The group’s namesake festival returns for one night only in September
Over the past few days, Slipknot destroyed a barbecue joint in Souther California in front of 850 people, and headlined Sick New World in Las Vegas in front of a much larger crowd. Now, the storied metal band has confirmed Knotfest Iowa. Set for September 21 in Des Moines, Iowa, this year’s event will be held at Waterworks Park, which is adjacent to downtown Des Moines where Slipknot played in 2000 on the legendary Tattoo the Earth tour.
This year’s lineup boasts Rammstein frontman Till Lindemann as part of his first-ever North American solo tour, Knocked Loose, hardcore legends Hatebreed, metalcore influencers Poison The Well, GWAR, Des Moines natives VENDED, in addition to Dying Wish, Zulu, Twin Temple, Holy Wars, Swollen Teeth and Spine & Dose.
Tickets and VIP Passes go on sale beginning tomorrow, April 30, with Knotfest.com premium pre-sale tickets available from 10am to 12pm CT, followed by Knotfest.com general subscriber pre-sale tickets starting at 12pm CT. General tickets are on sale this Friday, May 3 10am CT.
Slipknot are bigger than ever. Those who witnessed those early days could justifiably have thought the band would never last this long – most artists that debut with such a burning intensity and a complete disregard for the existing paradigm, cannot last. But Slipknot’s unapologetic ferocity spoke to an entire generation, and quicker than anyone outside the band expected, they were also speaking FOR that generation. Now generations in, Slipknot’s message, songs and art resonate even more powerfully. This is where it all began.
Knotfest Iowa will also debut a revamped Knotfest Museum celebrating Slipknot’s 25-year career. A staple at Knotfests all over the world, the ante is upped this year – the Museum Experience will feature a jaw-dropping collection of artifacts from the band’s history, making this a can’t miss opportunity for fans. Tickets are strictly limited.
Knotfest Iowa isn’t just a music festival; it’s a pilgrimage to the heart of where Slipknot’s legacy began. Since launching in 2012, the festival has surged into a fully immersive multi-stage event that offers unparalleled experiences across the globe including Mexico, Japan, United Kingdom, France, Finland, Australia and across South America. Additionally, Knotfest has since spun off into a successful entertainment media hub – Knotfest.com, which became a juggernaut of its own making, giving a platform to young freethinkers and like-minded artists. All of these achievements have helped Slipknot claim their rightful seat as pioneers and thought leaders, establishing them as a generational talent.
Slipknot’s performance last week at Pappy and Harriett’s in Pioneertown, California was the polar opposite of the band’s headlining gig in front of tens of thousands of people at Sick New World. It was a throwback in many ways: from playing an intimate venue like the ones they cut their teeth 25 years ago, to donning their original masks and signature red jumpsuits that made them metal sensations, it felt like being in a time capsule.
While many details of the show felt old, one thing was new – their drummer. While the band has not officially announced their new stickman since the departure of Jay Weinberg last November, internet sleuths have deduced that there’s a strong possibility that former Sepultura drummer Eloy Casagrande is now sitting behind the kit for Slipknot. Perhaps an announcement is coming before Sick New World this weekend.
Slipknot kicked things off with “People = Shit” from their seminal sophomore effort, Iowa. From there, it was a barrage of career-spanning hits including “Before I Forget,” “Psychosocial,” “Custer,” “The Devil In I,” “Wait and Bleed,” “Vermilion,” and more. They kept it old school, pulling tracks from every album in their catalog except their latest, 2022’s The End, So Far. They played the most songs (five) from their iconic 1999 self-titled debut.
Released on June 29, 1999, Slipknot came out in the thick of a hard rock renaissance. Filled with hits like “Wait and Bleed,” “Spit It Out,” “Surfacing,” and more, the album peaked at No. 51 on the Billboard 200 and No. 3 on the UK’s Rock & Metal Albums chart. From the get-go, Slipknot announced their arrival by kicking the door down with the opening track, “(sic),” an absolutely brutal assault that would set the tone for a career extending over two decades, filled with chart-topping albums, sold out tours, and massive festival headlining slots.
Last June, the band released their Adderall EP. The collection features three versions of the single from their last album, The End, So Far. The record also contains three previously unreleased demos – “Red or Redder,” “Hard to Be Here,” and “Death March” which appears to be a slowed-down version of “Adderall” in reverse. The band also revealed a video for “Memories,” a rough demo of “Adderall.”
Subsequently, Slipknot parted ways with keyboardist Craig Jones. Jones had been a member of the band for nearly three decades. Slipknot confirmed the news on their official social media.
“To our fans, Slipknot is announcing that we have parted ways with Craig Jones,” the band said in a statement. “We wish jones all the best for the future.”
Jones joined Slipknot in 1996 after the departure of guitarist Donnie Steele. His time on guitar was short-lived, as he quickly moved to keyboards and sampling. Slipknot brought in Mick Thomson to take over guitar duties.
Last November, Slipknot dismissed long-time drummer Jay Weinberg in a shocking announcement.
“We would like to thank Jay Weinberg for his dedication and passion over the last ten years. No one can ever replace Joey Jordison’s original sound, style, or energy, but Jay honored Joey’s parts and contributed to the lat three albums and we, the band, and the fans appreciate it. But as ever, Slipknot is intent on evolving. The band has decided to make a creative decision, and to part ways with Jay. We wish Jay all the best and are very excited for what the future holds.”
Slipknot are returning to Europe and the UK next December for a headlining arena tour. The run begins on 5 December in Amsterdam, Netherlands, with stops in Germany, Switzerland, France, and more. Very special guests for the trek will be Bleed from Within. Check out the full tour itinerary below.
Tickets and VIP Passes will be available at KnotfestIowa.com