Knotfest Roadshow: Los Angeles
Photo by Steve Thrasher
Cruising down South Figueroa Street in early November, you may have thought the Halloween festivities had been extended into a new month. In reality, thousands of metalheads descended upon downtown Los Angeles for the final stop of the Knotfest Roadshow tour.
The highly anticipated return of Slipknot performing live was a welcoming sight, with their legion of masked fans in tow.
Banc of California Stadium, home to the LAFC soccer team, hosted the event on a chilly fall day. The open-air venue offers a 360° view of the high rise cityscape as its backdrop.
Slipknot delivered a 16-song headlining set that spanned their entire catalog. Originally hailing from Iowa, all nine members dawned their infamous headgear and offered those punishing sounds we have grown accustomed to.
Front man Corey Taylor welcomed his “brothers and sisters” back to the live experience. Beginning with “Unsainted,” the metal collective raised the energy and decibel levels instantly.
Hitting their stride during “Psychosocial,” Taylor and crew stirred the crowd up into a healthy frenzy. The stage visuals and literal fireballs pulsed through the dark stadium night.
Only 24-hours before, the band released a new single “The Chapeltown Rag,” their first offering in two years. They debuted the track live mid-set, with double drums and fierce screams aplenty.
In between tracks the singer thanked fans for their unwavering support and fellow bands alongside them. Taylor noted a clean bill of health for all parties involved and being able to fulfill the entire tour (Pelham, AL was cancelled due to weather).
From their debut album, “Wait and Bleed” brought melodic tones and felt like a culmination of the group’s storied career. They capped off the encore with fan favorite “Surfacing,” blending percussions, turntables, and guitar riffs effortlessly.
Earlier in the night, England’s Bring Me the Horizon played a blistering set. The audience moshed and sang accordingly to “Dear Diary” and “Teardrops.” They later welcomed U.K. friend YUNGBLUD on stage for their collab “Obey,” to the delight of many.
As the sun began to set, Killswitch Engage supplied a powerful performance as they typically do. “My Last Serenade” will live the test of time in metal lore. It should be noted from the matinee sets to the bitter end, a consistent pit near the stage was in full effect, and no serious injuries were reported.
L.A.’s own Fever 333 did an admirable job grabbing the afternoon crowd’s attention. Singer Jason Butler, with his maniacal stage presence, dispensed heavy guttural screams start to finish. “Made An America” was no doubt their standout banger. The front man also used a bevy of props, including a steel ladder, plastic trash can, and skateboard that left a lasting impression.
NAME THAT TRICK 🛹
We’re just gonna go ahead and drop a vote for ‘Knotslide’ @mrjasonaalon pic.twitter.com/g1BzVX8ovo
— 333 GANG (@the333gang) November 7, 2021
With activations including the Slipknot Museum outside the stadium, beer tastings, and a plethora of merchandise, rock fans were treated to a taste of everything. On a casual Friday in Los Angeles, Slipknot and company brought the ruckus. Come back soon?
Michael Silver is a journalist based in Southern California. He covers music, sports, style, and enjoys the art of story telling.