MINISTRY w/ GARY NUMAN AND FRONT LINE ASSEMBLY
@ THE FILLMORE, MINNEAPOLIS (MN)
MARCH 9, 2024
In support of their recent album release HOPIUMFORTHEMASSES, Ministry has hit the road and have brought their legendary friends Gary Numan and Front Line Assembly along for the ride.
The venue was full when industrial pioneers Front Line Assembly started the show with a 40-min set. There were coloured strobe lights, plentiful smoke, and projected images on the back wall through their seven songs. The tall and lanky Bill Leeb paced the stage, occasionally pausing to lean on the microphone stand or to step over to a single drum placed near drummer Jon Siren to contribute extra drum beats when he wasn’t singing. Rhys Fulber was content behind the keyboards, solemn and straight faced. The guitarist Matthew Setzer was impressive, peering out into the crowd from his black contacts and long blond dreads. Although I lost him amongst the smoke at times during the set, drummer Jon Siren didn’t miss a beat, his long black hair flowing as he furiously played.
Barely anyone in the crowd moved after their set, elbow to elbow while they patiently waited for Gary Numan to take the stage. Numan’s set is always mesmerizing. While it’s a more sombre tone than Front Line Assembly or Ministry, the mixture of strategically-timed coloured lighting, strobes, smoke, and projected images of time lapsed desert, sky, and fire scenes set a mood that enticed the audience to just live in the moment and stare in awe. I was pleasantly surprised that a majority of the audience kept their cell phones in their pockets the entire time. Guitarist Steve Harris and Bassist Tim Slade donned long black tunics and swayed in a hypnotic trance while Numan strutted around the stage, arms often stretched upwards as they played songs such as “Halo”, “My Name is Ruin” and the set list staple of “Cars”. Numan’s musical career has spanned over 40 years and yet his performance is just as sincere and intense as ever.
“Uncle Al” Jourgensen and his talented crew had a great set, opening with “B.D.E” off of their most recent album. Lenny Badpenny contributed female vocals, wearing a tight silver one-piece suit. “Hating what you cannot have/Killing what you cannot be” The first part of the set was new material off of the new album, including “Just Stop Oil” and “Goddamn White Trash”. Jourgensen was void of his signature dreadlocks and piercings, instead donning a clean look all dressed in black and a cowboy hat. A skull-themed cross podium was the stage centerpiece, where he’d frequently pause to lick his finger and mime turning a page in a book, as if conducting a sermon. While not singing, he was mouthing the spoken word dialogue that is common amongst Ministry tracks, gesturing as if he was preaching to the crowd. After the new songs had been played, he apologized to the crowd, who “was here to buy shit at the merch booth and hear the old stuff”, and the audience cheered in agreement. The second half of the set was fan favorites such as “Alert Level”, “N.W.O” and “Just One Fix” with each song igniting the crowd even more. Jourgensen even joined on guitar for a few songs. Techs and stagehands crept on and off the stage, making minor adjustments to ensure everything ran smoothly. Roy Mayorga’s drumming was absolutely flawless and intense; you could feel the drums beating in your chest. They took a brief break (Jourgensen jokingly claimed the band needed a marijuana break) but finished the night off with a few songs including “Burning Inside”.
All three bands complimented each other really well, full of legendary talent and amazing stage production that opening acts seem to be left out of at times. I’d find it hard to believe that any fan who attended was disappointed in any way.
(Photography by Trista Whitman)
Ministry Photos
Gary Numan Photos
Front Line Assembly Photos
Ministry Links
Gary Numan Links
Front Line Assembly Links
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