Hollywood Vampires begin European arena tour alongside live album release

The Hollywood Vampires, a rock supergroup featuring Alice Cooper, Joe Perry, and Johnny Depp, will begin their European arena tour at London’s O2 Arena on August 12. The tour coincides with the August 7 release of a live album recorded at the 2018 Montreux Jazz Festival, capitalizing on the band's established catalog and celebrity draw.

For the European live music sector, the tour underscores the ongoing commercial viability of legacy acts and high-profile collaborations. By combining established rock veterans with a major Hollywood film star, the band guarantees significant ticket demand across large-capacity venues, a crucial revenue driver for promoters facing rising operational costs.

Formed in 2012, the group also includes bassist Tommy Henriksen, who serves as the band's musical director. Cooper described the ensemble as the most expensive garage band in the world, adding that the members have not had a single argument in a decade of performing together.

Depp’s involvement provides a significant crossover appeal that extends the market reach beyond traditional rock audiences. Perry noted that while some people in Depp's camp are unhappy about him taking a couple of months out to play music, the actor has always wanted to be in a band and is a great player.

The European dates will feature support from The Jesus and Mary Chain, with The Damned taking the slot at select shows. Cooper defended the eclectic booking, comparing it to the diverse bills of the historic Fillmore venue where entirely different musical worlds shared the stage.

The live entertainment landscape continues to see cross-generational partnerships, as evidenced by Perry’s primary band Aerosmith recently releasing a five-song EP with artist Yungblud. Cooper praised the younger musician's energy, noting that watching him work recalled what it was like to be twenty-seven years old.

Beyond the tour, the band is expanding its revenue streams through archival releases and personal memoirs. The upcoming Montreux release captures a period when the group refined its live show, allowing members to rotate vocal duties and showcase their individual catalogs.

Cooper is also leveraging his personal brand for a UK book tour in October to promote his memoir, Devil On My Shoulder. The musician will be joined by moderator Arthur Brown for four dates, further demonstrating how veteran artists monetize their personal histories in the current cultural economy.