Slipknot‘s Shawn ‘Clown’ Crahan has revealed that he wants the band to perform at the 2028 Olympic Games – see what the percussionist had to say below.
READ MORE: Slipknot’s Clown talks 2024 tour and new material: “This band has never been happier”
In a new chat with Metal Hammer, Clown spoke of Gojira‘s history-making performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics opening ceremony, where they became the first-ever metal act to play for the long-running international sporting tournament.
Clown said of Gojira’s performance: “I got goosebumps. I know this is going to sound stupid, but I’m just so proud of them. I know the word ‘proud’ probably sounds weird coming from me but that band is so incredible, and they’re friends of ours, and Mario [Duplantier] is one of my favourite drummers in hard rock.”
He continued: “When I saw the performance, I was just proud to have them do that. What a huge, huge honour, what a huge performance. And what an enormous metaphor: you have all these wonderful athletes, the best of the best of the best together, and someone involved thought, ‘We should get Gojira to open this up…’ Like, Gojira are the gold medal.”
Shawn “Clown” Crahan of Slipknot photo by Chelsea Guglielmino
When asked if Slipknot would be open to performing at the Olympics, Crahan said: “Of course! We’d love to do it. You’re gonna start to see Slipknot do some weird shit. We’ve reached the point where, you know, we want to play the Grammys, we want to play the Olympics. Why not? We’ve done the standard circuit already, for 25 years, and in the future we are going to be everywhere. “
Speaking to NME about their plans for their shows and the future, Shawn ‘Clown’ Crahan said late last year: “In 25 years of writing seven albums, we’ve allowed ourselves to do anything and everything we want. We do what we want, as much as we want, when we want, how we want. 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 continued: “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. We want to play in front of 500 people, but there are a lot of factors that will mean it can’t happen. We’re at the point where we’ve got to ensure safety.”
Shawn “Clown” Crahan of Slipknot performs on stage. CREDIT: Katja Ogrin/Redferns/Getty Images
“As far as the new album, that’s happening, but that’s another plan. These live dates are coming first and we’re here to have a good time. This band has never been happier, and that takes a lot because we’ve been through a lot — drugs, women, money, fame, ego, isolation. But we are on track.”
Slipknot are currently on their ‘Here Comes The Pain’ tour of North America, which celebrates the 25th anniversary of their 1999 self-titled debut album. They have been playing the record in full, including at a show at New York’s Madison Square Garden, which you can watch in full here.
For all of the anniversary shows, the band have revived their classic look, bringing back the red jumpsuits and elements of their early masks.
Slipknot. Credit: Jonathan Weiner
Slipknot are back on the road later this year, with a UK and European tour to celebrate 25 years as a band – you can purchase tickets here.
The metal giants will kick off the tour at Ziggo Dome in Amsterdam on December 5, 2024, before heading onto a trio of shows in Germany, followed by dates in Zürich and Paris. The band will then continue to Leeds, Glasgow, Manchester and Birmingham and will wrap up at London’s O2 Arena on December 20. Check out the full dates here:
Slipknot’s 2024 UK and European tour dates are:
DECEMBER
5 – Amsterdam, Netherlands, Ziggo Dome
6 – Dortmund, Germany, Westfalenhalle
8 – Stuttgart, Germany, Schleyerhalle
9 – Leipzig, Germany, Quarterback Immobilien Arena
11 – Zürich, Switzerland, Hallenstadion
12 – Paris, France, Accorhotel Arena
14 – Leeds, UK, First Direct Arena
15 – Glasgow, UK, OVO Hydro
17 – Manchester, UK, Co-op Live Arena
18 – Birmingham, UK, Utilita Arena
20 – London, UK, O2 Arena
Most recently, frontman Corey Taylor has revealed that he’s making changes to his touring schedule and routine after he previously cancelled a North American solo tour, citing struggles with his well-being in January.
Last month, the band’s DJ Sid Wilson was hospitalised for serious burns to his face and arms after a bonfire explosion, but has been confirmed for a return to the stage soon.
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