Flashing lights. Curtain drop.
Rhythmic bass spiced up by tangible anticipation.
“I need destruction.
I want towers to crumble.”
This was a concert for people who wanted to be there. Intentionally.
Not some weekend passtimers or curious cats. Not the typical Vegas explorers. Not even happy-high genre concert goers who kind of don’t mind who’s performing, but also kind of don’t care.
The people at the Pearl concert theater at Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas made a trip to see Manson. The real Manson. The one who resurrected from being half-dead and took us all on the journey.
“Nod if you understand” was a perfect opener for this set.
As someone who’s seen Manson 5 times at this point, I carry memories of not-so-cheerful past. There were high ends of low, and now the Antichrist Superstar is yet again at his ultimate high.
What about the other 4 times?
2009: Mayhem fest in Mountain View, High End of Low
2013: Warfield Theater in San Francisco, mixed set
2017 and 2018: Concord Pavilion, Pale Emperor
Those last two times were quite painful to watch, with all the health (mental and otherwise) issues Manson was dealing with at the time. Lines were blurred. Discourse wasn’t reasonable.
“Positive” or “beneficial” discourse would probably never apply to Manson, but those were dark years and yes, nod if you understand 😉
This year’s set was a perfect reflection of his evol-ution and the events that unfolded since then.
The setlist
1. Nod if you understand
2. Disposable teens
3. Angel with the scabbed wings
4. Tourniquet
5. Sacrilegious
6. This is a new shit
7. MObscene
8. Mechanical animals
9. Dope show (prelude: I don’t like the drugs)
10. As sick as the secrets within
11. Sweet dreams
12. Beautiful people
13. The reflecting god
14. Coma white
vulnerability+
vulnerability+
“Thought they can take me away from you?
They f*cking failed!”
— MM on opportunistic accusations dominating mainstream media.
Unlike other live shows, there were 14 songs in this set vs the usual 13.
Leveling up, or breaking the pattern?
Perhaps, counting those Odds of Even?
Either way, the entire set was more mature, put together, rational…
Not boring or conventional, or no. The audience reflected all these shifts too. No more drunken Disposable Teens, spilling beer as they pass you by.
People who made the trip were there for a reason.
And, going back to towers to crumble… In Tarot, the Tower card is a major life change, but also a door to a new beginning. It truly could be felt, In the Air Tonight.