SLIPKNOT's 'Knotfest' Travelling Festival 'Started Out Of Necessity And Opportunity'

SLIPKNOT's longtime manager Cory Brennan of 5B Management spoke to Music Week about the band's own traveling festival Knotfest. Launched in 2012, Knotfest has been held across the globe, playing in the states, as well as Mexico, Japan and Colombia. Artists like DEFTONES, FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH, PAPA ROACH and BRING ME THE HORIZON have played Knotfest in the past.

"Knotfest started out of necessity and opportunity, chiefly a need in North America," said Brennan. "There was Rock On The Range, but there weren't any other heavy music destinations out there. They were all being hipster. There was nothing for rock bands in many parts of the U.S. We went into areas where there was no competition, where no one was thinking about the fans there, and we did it. The first one was in Omaha, Nebraska, the second one was in Wisconsin — they were back to back and it was amazing."

He continued: "They've created a community that can travel from country to country and resonate with 50,000-100,000 fans each time and it's not like anything else."

According to Brennan, SLIPKNOT is currently talking to promoters about Knotfest Moscow, South Africa, Santiago, São Paulo and more. This month, the band will also play its first Knotfest in Europe.

"The first one is in Clisson, France, the day before Hellfest starts," Brennan told Music Week. "You buy a separate ticket to Knotfest and a separate ticket to Hellfest. We're at 40,000 tickets, and it'll sell out. Now we're getting approached about doing Knotfest in Germany, Switzerland, and throughout Europe."

The first-ever Knotfest took place seven years ago in Council Bluffs, Iowa and moved two years later to San Bernardino, California. In 2016, SLIPKNOT and OZZY OSBOURNE joined forces for the first-ever Ozzfest Meets Knotfest, featuring both acts performing headlining sets on different days.