My fourth day at Bluesfest was centered around the arrival of two rock music legends in the nation’s capital. Influential heavy metal juggernauts Iron Maiden made their return to the main stage at Lebreton Flats, bringing along touring partner Alice Cooper to provide some opening entertainment. With both acts being renowned around the world, this was a double-bill not to be missed.
Alice Cooper got things started on the main stage in front of a gigantic crowd, outfitted in a studded leather jacket and wearing his trademark eye makeup. Backed up with three guitarists, a bassist, and a drummer, he made his way through an opening set consisting mostly of traditional hits from his catalogue such as “I’m Eighteen,” “Poison,” and “Billion Dollar Babies.” Always known to have a flair for the dramatic, Cooper’s set was as much a theatre piece as it was a rock concert. During “No More Mr. Nice Guy,” Cooper walked onstage with a live snake around his neck and sang the song with the creature on him.
The song “Feed My Frankenstein” had Cooper dancing around the stage with a gigantic zombie version of himself, while “I Love the Dead” saw his stage hands bring a large guillotine onstage and seemingly decapitate him. Each song also called for a costume change, with attire ranging from other studded clothing to straightjackets.
For his final number, “School’s Out,” Cooper came onstage wearing an Ottawa Senators jersey with the number 18 on the back, and led the crowd in singing along to the rock ‘n’ roll classic. By the end of the set, there was no doubt that Alice Cooper still had it, and was the finest Senator to wear the number eighteen (sorry, Jesse Winchester).
An hour later, it was Iron Maiden’s turn to take the stage. Having seen them at Bluesfest two years ago, I certainly expected another rocking show. Promising a show where they would play more of ‘the hits,’ the band was also celebrating the anniversary of their “Seventh Son of a Seventh Son” album. The band came out strong from the start with “Can I Play With Madness?”, “2 Minutes to Midnight”, and “The Trooper.”
All three of Iron Maiden’s guitarists were perfect, trading off lightning fast guitar solos with ease. Lead vocalist (and qualified opera vocalist and licensed airline pilot) Bruce Dickinson didn’t miss a beat either, leaping around the stage and bringing each piece to life with his incredible vocal range (yes, he can still hit those high notes). An incredible range of pyrotechnics and gigantic robotic band mascots completed yet another exciting performance from Iron Maiden. For a band that has been around as long as they have (since 1975), it’s great knowing that they haven’t slowed down at all.
