Slipknot percussionist Shawn ‘Clown’ Crahan was absent from the band’s headline show at Sonic Temple Festival last weekend due to “medical reasons”.
The masked group played a 14-track set at the Historic Crew Stadium in Columbus, Ohio on Sunday (May 19) as part of the hard rock and metal event’s final day.
Early in the gig, frontman Corey Taylor told the crowd that Slipknot were “missing one of our brothers”. He went on to explain that Clown had “broke a tooth [and] had to have it removed” the day before.
Taylor continued: “There is an issue. He had to stay home for medical reasons, but he insisted that we come here and fucking play this fucking show for each and every goddamn one of you, man.”
The singer went on to say that Clown was “missed” by his bandmates, adding: “He is essential. And goddammit, on the count of three, I want you to fucking tell him all that he is so fucking loved.”
From there, Slipknot launched into a live rendition of ‘Before I Forget’ from their 2004 album ‘Vol. 3: (The Subliminal Verses)’. Check out fan-shot footage of the moment here:
In 2021, Clown was forced to miss Slipknot’s set at Welcome To Rockville after undergoing surgery on a torn bicep tendon. He had sustained the injury during a performance at Knotfest in LA.
Slipknot recently announced their first song with their new drummer Eloy Casagrande, titled ‘Long May You Die’.
The band confirmed that Casagrande – the former drummer of Brazilian metal outfit Sepultura – had joined the line-up in April. He made his onstage debut at a last-minute intimate show at the Pappy + Harriet’s barbecue bar in Pioneertown, California.
Casagrande took over the role from Jay Weinberg, who was fired from Slipknot late last year. The group also parted ways with longtime sampler and keyboardist Craig Jones in June 2023.
Slipknot released their latest studio album, ‘The End, So Far’, in September 2022 – marking their final full-length project on Roadrunner Records.
Last December, founding member Shawn ‘Clown’ Crahan spoke to NME about what 2024 had in store for the group.
“I’m ready to move on from what has been, and move onto a world that I know needs to be. For instance, normally we’d have about two years on and one-and-a-half years off – we’re not doing that anymore,” he explained.
“We’re going back to basics. I’m ready to kick everybody in the face again! I’m ready to do a 100-person venue again! I’m ready to do a 500-person venue…”
Slipknot are set to embark on their ‘Here Comes The Pain’ 25th anniversary tour in North America this August, with Knocked Loose and more appearing as special guests at the shows. Find any remaining tickets here.
A run of European and UK gigs will follow in December, including two performances at The O2 in London. You can see Slipknot’s 2024 UK dates below, and find any remaining tickets here.
Slipknot’s upcoming UK shows are:
DECEMBER
14 – First Direct Arena, Leeds
15 – OVO Hydro, Glasgow
17 – Co-op Live, Manchester
18 – Utilita Arena, Birmingham
20 – The O2, London
21 – The O2, London
In a previous statement about this year’s tour, Clown explained: “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.”
According to a press release, Slipknot’s upcoming run will be “especially explosive” and promises to be a “spectacle of sound and sight without comparison”.
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