Mӧtley Crϋe The Final Tour

Mӧtley Crϋe, Alice Cooper and The 100

Manchester Arena

November 3rd, 2015

On the 28th January 2014, Mӧtley Crϋe shocked the rock world by announcing their final tour and were the first band in history to sign a 'cessation of touring' contract confirming that Mӧtley Crϋe would not be undertaking any more tours after 2015. 

Although this does not mean the end of Mӧtley Crϋe as the contract allows them to make studio albums, it did mean that fans worldwide only had a few more chances to see them play live.

The band decided that if they were to cease touring (attributed to Mick Mars ongoing health problems), it was only fair to give the fans that have supported them throughout their 34 year long career one last chance to see them, and so they have embarked on an 18 month long world tour, playing shows in all of the cities that mean something to them.

The tour started in Michigan on July 2nd 2014 and will end at the Staples Centre in Los Angeles on December 31st, 2015.

This week they are in the UK playing Newcastle, Manchester, Birmingham and London, and last night (thanks to an early Christmas present from our friend) we got the chance to go to the Manchester show.

When we entered the arena the first thing we saw was the huge track for Tommy Lee's famous drum coaster. The track stretched right across the front section of the standing area to a platform about two thirds of the way across the standing area. Just the sight if this structure alone told you that it was going to be a very special night. 

Opening the night were London band The 100, who played a very energetic set of original songs.  Their style reminded me of Enter Shikari with undertones of metal.  Unfortunately as people had come to see the other two bands on tonight's bill the lead vocalists attempts to get the crowd jumping fell flat.

They did however play a song called 'Downfall' that I really enjoyed and had they been supporting a lesser know tour they would probably have gone down a storm.

Alice Cooper however, had no problem getting the crowd going!  Cooper hit the stage amongst a shower of sparks and continued to dazzle his audience throughout his set. 

He played a fabulous set of crowd pleasers including 'No More Mr Nice Guy',' Billion Dollar Babies', 'Poison', 'Feed My Frankenstein' and 'I love the Dead'. 

Anyone who has seen Cooper before will know that he has his own personal style and doesn't just sing songs, he tells a story with them. From the incarnation of Frankenstein to his spiral into madness and final beheading the songs never stop and neither does the pace. 

I have never seen a support act bring a full headline set before and Cooper does not travel lightly. From the macabre doll heads that decorate the set to the 7 foot Frankenstein, the electric chair, guillotine and even a live snake, Cooper really pulls out all the stops. He also brings enough pyrotechnics to raze the arena to the ground and that's before we get on to his impressive collection of swords.

Alice Cooper also likes to get the crowd involved, whether he is throwing dollar bills, fake pearls or giant balloons into the pit there is always a reason not to take your eyes off him.

Alice Cooper finished his set with one of his most famous songs, 'Schools Out',  which had the whole arena joining in and bouncing, whilst being showered with bubbles.

I've enjoyed watching and listening to Alice Cooper for years and have seen him live quite a few times. The thing I always forget is his age.  Last night, at 67 years young,  Alice Cooper proved that he can give any of the younger bands and performers a run for their money as his endless energy and charisma shone through throughout his performance. 

There are many elements of his performance that people find bizarre when you describe them as you wouldn't expect swords, snakes, a guillotine, bubbles and balloons to fit together but somehow he has managed to make it work, and it obviously does as Alice Cooper has been entertaining people for over forty years.  It is easy to see how he has managed to sustain his career in such a fickle industry.   Each time I see him he manages to amaze me and tonight was no different.

Headliners Mӧtley Crϋe have also earned their crown at the top of their game and after 34 years of entertaining rock fans all over the world we knew that tonight's show was going to be something very special.

Not ones to be understated Mӧtley Crϋe kicked their set off with 'Girls Girls Girls' and enough pyrotechnics to wipe out half of Manchester, before driving on with a fully packed set of crowd pleasers,  old favourites and a crafty cover song.

Their set included 'Wild Side',' Same Ol' Situation', 'Don't Go Away Mad (Just Go Away)', Smokin' In the Boys Room', 'Shout At The Devil' and 'Dr Feelgood'. 

Every song was delivered with full power and full on showmanship and really got the crowd going. 

Not to be outdone by their touring Buddy Alice Cooper, Mӧtley Crϋe also brought their A game and whether it was Nikki Sixx's flame throwing bass guitar or the colour changing light show on Tommy Lee's drum kit, there was always something going on.

Nikki Sixx took the time to have a little heart to heart and pep talk with the audience telling us to work hard and never give up on our dreams. He also made a personal thanks to the audience for believing in them, being loyal to them  and allowing them to live their dream.

Tommy Lee's spot light time came in the form of a drum solo, which was no ordinary solo. It had the usual aspects of a drum solo such as the backing music and stick twirling, however this one was performed on his drum coaster. Tommy's kit was set up on a platform which moved along the suspended track while he played.  However, it also rotated while it was moving meaning that he was in constant motion while he played and quite often upside down.  (Click here to watch the video footage:  https://youtu.be/XX5Dj0eNxf4  )

Mick Mars also got his moment in the spot light for his guitar solo and really show cased his skills.

During the set Crϋe also managed to sneak in a cover version of the Sex Pistols 'Anarchy In The UK' which had men dressed in orange boiler suits squirting the front rows of the crowd with water pistols.

Ending with my personal favourite 'Kick Start My Heart', Mӧtley Crϋe really ended their show with a bang.....  quite literally! 

During the song suspended platforms dropped down from the ceiling of the arena and took Vince Neil and Nikki Sixx out over the audience where they finished the song.  By this point the atmosphere in the arena was electric and everyone was on their feet and singing along.  The song was brought to an explosive conclusion with more pyrotechnics, flame cannons and streamers which dropped from the ceiling, before Sixx and Neil were taken back t the stage where they took their final bows and the lights went out. (You can watch it here:   https://youtu.be/pBXVrEb9Iec )

It didn't end there though.  Torch lights were seen at the back of the arena and when the lights went up the foursome appeared on the platform in the middle of the crowd for one last song.  Their last song was, quite aptly, 'Home Sweet Home'.  This is a beautiful song at the best of times and with the knowledge that this was one of their final shows it had a bittersweet edge to it, which brought a lump to this fan girls throat and gave me severe goose bumps. 

The whole show blew me away and I found myself completely transfixed on the stage to the point where I was completely unaware of anything but what was happening in front of me.

I'm so glad that I got to experience Mӧtley Crϋe one last time before they bow out of touring. It is a night that I will never forget and even though I will never have the chance to see them again, their songs will always be their legacy and will continue to be played for generations. 

Mӧtley Crϋe certainly know how to start the party and go out with a bang!