The concept of the big rock show featuring a double headliner has long proved to be a fascinating and successful piece of show business. It’s a great way to share audiences, cut costs, and raise some significantly lucrative revenue. And fundamentally, the double headliner raises some serious headlines in the world of rock journalism. Previous joint tours have included the legendary run of dates that saw Metallica sparring with Guns N’ Roses. And in the 1990s, David Bowie saw his career take an upward turn thanks to a double headliner with industrial rockers Nine Inch Nails. The recent pairing of Smashing Pumpkins and Marilyn Manson might have raised a few eyebrows, however. Although both acts came to fame in the 1990s, there are many reports of no love being lost between Manson and the Pumpkins’ frontman Billy Corgan. This is why the prospect of seeing these musical giants competing at the Irvine Meadows Amphitheatre was too good to miss.
Marilyn Manson
For many years the famously controversial artist Marilyn Manson has made headlines more for his outlandish looks and outrageous comments than his actual music. This has seen his presence become more of a brand than a musical entity. Evidence of this can be seen in guest appearances in TV shows such as Sons of Anarchy, and even a range of horror-style slot machine games such as Voodoo Magic and Count Spectacular at Slotocash that could be straight out of one of his music videos. But with his most recent album The Pale Emperor gaining rave reviews, he was in keen form to illustrate his musical prowess. And although the stage show was full of the usual Manson iconography, including towering crosses, smoke machines, and flaming bibles, nobody could deny the raw industrial power of his music.
Smashing Pumpkins
Similarly, Smashing Pumpkins’ recent musical reputation has often been overshadowed by the erratic behaviour of frontman Billy Corgan. What began with an illustrious string of psychedelic grunge albums such as Gish and Siamese Dream swiftly descending into inter-band acrimony, drug abuse and even the death of keyboard player Jonathan Melvoin in 1996. However, in concert Smashing Pumpkins were once again a musical force to be reckoned with. With a relatively minimalist stage set, the band performed with a subtle yet powerful grasp of alternative rock dynamics. The latest version of the band featured original drummer Jimmy Chamberlain and the sheer euphoria delivered in classics such as Cherub Rock easily translated across this huge amphitheatre, and proved that these 1990s rockers have still got the capacity to deliver thought-provoking, yet highly entertaining music.