Slipknot Fans Threaten Boycott Over Marilyn Manson Support Slot on New World Tour

Heavy metal giants Slipknot have unveiled plans for a major new world tour, but the announcement has been overshadowed by a fierce backlash from sections of their fanbase over the choice of Marilyn Manson as a support act.

The eight-member band, famous for their elaborate masks and aggressive stage shows, confirmed that Manson will join them for a headline date at London's Wembley Stadium as well as several shows on the South American leg of the trek. Metalcore outfit Hatebreed will also appear on the London bill.

The news was shared with fans through an Instagram post detailing the line-up for the Wembley concert. The reaction was immediate and sharply divided, with thousands of comments flooding the post within hours of publication.

Many followers expressed enthusiasm for the pairing, arguing that Slipknot and Manson share a long history within the alternative metal scene and that the combination would appeal to a broad cross-section of devotees. One supporter described Manson as a "perfect support act," noting the substantial overlap between the two artists' audiences.

However, a significant number of self-described longtime Slipknot fans reacted with anger and disappointment. Several vowed to skip the shows entirely, citing past sexual abuse allegations made against the 57-year-old musician, whose real name is Brian Warner.

One commenter wrote that they would have loved to attend but could not countenance any money finding its way into Manson's pockets. Another simply labelled the announcement a "disappointment" and confirmed they would not be purchasing tickets.

The controversy stems from allegations that first gained widespread public attention in 2021, when actress Evan Rachel Wood publicly accused Manson of abuse. Wood, who was in a relationship with the singer for roughly three years beginning in 2007, alleged that he had "horrifically abused" and "manipulated" her. She said she chose to speak out in order to warn others about what she characterised as a dangerous man.

Manson responded at the time by rejecting the claims outright, describing them as "horrible distortions of reality" and insisting that his intimate relationships had always been entirely consensual. He has consistently and strongly denied all allegations made against him.

In the wake of Wood's statement, a number of other women came forward on social media with similar accounts accusing Manson of abuse. The wave of allegations prompted intense media scrutiny and led to his removal from several record labels and management deals.

Wood later featured in a 2022 documentary series titled Phoenix Rising, which centred on her allegations and examined the broader cultural conversation around abuse in the entertainment industry.

The legal battle that followed saw Manson sue Wood and another woman for defamation. He accused them of impersonating FBI agents and forging federal documents. A judge dismissed some of his claims, and in 2024 he ultimately settled the case, agreeing to cover Wood's legal fees as part of the resolution.

Separately, authorities in Los Angeles announced last year that they would not pursue criminal charges against Manson. The decision followed a four-year investigation into accusations of domestic abuse and sexual assault involving multiple women.

The district attorney's office explained that the domestic abuse allegations fell "outside of the statute of limitations," meaning too much time had passed for a prosecution to be brought. It added that it was unable to "prove charges of sexual assault beyond a reasonable doubt," the standard required for a criminal conviction.

That outcome closed the door on criminal proceedings but did nothing to resolve the broader public debate about Manson's legacy and whether he should continue to receive prominent platforming in the music industry.

For Slipknot, the row presents a reputational dilemma. The band has cultivated a fiercely loyal following built on themes of outsider identity and catharsis, and its members have generally avoided overt political or social commentary. The decision to align with Manson places them at the centre of an ongoing cultural reckoning about how the music business handles artists accused of serious misconduct.

The episode also raises questions about the commercial calculus behind touring decisions. Stadium and festival promoters increasingly weigh artist controversies against ticket sales, and support slots are often chosen to maximise appeal to overlapping fanbases rather than to make any kind of statement.

BBC Newsbeat has contacted representatives for Marilyn Manson as well as gig promoters Live Nation UK seeking comment on the fan reaction and the decision to include him on the bill. Neither had responded publicly at the time of writing.

The London show is expected to be one of the biggest dates on Slipknot's schedule, and the strength of feeling among some fans suggests the debate is unlikely to fade before tickets go on sale. Whether the dissent translates into meaningful numbers of empty seats remains to be seen, but the announcement has already ensured that the tour will be discussed well beyond the metal press.

The split reaction mirrors a wider pattern across live entertainment, where audiences increasingly scrutinise the artists they are asked to support financially. For now, Slipknot face the challenge of promoting a global tour while managing a fanbase that is openly at odds over one of its most prominent guests.