STURGIS, SD – Under a full moon, the industrial rocker Marilyn Manson commanded the stage at the Sturgis Buffalo Chip last night, delivering a performance that showcased his enduring presence in the world of heavy music. He kicked off his set with a series of heavy, “four on the floor” drum-driven songs, his distinctive figure clad in tall black platform boots, long black gloves, a sleeveless black shirt revealing tattooed arms, and at times a boiler hat or a military-style hat. Manson moved around the stage, holding the mic stand, dropping to one knee, and performing an odd, bird-like hand-flapping dance that only he can pull off.
His band, featuring Tyler Bates(guitar), Gil Sharone(drums), Piggy D(bass), and Reba Meyers(guitar), was exciting to watch. Meyers, in particular, was a dynamic presence, whipping her hair around as she played. The stage was set with seven inverted double-cross lights, and the backdrops changed from a tree to “MM” to his logo on an American flag. Giant guessers went off at times and the light show set impressive scenes.
Known for his stage antics, the 90s shock icon stayed relatively reserved, but still connected with the crowd. At one point, he yelled out, “Sturgis. I f***ng love you.” He also spoke briefly about his addiction to cocaine, before declaring, “My name is Marilyn Manson and I’m a drug addict,” and then launching into his 1998 hit, “The Dope Show.”
The setlist, which included fan favorites like “Disposable Teens” and “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This),” showcased the variety in his music. The songs ranged from driving industrial rock with heavy kick drums and synth-sounding guitars to tracks with beefy-sounding guitars and a sexy-groove drum and bass feel. Manson’s vocals, not known for melody, were equally dynamic, switching between a low register reminiscent of Type O-Negative, a whisper-singing voice, and full-on screaming.
To a sea of people and revving motorcycles, Manson screamed, “Let me hear it roar,” and then, “How does it feel to be the beautiful people?” before kicking into his final number, “The Beautiful People.” He encored with a cover of Phil Collins’ “In the Air Tonight.”
For anyone looking for a heavy metal or hard-sounding show, this was a great one to attend. If you were looking for melodic sing-a-long songs, or can’t stand the sound of screaming or low end punching you in the gut, this wasn’t for you. While it may have been 20 years since his last major hit, thanks to his trademark ghoulish makeup, Manson looks and sounds just the same as ever.
Setlist:
- Nod If You Understand
- Disposable Teens
- Angels with the Scabbed Wings
- Tourniquet
- Sacrilegious
- This Is the New Shit
- mOBSCENE
- Long Hard Road Out of Hell
- As Sick as the Secrets Within
- The Dope Show
- Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)
- The Beautiful People
- Encore: In The Air Tonight