It's been a quarter of a century Slipknot first came together in Iowa, and now the heavy metal band plan to celebrate with a huge 2024 tour across the UK and Europe.
And the band plan to bring Scottish rockets Bleed From Within on tour for the ride.
For their 25th anniversary, Slipknot will be touring around the UK and Europe, including three stops right here in the north.
Having released six albums, the band is well known for its 'explosive' energy and theatrics on stage, producing nuu metal sounds influenced by the likes of Kiss and Limp Bizkit amongst others over the past 25 years.
The full details of the tour are yet to be released, but it is expected that the band will cover a range of hits, spanning right from their 1999 self-titled album to So Far, The End, which was released in 2022.
Here in Leeds, the First Direct Arena will host the band on Saturday 14 December for their first UK show, before moving onto Manchester on Tuesday 17 December to play at the Co-op Live Arena and Birmingham's Utilita Arena on Wednesday 18 December 2024.
The full list of European tour dates are as follows:
Thursday 5 December 2024 - Amsterdam, Netherlands - Ziggo Dome Friday 6 December 2024 - Dortmund, Germany - Westfalenhalle Sunday 8 December 2024 - Stuttgart, Germany - Schleyerhalle Monday 9 December 2024 - Leipzig, Germany - Quarterback Immobilien Arena Wednesday 11 December 2024 - Zurich, Switzerland - Hallenstadion Thursday 12 December 2024 - Paris, France - Accorhotel Arena Saturday 14 December 2024 - Leeds, UK - First Direct Arena Sunday 15 December 2024 - Glasgow, UK - Ovo Hydro Tuesday 17 December 2024 - Manchester, UK - Co-op Live Arena Wednesday 18 December 2024 - Birmingham, UK - Utilita Arena Friday 20 December 2024 - London, UK - O2 Arena
In a press statement reported by NME, Clown said: “It has been 25 years since we first played on the continent, and we’ve been back ever since [.] The memories I have from all those times are life changing, and we’re ready to make more. I’m so excited to bring our 25 year Anniversary tour to Europe and the UK. Be prepared for an energy you’ve never experienced before. It’s happening.”
Tickets go on sale on Friday 15 December 2023 at 9am, and pre-sale the day before. You can register for pre-sale tickets or join the queue on Friday via LiveNation here.
Feature Image - Live Nation
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Grassroots Leeds music venue secures long-term future as part of community ownership scheme
Northern Guitars in Leeds has had its long-term future secured after the building has been purchased as part of a nationwide community ownership initiative.
If you've ever been on a night out on Call Lane, then you will know of (or have heard) Northern Guitars.
It's about as grassroots as it gets, a proper intimate venue supporting artists of all levels.
And now the much-loved city centre venue, which has become a staple of Leeds' music scene, is one of the latest independent music venues to benefit from a scheme designed to protect cultural spaces from the pressures of the commercial property market.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The space has been acquired by community benefit society Music Venue Properties (MVP), an organisation set up by the Music Venue Trust to buy the buildings occupied by grassroots venues and rent them back to operators on long-term agreements.
The move means the brilliant Northern Guitars can continue doing what it does best without the uncertainty that often comes with being in an increasingly challenging landscape.
MVP was launched in 2022 in response to the growing number of grassroots venues disappearing across the UK. According to the organisation, more than a third of the country's grassroots music venues have closed over the last two decades, with many struggling due to short-term leases and rising property costs.
Since launching, MVP has raised more than £7 million through community investment and funding, using the money to secure permanent homes for venues that play a vital role in nurturing emerging artists and supporting local music scenes.
This is a proper win for Northern Guitars and we're absolutely chuffed to know that they'll be going absolutely nowhere.
Opening party announced for Leeds’ newest XL nightclub taking over the old PRYZM site
Clementine Hall
Leeds-based events brand Mint has officially revealed the location of its highly anticipated new venue, Mint XL.
And it's set to open in none other than the iconic former PRYZM nightclub site on Woodhouse Lane in the heart of Leeds city centre.
Known for its longstanding contribution to the city's electronic music landscape through Mint Festival, the brand is now embarking on its most ambitious venue project to date with the launch of a completely reimagined 2,500-capacity space.
The vast space is currently undergoing an extensive redevelopment and full-scale renovation, which will see Mint XL transformed into a state-of-the-art venue built around high-spec production, immersive experiences and forward-thinking programming.
Of course, it's all about the music. So at the heart of the venue is a major commitment to sound and production with a newly installed Funktion-One Vero sound system throughout the main space complemented by cutting-edge lighting, immersive visual production and bespoke room design.
Enough of the details though, let's get stuck into when it's actually going to open its doors.
Mint XL will officially launch on Friday 25 September with an opening party curated by renowned electronic music platform system which aims to set the tone for an ambitious inaugural season.
Taking over the entire venue, the event will bring together some of the most respected and influential names in underground electronic music, including Craig Richards, Enzo Siragusa, Fumiya Tanaka and Sonja Moonear, alongside a carefully selected lineup of acclaimed artists from across the scene.
Also on the line up is none other than Francesco Del Garda, Truly Madly, Prosumer, Laidlaw, Rich NXT, Voightmann, Foehn & Jerome Kinso, Isabelle Koci and of course long standing residents Annie Errez & Bobby ODonnell.
Tickets for the opening party for Mint XL will go live this Thursday 6 June at 6pm and you can get yours here.
Sophie Smith -
11th December 2023 
