Alice Cooper Kicks Off His Big 2026 Tour

Alice Cooper wasted no time reminding audiences why he remains one of rock’s most enduring live performers. Launching his Alice’s Attic Spring 2026 tour at San Antonio’s Majestic Theatre, the shock rock pioneer delivered a tightly choreographed spectacle that emphasized atmosphere, musicianship, and theatrical excess over idle chatter.

The performance struck a balance between nostalgia and reinvention, with Cooper weaving together deep cuts, classic hits, and a modern curveball in the form of Smells Like Teen Spirit—a surprising nod to Nirvana that added a fresh jolt to an otherwise retrospective-heavy set.

A Setlist Rooted in Legacy, With Strategic Surprises

Fresh off a string of Las Vegas shows alongside illusionist Criss Angel, Alice Cooper returned to a familiar touring structure reminiscent of his 2025 run with Judas Priest. He opened with “Who Do You Think We Are” and “Spark in the Dark,” signaling early on that this would be a setlist unafraid to revisit overlooked corners of his catalog.

The show leaned heavily into Cooper’s late-’80s and early-’90s material, particularly selections from Trash and Hey Stoopid, while still giving ample space to staples like “No More Mr. Nice Guy,” “Billion Dollar Babies,” “Muscle of Love,” and “I’m Eighteen.” The inclusion of “Smells Like Teen Spirit” felt less like a gimmick and more like a deliberate bridge between eras—an acknowledgment of rock’s evolving lineage through Cooper’s own theatrical lens.

Theater, Shock, and a Signature Dark Twist

Cooper’s reputation as the “Godfather of Shock Rock” was, as expected, front and center. One of the evening’s most talked-about moments came during “Only Women Bleed,” performed alongside his wife, Sheryl Cooper. What began as a tender duet quickly spiraled into macabre theatrics, culminating in a staged murder and a guillotine execution—complete with Cooper’s severed head held aloft in triumph.

It was a reminder that Cooper’s shows are not merely concerts but fully realized productions, where narrative, horror, and music intertwine. Even decades into his career, his commitment to spectacle remains unwavering, and the audience’s reaction suggested that the formula still lands with visceral impact.

A New Guitarist, A Reinforced Machine

A notable shift in this tour is the addition of guitarist Anna Cara, stepping in for Nita Strauss during her maternity leave. Personally selected by Strauss, Cara integrated seamlessly into the lineup, holding her own alongside veterans Ryan Roxie and Tommy Henriksen.

Her performance combined technical precision with expressive flair, shifting between blues-inflected phrasing and high-octane lead work without disrupting the band’s chemistry. Rather than feeling like a temporary substitute, Cara’s presence injected a subtle sense of renewal into an already polished ensemble.

At 78, Cooper continues to operate with the discipline of a seasoned performer and the imagination of a provocateur who refuses to become predictable. If anything, this latest tour suggests that longevity in rock is no longer just about endurance—it’s about evolution. And Cooper, ever the showman, seems intent on proving that reinvention can coexist with legacy, ensuring his performances remain not just relevant, but essential.

Alice Cooper — April 14, 2026, San Antonio Set List
“Hello, Hooray” (intro only)
1. Who Do You Think We Are” (shortened)
2. “Spark in the Dark”
3. “No More Mr. Nice Guy”
4. “House of Fire”
5. “Billion Dollar Babies”
6. “I’m Eighteen”
7. “Muscle of Love”
8. “Feed My Frankenstein”
9. “Dirty Diamonds”
10. “Caught in a Dream”
11. “Hey Stoopid”
12. “Dangerous Tonight”
13 “Poison”
14. Anna Cara guitar solo
15. “Brutal Planet”
16. “Ballad of Dwight Fry”
17. “Cold Ethyl”
18. “Only Women Bleed”
19. “Second Coming”
20. “Going Home”
21. “School’s Out / Another Brick in the Wall, Part 2”
22. “Smells Like Teen Spirit”
23. “Under My Wheels”