Marilyn Manson’s scheduled appearance at Wembley Stadium in July 2027 has become the focus of growing criticism, with questions being raised about the decision to include the musician on Slipknot’s upcoming stadium tour. The booking has prompted objections from fans, a Brent councillor and an organisation campaigning to end violence against women and girls, putting renewed attention on the allegations Manson has denied.

As pressure mounts, Wembley Stadium has confirmed that it is in dialogue with the concert promoter. The dispute also comes amid an important legal distinction: a criminal investigation into allegations against Manson ended without charges in January 2025, while a separate civil lawsuit brought by his former assistant is scheduled to go before a jury in November 2027.

Why Marilyn Manson’s Wembley Stadium Appearance Is Facing Backlash

Slipknot announced its 2027 (sic)est Stadium Tour in September, confirming Wembley Stadium in London as the opening venue for the run on July 3, 2027. The concert is being promoted as the band’s only European performance of 2027.

According to Wembley Stadium’s official event listing, Marilyn Manson, Lorna Shore and Hatebreed are scheduled to appear as special guests alongside Slipknot. Live Nation also lists all three acts as supporting performers for the London date.

The event is scheduled to open its doors at 3:30 p.m., with Live Nation listing a 10:30 p.m. curfew.

However, Manson’s inclusion has proved controversial among some Slipknot fans. Following the tour announcement, sections of the band’s audience criticised the decision, with some saying they would boycott the Wembley concert because of the allegations surrounding the musician.

NME reported that thousands of comments appeared beneath Slipknot’s social-media announcement, including messages from fans who said they would not attend the show because Manson had been booked.

The reaction has pushed the discussion beyond disagreements among concertgoers. Critics are now asking whether major venues, promoters and headline artists should reconsider working with Manson while allegations against him remain part of civil litigation.

Manson, whose real name is Brian Warner, has denied wrongdoing.

When Public Figures Face Backlash
The criticism surrounding Marilyn Manson’s Wembley booking is part of a wider pattern of public scrutiny surrounding controversial entertainment figures and their projects. For another recent example of a public figure facing online criticism over a new venture, read our Simon Leviev Safe Love dating app backlash report.

Brent Councillor Anton Georgiou Calls for Wembley Booking Review

The controversy has also reached local politics, with Councillor Anton Georgiou, leader of the Liberal Democrat Group at Brent Council, urging the council’s Labour administration to put pressure on Wembley Stadium to review the booking.

Georgiou argued that the allegations against Manson warranted greater transparency about the decision-making process behind the concert lineup. He also questioned whether the concerns had received sufficient public attention.

In a statement, Georgiou said:

“We cannot keep saying that tackling violence against women and girls is everyone’s business and then fail to ask difficult questions when it really matters. It’s disappointing that the council has not spoken out publicly about this.

“The allegations against Marilyn Manson are serious, and while he denies wrongdoing, Wembley Stadium needs to explain what consideration was given to them before this booking was confirmed.”

Georgiou subsequently clarified that his request was not an attempt to stop Manson from performing because of his views or artistic expression. Instead, he called for a review and greater openness about how the booking was approved.

He said:

“Wembley is a major institution in Brent. It has a responsibility to take these concerns seriously, not hide behind generic statements about safety and inclusion. I am asking the stadium to review this booking and be open about how the decision was made.

“This is not about censorship.”

His intervention has placed additional pressure on Wembley to address the concerns publicly. However, the stadium’s commercial event bookings are not directly controlled by Brent Council.

Brent Council Responds to Calls for Action

Brent Council has acknowledged the concerns surrounding the performance while making clear that it does not have direct authority over the commercial booking.

A council spokesperson explained that responsibility for selecting performers rests with Wembley Stadium and the event organisers.

The spokesperson said:

“Decisions about who performs at Wembley Stadium are ultimately a matter for the venue and event organisers, rather than Brent Council, which has no direct control over commercial bookings.

“That does not diminish our commitment to tackling violence against women and girls, which has no place in Brent. We are crystal clear about our values, and that is why we devote significant time, resources and effort to preventing abuse, supporting survivors and making our borough safer.

“We recognise the concerns raised about this performance and would encourage the headline act and event organisers to reflect carefully on the feedback from Brent residents and survivors of violence and abuse when making decisions about their performers.

“Our commitment to standing up for women and girls is unwavering, and we will continue to demonstrate that through our actions.”

The response reflects the council’s stated position: it supports efforts to tackle violence against women and girls but does not have the power to cancel or change Wembley’s commercial concert arrangements.

Wembley Stadium Confirms Dialogue With Concert Promoter

Wembley Stadium has addressed the controversy by explaining how event arrangements and support-act selections are handled.

The venue said concerts are agreed several months in advance and that decisions about supporting performers are at the discretion of the promoter and headline artist.

It also reiterated its commitment to the safety and wellbeing of guests, colleagues and the wider community.

According to The Standard, Wembley is liaising with Georgiou and has begun a dialogue with the promoter about the performance.

That development has not yet resulted in a publicly announced lineup change. The official Wembley listing continues to name Manson, Lorna Shore and Hatebreed as special guests for Slipknot’s July 3, 2027 concert.

The distinction matters because calls for a review do not amount to confirmation that the musician will be removed from the bill. At present, the discussions concern the booking and the concerns raised about it, rather than an announced cancellation.

End Violence Against Women Coalition Adds Its Criticism

The End Violence Against Women Coalition (EVAW) has also criticised Manson’s continued presence on major concert bills.

Janaya Walker, the coalition’s interim director, argued that the allegations against the musician raised wider questions about how the entertainment industry responds to reports of sexual assault and domestic abuse.

Walker said:

“Multiple women have reported being subjected to sexual assault and domestic abuse by Marilyn Manson, who continues to be celebrated and profit from major concert performances, including at the UK’s biggest stadium.

“Ending violence against women and girls is both everyone’s business and everyone’s responsibility.”

EVAW is a UK-wide coalition of organisations working to end violence against women and girls. Walker’s comments add an organisational voice to the calls for Wembley and the concert organisers to reconsider Manson’s involvement.

The statements from Georgiou and EVAW reflect their concerns about the booking. They do not establish the allegations as proven findings, and Manson has denied wrongdoing.

Slipknot Guitarist Jim Root Responds to Fan Criticism

The reaction has also prompted questions about Slipknot’s own involvement in the decision.

Guitarist Jim Root responded on social media after a fan challenged the band’s decision to tour with Manson. Root said he was not involved in the logistics of the band’s touring arrangements and focused instead on writing and playing guitar.

Root said:

“I stay out of the logistics of touring and all that. I concentrate on writing and being a guitarist, so forgive my ignorance about who we do shows with. There are other people with much bigger brains than I that coordinate all that and I honestly don’t keep up with new bands or new music.”

He also explained that he deliberately avoids following current musical trends.

Root wrote:

“I’m stuck listening to the same music my parents listened to when I was forming myself as a little human. And I purposely don’t listen to or pay attention to what’s ‘trending’ or what’s happening at the moment as to not get influenced by anything.”

His remarks were reported amid the criticism of Manson’s inclusion in the 2027 tour. Root did not announce that Slipknot would remove Manson from the Wembley lineup.

Marilyn Manson Legal Update: Criminal Investigation and Civil Lawsuit Explained

The controversy surrounding Manson’s booking comes against a complicated legal background. It is important to distinguish the outcome of the criminal investigation in Los Angeles from the separate civil proceedings involving former personal assistant Ashley Walters.

Los Angeles criminal investigation ended without charges

In January 2025, Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman announced that Manson would not face criminal charges following a four-year investigation into allegations of sexual assault and domestic violence.

The District Attorney’s Office explained:

“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.”

The decision meant Manson would not face a criminal trial arising from that Los Angeles investigation. It did not resolve every separate civil claim involving allegations against him.

Ashley Walters’ civil lawsuit is scheduled for November 2027

Walters filed a civil lawsuit against Manson in 2021. The case subsequently went through several procedural developments, including dismissal and revival.

In January 2026, the lawsuit was revived after California’s newly enacted Assembly Bill 250 created a temporary window for certain previously time-barred sexual-assault claims.

In June 2026, a Los Angeles judge rejected Manson’s latest attempt to have Walters’ amended complaint dismissed, allowing the civil case to continue.

A Los Angeles Superior Court judge scheduled a civil jury trial for November 15, 2027, during a case-management hearing in August 2026.

The scheduled trial is more than four months after Slipknot’s Wembley performance on July 3, 2027.

The case remains contested. The scheduled trial date does not mean Walters’ allegations have been proven, and Manson has denied wrongdoing. His legal team has also indicated that it intends to pursue further avenues to prevent the case from reaching trial.

Date	Development
2021	Ashley Walters filed a civil lawsuit against Manson.
January 2025	Los Angeles prosecutors announced that Manson would not face criminal charges following a four-year investigation.
January 2026	Walters’ case was revived following the enactment of California Assembly Bill 250.
June 2026	A judge rejected Manson’s latest attempt to dismiss Walters’ amended complaint.
August 2026	A judge scheduled the civil jury trial for November 15, 2027.
July 3, 2027	Slipknot’s Wembley concert is scheduled to take place.
November 15, 2027	Walters’ civil jury trial is scheduled to begin.

The distinction between criminal and civil proceedings is central to understanding the current situation. The Los Angeles criminal investigation concluded without charges, while Walters’ separate civil lawsuit remains active and is scheduled for trial.

Will Marilyn Manson Still Perform at Wembley in 2027?

Despite the backlash, no cancellation or removal of Manson from the Wembley bill has been announced.

Wembley Stadium continues to list the concert for Saturday, July 3, 2027, with Slipknot headlining and Marilyn Manson, Lorna Shore and Hatebreed appearing as special guests. Live Nation and Ticketmaster also continue to list the same lineup.

The concert’s future lineup has therefore not been publicly changed in response to the criticism. Wembley has confirmed dialogue with the promoter, while Georgiou and EVAW have called for the concerns raised by residents, survivors and campaigners to be taken seriously.

Meanwhile, some Slipknot fans have publicly opposed Manson’s inclusion, while others have welcomed it.

Controversy Around Major Entertainment Events
The Wembley dispute also highlights how public criticism can extend beyond the main performer and affect conversations around major entertainment events. A different example involving a high-profile sporting event and public reaction can be found in our Naomi Osaka US Open influencer controversy breakdown.

Conclusion

Marilyn Manson’s scheduled appearance at Wembley Stadium has developed into a wider debate involving concertgoers, local representatives, campaigners and event organisers. Brent councillor Anton Georgiou has called for a review, EVAW has criticised the booking, and Wembley has confirmed discussions with the promoter.

For now, the July 3, 2027 concert remains scheduled with Manson listed as a special guest. The separate Ashley Walters civil lawsuit is due to reach trial in November 2027, while the earlier Los Angeles criminal investigation ended without charges. No official announcement has confirmed a change to the Wembley lineup.

Source and Research Disclaimer: This article has been prepared using the official venue and event listings, organisational statements, legal information and news reports provided below. It reflects the information available in those sources at the time of writing and does not imply independent verification beyond the material provided. Allegations and ongoing civil proceedings are distinguished from established findings, and Marilyn Manson has denied wrongdoing.

Sources

• Wembley Stadium — Slipknot (sic)est Stadium Tour
• Live Nation UK — Slipknot: (sic)est Stadium Tour
• Ticketmaster UK — Slipknot Wembley lineup
• The Standard — Marilyn Manson Wembley controversy and Brent Council response
• Los Angeles County District Attorney — Decision on Brian Warner/Marilyn Manson allegations
• NME — Slipknot fans react to Marilyn Manson joining 2027 tour
• Pitchfork — Ashley Walters lawsuit revived in 2026 and 2027 trial update
• End Violence Against Women Coalition

Featured Image Credit: Georges Biard / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)