In preparation for my first time seeing Marilyn Manson live I thought it wise to do some research. What is about this guy that I love and hate. I have come to the conclusion that I love his videos, I hate his speaking voice and I'm pretty lukewarm on his music. A live show will once and for all determine if I am actually a fan or if he just gives good vid.
The 44 year old Mason is a long way from Ohio and after being called everything from the anti Christ to the cause of child suicide he soldiers on with the same schtick and his fans are loyal and strong. Despite a personal life that seems riddled in disappointment Mansons music is never the sit down and sob over it but rather a true anger and power that can only be born in the brain of a lunatic. Three cheers for those by the way, its not a negative. I had wanted to go to this show and love him without the stop animation and Instagram haze and appreciate him for being a musician and a performer.
The problem with this is I ended up with an ass kicking case of the flu, but there was no way I would let the opportunity to review a Manson show pass so I rallied up my crew and sent them out to cover it for me. I can tell by this excellent video that I didn't miss much. Manson doesn't come with props and filters. Instead the house goes dark after songs and the back drops change. Also, his microphone changes from a knife (which he stabbed a beer can with to prove its authenticity) to a facade of knuckles. The backdrop and costume changes being the only enhancement to Mansons vocals and 'awesome' metal band.
Although I don't have the set list it seems to me the entire tour is scripted with tunes in the same order. Stand out performances were Manson dressed as the pope singing "Personal Jesus" with drum beats that were so 'badass' the entire crowd was bouncing in time. Bouncing? Is the pogo back or is it just confusion on how to dance to horror disco?
Not sure but the balance of this entire show was the diversity of the crowd. Parents with their kids together in a dark environment made an interesting dynamic. The Goths were there in full force but so were the soccer moms.
Oh but hang on there were theatrics, Manson winging a birthday cake into the middle of the crowd at one point and the mulit colored confetti, laser gloves that were ala Freddy Krueger, dropping the mic three times and whipping a tie into the crowd (say what?). Proving that Manson may not need the video edit after all. He provided a solid show with great sound and enough theatric to keep everyone just slightly uncomfortable.
General consensus Grade B+