Concert review: Alice Cooper | 08.23.25, The Factory (with photo gallery)

Photo of Alice Cooper by Michael O’Connor

The Factory fails to disappoint, this time hosting the legendary Alice Cooper. With a catalog hailing from the 1970s, Cooper’s set was able to perfectly embody his stage- and songcraft that have been celebrated in rock history for decades. Despite St. Louis having a packed concert calendar on this particular Saturday night, The Factory had almost every seat taken in the facility.

The opening of his performance was enacted by two figures with plague masks from opposite ends of the stage walking in sync and ringing bells, as a massive WANTED poster lit up behind them. Alice’s name was blazed along the top, with the ominous words “Trial Set: For Deeds Against Humanity.” Cooper cut a line through the sheet and stepped through, bathing in the cheers and praise from the audience.

What sets Cooper apart is the way he channels decades of rock history into his performance. He’s performing songs, but also wielding a sword one moment, staring into the eyes of the crowd with his black eyeliner in another, and then disappearing only to reemerge in yet another iconic outfit. His presence is unmistakably his own, and I could feel the weight of his legacy not only through his music, but the reaction of the crowd as well, a truly powerful experience.

One of the highlights of the show was when a fake photographer burst on stage for the track “Hey, Stupid.” After antagonizing Cooper and other band members, Alice took the microphone stand and mimed stabbing him in the stomach with it, with the photographer then being dragged offstage. It was dark and theatrical moments like these scattered throughout his performance that really made it unique.

After almost 60 years of performing, Alice Cooper remains a master showman and artist. With his command of the stage, iconic music, and connection with his fans, I can confidently say that he’s been one of my favorites shows to see all summer. | Michael O’Connor