Hollywood Vampires / Utilita Arena / Birmingham

Aug 21

Aug 21 Hollywood Vampires / Utilita Arena / Birmingham

I have to admit, I’m not generally a fan of the supergroup concept with bands like the Travelling Wilburys, Them Crooked Crows and Black Country Communion. But our motto is ‘bringing new music to new audiences’ so we’ll give it a go. So tonight we headed over to Birmingham to catch perhaps the biggest rock supergroup of them all, the Hollywood Vampires. Named after the drinking club formed by Alice Cooper in the 70s frequented by the likes of John Lennon, Micky Dolenz, Keith Moon, Bernie Taupin and John Belushi. Horror rock legend Cooper takes on the role as main vocalist and is joined by Joe Perry (Aerosmith), Tommy Henriksen (Alice Cooper and Warlock) and Johnny Depp.

But first up, in support is a real nice surprise, the Jesus and Mary Chain. It just seemed an odd choice as the support for Hollywood Vampires, but a very welcome one, one of my favourite bands from the ‘80s and a major influence on my personal music journey.

Formed by brothers Jim and William Reid, they rose to fame in 1985 with the release of their debut album “Psychocandy”. A striking visual, dressed all in black, with big hair and static their sound was huge, rammed full of distortion and feedback. They released six albums before disbanding in 1999, reforming in 2007, going on to release two more albums, 2017’s “Damage and Joy” and 2024’s magnificent “Glasgow Eyes”.

Is the first time I’ve seen them perform in an arena, and what an experience it is. Behind them on the screen their name in big bold letters leaves no one in doubt of who’s on stage lol. The lighting is suitably dark, changing from rich reds, to moody blues and atmospheric greens. William Reid, still with a big bushy hairdo lurks to the side on guitar, that iconic rumbling reverb filled distorted sound still central to their style, as younger brother Jim takes on vocal duties.

It’s dark, it’s loud and has an ambient edge to it. Classic hits such as April Skies, Just Like Honey and the brilliant Some Candy Talking go down a treat with the crowd, whilst the newer material from the likes of 2024’s “Glasgow Eyes” such as opener Jamcod and Venal Joy retain that classic sound but show how the band have developed and changed over the years.

A fabulous set (I would say that wouldn’t I lol) shows that a band like the Jesus and Mary Chain are timeless, sounding just as good today as they did years ago.

Setlist

Jamcod

April Skies

Head On

All Things Must Pass

Some Candy Talking

Venal Joy (With Simone Marie Butler)

Blues From a Gun

In a Hole

Cracking Up

Between Planets

Sometimes Always (With Simone Marie Butler)

Just Like Honey (With Simone Marie Butler)

Reverence

There’s a real buzz in the arena around the Utilita Arena, as the crowd await their heroes on to the stage. The lights dim and the crowd erupts as one by one, Depp, Cooper, Perry, Henriksen and the rest of the band step into the limelight.

The set is a mix of their own material, covers from their own projects (Cooper and Aerosmith) as well as covers of other well known artists. They start off with two of their own in I Want My Now and Raise the Dead. It’s incredible really that at 78, Cooper is still full of beans and struts his stuff round the stage, swinging his iconic cane as he sings, as is Joe Perry who delivers some impressive riffs.

As well as Cooper on vocals, Depp, Perry and Henriksen all take turns. Joe provides the vocals on Aerosmith covers Livin' on the Edge and Bright Light Fright as well as on the Johnny Thunders cover You Can't Put Your Arms Round a Memory, and he does a stellar job.

But perhaps what most folk are here for is to see Johnny Depp, and he steps up to the mic for Venus in Furs (The Velvet Underground), People Who Died (The Jim Carroll Band cover), The Death and Resurrection Show (Killing Joke cover) the David Bowie classic hit Heroes. I think the choice of bands (Killing Joke & Bowie) are a great fit for Depp, he makes the songs his own and his particular vocal style gives them a unique, and thoroughly enjoyable style.

Even the Doors make an appearance with Roadhouse Blues which gets a great reception from the Birmingham crowd. Not to be missed out Henriksen does a fine job delivering the vocals for a rousing version of AC/DC’s classic hit Highway to Hell, which has everyone on their feet singing along.

As the main sets draws to a close, the crowd enjoy Alice Cooper’s own classic hit School's Out which merges into the Pink Floyd hit Another Brick in the Wall. The crowd are on their feet and cheering as they walk off the stage. The chants start, and don’t look like stopping, and after a pause, to huge cheers they return to the stage.

First up is The Train Kept A-Rollin' (Tiny Bradshaw cover) and they end on a locally contraverial note, with the Jeff Beck hit Hi Ho Silver Lining, a well known it round these parts, popular with the fans of Wolverhampton Wanderers, probably much to the dismay of the Villa and Blues fans in attendance (I loved it lol).

The cheers, the screams, the shouts told you everything you needed to know, the Hollywood Vampires owned the Utilita Arena tonight. Had it changed my mind about super groups ? Well…… maybe… a bit… lol. Cooper, Depp, Perry and Henriksen are seasoned pros, and deliver a top notch performance every time they step onto a stage. I actually really enjoyed their performance, the choice of covers was (personally) really good, and the highlight had to be Depp’s rendition of Heroes. Add in the masters of feedback that are the Jesus and Marychain, and it was a thoroughly enjoyable night, and highly recommended.

Setlist

I Want My Now

Raise the Dead

I'm Eighteen (Alice Cooper cover)

My Dead Drunk Friends

The Boogieman Surprise

Venus in Furs (The Velvet Underground cover) (Lead vocals: Johnny Depp)

People Who Died (The Jim Carroll Band cover) (Lead vocals: Johnny Depp)

You Can't Put Your Arms Round a Memory (Johnny Thunders cover) (Lead vocals: Joe Perry)

Who's Laughing Now

Livin' on the Edge (Aerosmith cover)

Baba O'Riley (The Who cover)