So if you’re one of the biggest metal bands on the planet, with over 25 years of heritage, how do you launch a world tour? By setting fire to a massive 20-foot-high sculpture outside Wembley Stadium, that’s how!
After a weekend of leaked rumours, backed up by an online frenzy of teasers, Slipknot announced that a 2027 world tour was due to hit the road in July next year. Opening the tour, on July 3rd would be Slipknots largest UK stadium show to date. The masked 8 piece would be entertaining over 90,000 fans, and if you were lucky enough and got yourself to Wembley yesterday evening, you could have bagged yourself a ticket. As well tickets, the pop-up merch store was selling exclusive launch event T Shirts, and if you were patient enough to wait around until dusk, you’d have been in for a bit of a treat!
With the PA blasting out Slipknot into every Londoners lug ‘oles, ‘Wait and Bleed’, ‘Duality’ and ‘Psychosocial’ being my particular favs, fans were treated to a spectacle of flames when the massive ‘S’ sculpture was engulfed with smoke and fire. Illuminated in deep reds, to match the giant archway over the stadium, fans came from far and wide to witness the action. From rock n roll models to YouTube influencers, the steadily moving audience was excited as much intrigued by the visual effects.
Next year promises to be quite the year when it comes to rock and metal performances, and Slipknot at Wembley has to be one for the calendar. Supported by Marylin Manson, Lorna Shore and Hatebreed, don ya masks and boiler suits and treat yourself to a day in town. I’ll be there, as will Metal Planet Music. Hope to see you ring side!
Words & Photos Phil Rozier for MPM
