Marilyn Manson is coming to The National this week and we’re pumped

by | May 4, 2015 | MUSIC

Continuing the trend of “everything I love in high school is cool again,”

Continuing the trend of “everything I love in high school is cool again,” shock-rocker Marilyn Manson is coming to the National this Wednesday, 5/6.

Now many of you might be scoffing at the idea for any number of reason – maybe your folks didn’t let you listen to him when you were growing up (I got suspended from middle school for bringing a burned-Manson mixed CD into class) or maybe you think he’s just some dramatic throw back from when the only thing blacker than your hot topic t-shirt was your eye liner.

We’ll people like Mason didn’t gain a world-wide following by sitting on their laurels, playing shitty music and running shitty gimmicks – no, Marilyn Manson is the last of a dying breed – the kind of full-production musical act which can’t exist anymore.

There are few spectacles with as much reach – sure, we’ve all got bands we heard on tumblr and think the world of – but lets see if any of them sell out shows in Venezuela for the next 12 years.

Manson is a rockstar in the best and worst use of the term. Platinum records, drug abuse, fights at Denny’s – what more could you ask for in a touring musician?

And worst case, the night is sure to be a sing-a-long of some of his most memorable and biggest tracks – check out this video of ‘Sweet Dreams’ from a recent show at the Fillmore in Silver Spring, MD:

And then him blasting through ‘Dope Show’ –

Still don’t trust me? Reviews from this tour have come back mighty positive as well. Wven though this series of shows is a more ‘stripped down’ version of his usual 30-piece costume production, folks have been hailing the musician for his actual performance, and not his ability to fit into spandex. Here’s a bit from an OregonLive review of his show in March:

But the lack of choreography to the show worked in the 46-year-old’s favor. He was able to simply perform, falling under the spell of his band’s heady mix of industrial rock, glam, and metal. With his frequent exaltations of “Hallelujah!” to the sold-out crowd, he took on the persona of a revivalist preacher, albeit one who twitched and screamed like Dr. Jekyll mid-transformation. He stalked and prowled all over the stage, knocking over microphone stands and occasionally parts of drummer Gil Sharone’s kit, or wrapping his arms around longtime bassist Twiggy Ramirez.

We’re gonna be checking this show out for sure, and we hope ya’ll will do the same.

Scoop your tickets here.

Brad Kutner

Brad Kutner

Brad Kutner is the former editor of GayRVA and RVAMag from 2013 - 2017. He’s now the Richmond Bureau Chief for Radio IQ, a state-wide NPR outlet based in Roanoke. You can reach him at BradKutnerNPR@gmail.com




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