Slipknot remains a leading choice for headlining major music festivals, but what are the thoughts of percussionist Shawn “Clown” Crahan regarding the evolving landscape of hard rock and metal festivals? In a recent interview with NME, he expressed his concerns about the diminishing presence of fresh, innovative headliners emerging from the new generation of artists.

Clown’s Insights on Embracing New Talent at Festivals

During the discussion, Clown was asked for his perspective on Download Festival’s decision to feature Sleep Token as one of their headliners for 2025, a move that positions an up-and-coming, buzzworthy band at the forefront of the lineup. He stated, “They have their niche and they must be doing their business well. The old me might have torn it down, but the new me, the real me, is just like ‘Hey, it’s always up to the fans’. The fans let the business people know what to do. The fans speak and the business people listen,” reflecting a shift in his mindset toward the acceptance of emerging artists.

Clown elaborated, “They must be very popular, and you’ve got to remember that there’s not a lot of good music out there. There just isn’t. In my opinion, these days there are so many horrible bands right now. I’ve seen Sleep Token, I’ve watched them for a bit and I’ve downloaded their stuff. They have their niche and they have a fan base,” emphasizing the importance of fan engagement in shaping festival lineups and the music industry at large.

READ MORE: Download Festival Organizer Responds to Sleep Token Headlining Criticism

While the band’s ascension to headliner status has sparked debates among U.K. music enthusiasts, Clown remarked, “It doesn’t matter if it has divided [Download fans] because that means 50 percent are getting what they want. I no longer worry about these sorts of things, I just worry about being me and about being in the moment. If they’re a good band, and if they work hard – as it seems like they do – they deserve everything they get.” His perspective underscores the importance of artistic merit and hard work in an industry often driven by trends.

Clown’s Concerns About the Future of Headliners in Rock Music

Clown’s remarks regarding the next generation of headliners captured attention, prompting the interviewer to inquire whether it is the responsibility of festival organizers to take risks on these emerging talents. He reiterated his apprehensions about the future of music, stating, “As I was saying, there are so many horrible bands who are going to be our future headliners. You don’t want me to start naming off names, because we’ll both start laughing and laughing.” He pointed out that the current climate of music is witnessing a decline in quality, attributing it to the accessibility of the industry facilitated by technology. “We’re seeing the backlash of the computer and we’re seeing the backlash of everybody being able to get in [to the music industry]. But where is everybody that got in and did it themselves? They all need validation,” he stated.

Clown went on to express, “I didn’t get in a band to get validated. I validated myself. When someone said I needed to work harder, I worked fucking harder. I didn’t need the internet, or socials, or anything to validate me. We have a real problem now, and bands that are good these days – which is few and far – are being prepped for this future.” He highlighted bands like Bring Me The Horizon as examples of groups that have successfully navigated the music landscape and achieved recognition through their hard work and talent.

He concluded, “Great bands are being pushed into these new circumstances. What else do we have [without artists like that] – a bunch of crap bands that won’t draw tickets. So yes, the business people need to take chances and push these few good bands in the right direction.” His insights suggest a pressing need for industry leaders to take bold steps in promoting quality music.

Upcoming Plans for Slipknot in 2024 and 2025

Slipknot has spent a considerable amount of time celebrating the 25th anniversary of their groundbreaking debut album. They are wrapping up the current year with a series of performances in the U.K., while also gearing up for an exciting tour schedule in Australia and Europe set for the upcoming year. Fans can find ticketing information through their official website, ensuring they don’t miss the chance to see Slipknot live.

In addition, Clown recently confirmed that he has handed over the long-awaited Look Outside Your Window album to their management team to establish a release strategy, which raises the possibility of the album finally being available to fans in 2025.