper’s rasping delivery.

The band may release new material at a glacial pace, but live they deliver classic rock at a blistering stride. There is no rest for the wicked as they launch into Aerosmith’s ‘Livin’ on the Edge’. Cooper takes lead vocals. As a Steven Tyler fan, I feel Cooper’s version brings an exciting, dark perspective.

“Vocal majesty”

Approaching the halfway mark, the band kicked into another gear. The iconic synth intro of The Who’s ‘Baba O’Riley’ flooded the crowd. Dedicated to Keith Moon and John Entwistle, the driving drums punched the air. Cooper delivered vocal majesty on every word, creating a breathtaking moment.

They tore into another Aerosmith track, ‘Bright Light Fright’. Joe Perry and Tommy Henriksen played out of their skins. They then honoured bandmate Jeff Beck with 1967’s ‘Beck’s Bolero’. Screen images of the late guitarist made it clear how deeply he is missed.

Their cover of ‘Roadhouse Blues’ was flawless. Alice joked that he wondered how Jim Morrison reached 27 with his drinking habits. Cooper prowled with voodoo maracas like a shamanic medicine man. With a vocal changer, Depp knocked Killing Joke’s ‘The Death and Resurrection Show’ out of the park, before delivering Bowie’s ‘Heroes’.

Tommy Henriksen chatted with the crowd next. He explained that without Malcolm Young, he would not be playing with Alice Cooper today.

‘Highway to Hell’ was unbelievable and just what the crowd wanted. Henriksen’s lead vocals are a powerful force, matching his brilliant guitar work.

“The spirit of rock ‘n’ roll”

Cooper delivered a cheeky take on ‘Walk This Way’. Watching Joe Perry in full flow is mesmerising. They closed the main set with a medley of ‘School’s Out’ and ‘Another Brick in the Wall’. Giant balloons bounced across raised hands until Alice gleefully popped them with his cane, before slipping off stage.

The encore came quickly to an ungodly roar. Alice introduced ‘The Train Kept A-Rollin” as a track by The Yardbirds. The band slayed it. Spurred on by the crowd, they stayed on stage for one more.

‘Hi-Ho Silver Lining’, made famous by Jeff Beck, brought the night to a close. Chants of “More!” echoed around the arena as the Vampires took their bows and disappeared into the night.

While the set list changes little, The Hollywood Vampires embody the spirit of rock ‘n’ roll. The show enjoys a passionate, cult-like following.

Their chemistry is undeniable. They deliver a thrilling ride that feels nostalgic yet fresh. It is a brilliant reminder that great rock music is timeless.