NEWS
Slipknot have announced their first-ever headline show in Mexico City, with support from BABYMETAL.
The gig is due to take place on November 9 at Parque Bicentenario, the day after the metal band’s show at Guadalajara in Mexico.
In addition to BABYMETAL, Swedish group Orbit Culture will also open for Slipknot as they make their headline debut in Mexico City. See more about the gig and how you can buy tickets below.
Next month the masked outfit will embark on their ‘Here Comes The Pain’ 25th anniversary tour in North America, with Knocked Loose and more appearing as special guests at the shows. Find any remaining tickets here.
After that, they’ll be playing two different sets at Knotfest Brazil in October, and doing gigs in Peru, Columbia, Bogota and Mexico in November.
They then return to Europe and the UK toward the end of the year – spending November performing in the Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland and France. They’ll play two consecutive shows at The O2 in London this December.
DECEMBER
14 – First Direct Arena, Leeds
15 – Glasgow, OVO Hydro
17 – Manchester, Co-Op Live
18 – Birmingham, Utilita Arena Birmingham
20 – London, O2
21 – London, O2
You can find any remaining tickets to the UK shows here.
These shows are partly in celebration of the 25th anniversary of Slipknot’s self-titled debut album, which was released in 1999.
Slipknot’s founding member and percussionist Shawn ‘Clown’ Crahan has opened up about his feelings towards the band’s new music – saying he has “a really, really spiritual feeling” about their next release.
Last month Clown revealed that the new music is coming sooner than fans expect. He said: “I can say that there’s gonna be music sooner than you can imagine, delivered to you in a way you can’t imagine.”
Slipknot’s last album was 2022’s ‘The End, So Far,’ which NME gave four stars in a review. It reads: “Aside from the blood, the gore, the theatrics and the noise, there’s clearly always been much more to the band’s ability to shock and surprise – and now it seems their next left turn of an era could be their most daring yet.”
Meanwhile, Mexico City support act BABYMETAL told NME at Download Festival 2024 that they “haven’t changed at all” because of their success.
The Japanese trio – comprised of founding members Su-Metal and Moametal, and new addition Momometal – recently released a new single, ‘Ratatata’, with Electric Callboy. It was their first track to make it onto the US charts.
Zara Larsson has indicated that she may have cancelled her December 3 appearance at the Formula One Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The singer initially confirmed that she would not attend, before removing the comment and sharing a more detailed explanation of why the performance no longer feels right for her.
The Swedish star was scheduled to take the stage at Etihad Live on Yas Island during the Yasalam After-Race Concerts. Zara and Lewis Capaldi were due to launch the weekend’s entertainment. However, supporters encouraged her to reconsider the booking because of concerns surrounding the United Arab Emirates’ reported connections to Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces, a paramilitary organisation accused of committing atrocities during the nation’s civil conflict.
A fan commented: “Please read about what UAE is doing to Sudan then cancel your Abu Dhabi show!” Zara responded: “I will not be going to Abu Dhabi.” Fans later realised that both comments had been removed.
She then shared that she had been considering what it means for her, as an artist, to perform in particular countries.
The Midnight Sun singer explained: “I think about that a lot in my life as an artist… I wanna perform and spread joy and music for people in every country, because no single person is their government.
“I’ve met so many wonderful people from every corner of the world and I know this to be true in my heart. I love people, and I love my fans soooo much.”
Zara acknowledged that her original comment “maybe came off as an impulsive response,” but explained that she had given the booking serious thought. She now believes withdrawing is the decision that “aligns with me the most right now, for many different personal reasons beyond politics.”
She continued: “Maybe I’ll delete both comments and do a better statement soon. I hope to sing with you in the beautiful future!”
