Marilyn Manson rocked the stage at San Luis Potosí’s annual fair on August 10, but not everyone was thrilled about the shock rocker’s appearance. The 14-song set drew roughly 205,000 people, but religious and conservative groups in the state called the show “inappropriate,” with one organization, the National Union of Parents, collecting over 6,000 signatures trying to get the performance canceled.
Governor Ricardo Gallardo Cardona defended the booking, saying it was about “freedom of expression” and tackling what he calls the state’s “cultural lag.” Speaking to Billboard, he pointed out that Manson has performed in places like Rome—“the cradle of Catholicism”—so why not San Luis Potosí? “This isn’t about religion; it’s about cultural justice, about creating unity, and we must do it through music,” he said.
Reactions to the protests were wild: some locals even placed a cow head outside the Metropolitan Cathedral on the day of the show.
Manson isn’t new to controversy. Earlier this year, a UK show in Bournemouth scheduled for Halloween was canceled after local leaders and an online campaign called No Stage for Abusers pushed back against allegations against the musician. Brighton Centre pulled the plug, with officials stating Manson’s values didn’t align with the community’s.
Despite the backlash, Manson hit the stage in San Luis Potosí, proving once again that he’s no stranger to controversy—or to massive crowds of devoted fans.
SOURCE: LoudWire