USA - Alice Cooper brought his theatrical shock rock show to fans worldwide, powered by a full JBL Professional VTX rig supplied by longtime production partner SLS Production Services. The Too Close for Comfort tour just completed its second year with nearly 200 shows, and required a system that could adapt to everything from large amphitheatres to historic theatres.
The touring rig featured JBL VTX A12 line array loudspeakers for mains and side-hangs, VTX A8 speakers for fills, and VTX B18, B28 and G28 subwoofers to deliver low end. The rig also included JBL VTX M20 stage monitors. Power is supplied by Crown I-Tech HD 4x3500HD amplifiers, with JBL Performance Manager software enabling fast deployment and tuning from city to city.
Systems engineer Todd Hartman emphasised the importance of flexibility on a tour that shifted daily between venue types including theatres with tricky balconies. “The VTX system gave us the versatility to cover every configuration without changing boxes. Add that to how compact the rig is, we fit audio, lighting, video, backline and set into just three trucks. It was a game changer for this tour.”
That efficiency translated into valuable time saved during load-in and load-out. Stagehands commented on how quickly the rig flew and came down. The compact footprint also meant the full PA and control package occupied just 27ft of truck space, critical for keeping the tour lean while still delivering full-scale production.
Recent shows have underscored the system’s performance and adaptability. At Omaha’s steeply tiered theatre, the crew used reverse frame deployment to reach the upper balconies while maintaining coverage under the overhangs - an achievement that stood out after playing a venue with a different in-house system the night before. “The difference was huge,” Hartman recalled. “The JBL VTX really shined in that room, hitting every seat with clarity and impact. It was night and day compared to what we had experienced with the other system.”
The tour also marked the first use of JBL VTX M20 wedges for drummer Glen Sobel, who praised the new monitors for their clarity and power alongside his in-ear mix.