Justin Nuoffer CONCERT REVIEW + PHOTOS
Marilyn Manson
8/11/24 – The Sylvee – Madison, WI
©Justin Nuoffer/NuofferMedia.com
On a beautiful Sunday evening Marilyn Manson, the king of goth, came to Madison, WI to perform his own ceremony. Fans arrived extremely early and waited nearly all day to have their chance to be front and center. The line was decked out in black and every possible metal band shirt was represented. Goths were out in force. Their makeup and outfits were on point. The fans truly were in their Sunday best.
Above the four glass doors, the marquee wrapped around the front and flashed “Marilyn Manson tonight” on both sides. People stopped to take their photos and selfies in front of it. This was a big moment for most. The sunlight glistened off of the glass facade of The Sylvee. Once the doors opened, the lines moved quickly through the security check, and the venue filled in quickly.
As you walk into the main room, the bar for drinks runs along the entire back wall and off to the right is a large nook where the fans wait to purchase merchandise. Walking straight in you can take the stairs down to the general admission floor. Above are two levels. The second level has two rows of seating that wraps around the room. Behind those seats are two additional levels that are standing room that also wraps around the room. On the highest level are six suites for an enhanced experience. Back on the main level there is standing room that also wraps around the entire main floor. The stage itself is a massive area with state-of-the-art sound and lighting. Everything about The Sylvee is there to strengthen the fan experience. This was by far the best possible spot for the Marilyn Manson tour to have stopped.
The room’s lights dimmed well below normal levels. Behind a black curtain draped over the front of the stage, strobes and flood lights randomly started to flash and the famous double inverted crosses illuminated and shone through the darkness. The mist began rolling across the stage, filling the air. The atmosphere became electrified with the anticipation of the unknown. The intro to “Cruci-fiction in Space” slowly kicks in and Reba, who is on guitar, begins her hair flips while pushing down on an effects pedal. Piggy D on bass stands up on the edge of the monitor waiting for the curtain drop. Across the stage on the right-hand side, guitarist Tyler Bates stands back and strums lightly. Behind everyone, the incredible drumming of Gil Sharone sets the pace early. The lights started flashing faster and the stage became covered in pure red lighting.
The curtain fell to reveal Manson himself standing in front of the drum kit with his back to the crowd, as a deafening roar filled the venue. The aesthetics were simple and effective. Two small stands covered the front monitor, and Manson had one foot on it and gripped the microphone with both hands. It was undeniable that the Manson we all knew and grew up loving was back.
There was absolutely no rust shown. Manson was in tip-top performance mode. Bates laid into the opening riff to “Disposable Teens” and the crowd’s raised arms flowed in waves. Objects were flying around the mosh pit. Everything amplified itself during the first track performed, “Angel With the Scabbed Wings” of off Antichrist Superstar. The security barricades began shaking. Manson leaned over the monitors and screamed the lyrics into the faces of those in the front row.
Armed with two of the most popular and upbeat tracks from The Golden Age of Grotesque, “This Is The New Shit” and “mOBSCENE”, Manson and company executed them to perfection. The hallways that wrapped around the venue vibrated and rattled with every bass smash and note. His voice delivered undeniably catchy lyrics. The heart raced more and more. Sandwiched in between those bangers were “Say 10”, “Great Big White World”, “Third Day of A Seven Day Binge”, and “Deep Six”. Fan favorite “Tourniquet” presented itself as the transition point. The evening’s events only intensified from here on out.
The back half of the setlist carried the heaviest hitters of his extensive discography. Manson proclaimed, “I am a drug addict” and “The Dope Show” was in full swing. The song had arguably one of the fullest sounds projecting from the stage. It felt like momentum slowed down and the infectious groove took over, which was perfect considering “As Sick As The Secrets Within” was next. Impressively, the crowd knew every word and sang it back to the band. Manson, seemingly surprised, held his microphone out at times to hear it sung out loud. The new track really played well live and felt written for this type of live experience.
The sing-a-long continued with their timeless cover of “Sweet Dream” by the Eurythmics. The vocal manipulations and creepy whisper-like singing by Manson were dead on. The lighting transition through these final songs was impressive. The mood shifts flawlessly as well. Manson walked off stage and returned with a new face paint design – the classic black stripe running across his face and nose bridge. It was a look he maintained in the early years. His screams were concise and vintage Manson, and most noticeable on “The Love Song”. Every scream was followed up with a smile to those down in front, his silver grills glimmering and reflecting with every grin.
At last, the time came for one of the evening’s final songs. Manson’s raspy voice delivered an intro that lit the room up, “Madison, Madison, How does it feel to be one of the beautiful people?” He then adjusted his captain’s hat and gave a signal to start the song. Watching Manson as he drummed the introduction to “The Beautiful People” himself was unmatched live. It is something you felt deep inside. You know the song and so does everyone else. It never stops pleasing. Manson knows this and for the final chorus, the man took off to the front of the stage, climbed down, and sang the rest with the crowd while standing on the barricade.
The mosh pit moved and spun harder than at any other point in the evening. Once he made his way back to the stage, he stood at the center and waved to everyone in the room. Then he held the microphone over his head for an ultimate mic drop and headed off stage. Everything went black, and the band re-emerged to launch into “Coma White”. Up above the stage, three machines released fake snow. The effect mixed well with the purple lighting.
Manson gave a riveting final performance in a black leather duster and a black stetson. The crowd surfers finally started to flow over the top as the room filled with voices and fog. There was no denying the moment was unbelievable. Then just like that, all that was left were those illuminated double inverted crosses and guitar feedback.
Leaving the venue, all one could think about was how fantastic the show was. The street became packed with people who all shared the same sad feeling of it being over. The cool air blowing over the isthmus was a sobering reality of the moment.
Manson’s surrounding cast are some of the best performers out there. Their careers are all notable and their meshing as a unit made this resurrection all that much more impactful. However, Manson himself gave the performance of a lifetime. Something long-time fans remember being his calling card. A nonstop emotional journey to the darker side. A career-spanning setlist and the fans love of those memorable songs pushed him to pour every possible ounce of blood, sweat, and tears out to the eager Madison crowd. There was no doubt the man was back and was in his peak performance shape. Tonight was everything one could’ve asked for from a heavy metal legend. It would be highly recommended to catch his act once again. It never disappoints.
Check out of concert photo gallery from the Marilyn Manson show below:
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