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

Slipknot have unveiled plans for a major world tour, but the announcement has been overshadowed by a backlash from sections of their fanbase over the decision to book Marilyn Manson as a support act.

The masked heavy metal outfit, which features eight members, confirmed that the US rock musician will join them for a headline show at London's Wembley Stadium as well as several dates on the South American leg of the trek. Metalcore outfit Hatebreed will also appear on the London bill.

News of the lineup was shared through an Instagram post, and the response was immediate and sharply divided. Thousands of comments flooded in, with a significant number expressing anger and disappointment rather than excitement.

Critics of the decision pointed to the long history of sexual abuse allegations made against Manson, whose real name is Brian Warner. The 57-year-old has consistently and strongly denied all accusations against him.

Many of those responding to the post described themselves as longstanding Slipknot fans, and some said the booking had persuaded them to stay away from the shows entirely. One commenter wrote that while they would have loved to attend, there was nothing that could convince them to put money into Manson's pockets. Another simply called the announcement a deep disappointment and confirmed they would not be going.

The strength of feeling reflects how closely some fans tie their loyalty to the band to the values they associate with it, and how a support slot can become a flashpoint when an artist's personal history is contested.

However, the reaction was far from unanimous. Other fans welcomed the pairing, arguing that Slipknot and Manson share a substantial overlapping audience and that the veteran shock-rocker is a natural fit for the tour. One supporter described him as a perfect support act, suggesting the collaboration makes commercial and artistic sense to at least part of the fanbase.

The controversy has its roots in allegations that first gained widespread public attention in 2021. Actress Evan Rachel Wood, who was in a relationship with the singer for around three years from 2007, publicly accused him of abuse. In her statement at the time, she said he had horrifically abused and manipulated her, and explained that she was speaking out to warn others about what she called a dangerous man.

Manson responded by rejecting the claims outright, describing them as horrible distortions of reality and insisting that his intimate relationships had always been entirely consensual. In the period that followed, several other women came forward on social media with similar statements accusing him of abuse.

Wood later appeared in a 2022 documentary series titled Phoenix Rising, which centred on her allegations against Manson and brought the accusations to a wider audience.

The dispute extended into the courts. Manson sued Wood and another woman for defamation, alleging that they had impersonated FBI agents and forged federal documents. A judge dismissed some of his claims, and the case was eventually settled in 2024, with Manson agreeing to pay Wood's legal fees.

The legal picture shifted again last year when prosecutors in Los Angeles announced 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 the statute of limitations, and that it was unable to prove charges of sexual assault beyond a reasonable doubt.

That outcome means Manson faces no criminal proceedings over the allegations, a fact his supporters have emphasised. For critics, however, the absence of charges has done little to change their view, and the announcement of the tour has resurfaced the debate in a very public way.

BBC Newsbeat has contacted representatives for Marilyn Manson as well as gig promoters Live Nation UK to seek a response to the reaction.

The episode highlights a growing pattern in the music industry, where announcements about touring lineups increasingly trigger debates among fans about an artist's past conduct, the difference between legal outcomes and public perception, and where audiences draw their own ethical lines.

For Slipknot, the tour represents a major international undertaking with a stadium date in London at its centre. For Manson, the support slot offers a prominent platform alongside one of metal's most recognisable acts. For fans, the choice of who shares the stage has become a test of loyalty, and the argument is unlikely to fade before tickets go on sale.