Slipknot frontman Corey Taylor has broken his silence regarding the band’s newly announced 2027 Wembley show, which has faced significant backlash from fans due to the inclusion of Marilyn Manson as the opening act. Taylor addressed the upcoming tour in a statement shared by BBC1.
When asked, “Corey, should we just start off with the elephant in the room? What’s happening? What’s going on with Slipknot in 2027?” Taylor shared his excitement for the upcoming performances.
“Massive, massive worldwide tours is what’s happening,” Taylor said. “I am so proud to say our first live show will be at Wembley in July. We’re really, really excited, and we couldn’t have thought of a better place to kick everything off.”
Taylor went on to express his appreciation for the band’s UK fanbase and their long-standing support.
“This country was really the first place to believe in us, man, you know?” Taylor continued. “And it really, it spread from there so quickly that it was almost instantaneous. So we’ve always had a very, very warm place in our heart, and a very loyal place in our heart for that island. And I’m so stoked that that’s where we’re starting. Like, it’s gonna be ridiculous.”
The announcement of the July 2027 Wembley show has drawn criticism from fans, with some expressing disappointment over Marilyn Manson’s involvement. One fan commented, “Not with a predator like Marylin Manson on the bill….. no thank you,” while another wrote, “The slipknot i grew up listening to wouldn’t entertain the idea of taking someone with the reputation of Marilyn Manson on tour. I hope this tanks.”
Taylor’s comments mark the band’s first public response to the controversy, but they arrive against a long history that gives the Wembley booking extra weight. Slipknot has built one of its strongest fanbases in the United Kingdom, and the country has served as a launchpad for the band’s international career for more than two decades.
The band’s decision to return to Wembley sits within that long relationship with UK audiences, a market that has consistently supported Slipknot’s largest tours and festival appearances. That history explains why Taylor framed the Wembley date as a homecoming of sorts rather than a routine tour stop.
The controversy surrounding Manson is rooted in allegations that have followed him for years. Los Angeles County prosecutors announced in January 2025 that they would not file charges against Manson, whose legal name is Brian Warner, after a years-long investigation into allegations of sexual assault and domestic violence. Prosecutors said the allegations were too old under the law, and the office stated it could not prove sexual assault charges beyond a reasonable doubt.
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman addressed the decision directly. “We have determined that allegations of domestic violence fall outside of the statute of limitations, and we cannot prove charges of sexual assault beyond a reasonable doubt,” he said. Manson has consistently denied the allegations, and his lawyer has repeatedly described them as falsehoods.
Despite the lack of criminal charges, the backlash among Slipknot’s fanbase has been immediate and vocal. Fans reacted negatively to Manson being included as a support act across the band’s upcoming stadium dates, with much of the criticism centered on his reputation rather than his music. The response echoes similar reactions that have followed other festival and tour bookings involving Manson in recent years.
Taylor’s statement does not address the criticism over Manson directly, and he instead focused on the scale of the touring plans and the band’s bond with its UK audience.
