Marilyn Manson delivers dark antics at Vina Robles
-By DuPree Dial
Photos by DuPree Dial.
–Marilyn Manson has a reputation for being loud and giving unpredictable shows. Thankfully, they did not disappoint on Friday at the Vina Robles Ampitheatre. Putting on a dark, theatrical show full of bible burning, Antichrist antics, Marilyn Manson performed mostly recent songs, (sadly minus their hit “Personal Jesus”) while lasers sliced through the overly fogged up stage. From “Coma White” to the Eurythmics “Sweet Dreams,” each song had it’s own little performance, from Manson burning a bible at a Hitler-esque lectern under a spotlight to him strapping on stilts and long crutches like a spider.
Manson performed on stilts like a spider for a portion of the concert.
Manson definitely has a following and he’s his own kind of religion with many devout followers, but that did not equate to a packed house on Friday. The stage was back-lit by large stained glass windows with Manson’s face haloed like a deity and. He kept referring to the Paso Robles crowd as simply “California,” which seemed like a safe move considering the whirlwind tour he’s been on, which takes him to Europe in November, and his tendency to forget what town he is in while performing. The standing room only, in front of the stage, felt like an “invitation” to mosh but surprisingly, there was maybe only one or two overly enthusiastic followers making their own space.
Manson burned a bible at a Hitler-esque lectern.
All-in-all, it was a diverse crowd that behaved themselves, rocked to their god and had fun. The crowd was hoping for an encore after the last song but, were left surprised at the abrupt end when Manson dropped his mike, left and didn’t come back, but it’s moves like that keep his followers coming back for more.
