Slipknot is the latest act to put shows on ice due to fears over the fast-spreading coronavirus. The masked metalers announced on Wednesday (March 4) that they were postponing a tour of Asia that included stops at the Singapore Rock Fest (March 24), Hammersonic Festival in Jakarta, Indonesia (March 27) and the Amoranto Stadium in Manila, Philippines (March 29).
The run of shows was slated to include two Knotfest gigs in Tokyo, Japan, which have also been postponed. “In light of global health concerns, Slipknot have decided to postpone their upcoming Asian tour, including Knotfest Japan,” the band wrote in a note to fans. “While decisions like this are not easy, the safety and well-being of the band’s fan always comes first. Furthermore in this case, the bands and artists, crew and local employees are also equally effected, and as such, this was the only responsible decision that could be made.”
The group promised that they would return to Asia (with Knotfest) “very soon.”
The move by Slipknot comes as a number of other bands and festivals have announced postponements or cancelations as the COVID-19 virus continues to spread across the world, which has killed more than 3,200 so far, with more than 95,000 confirmed cases worldwide so far. Miami and Abu Dhabi’s Ultra Music Festivals have been canceled and a number of technology and entertainment companies have pulled out of the upcoming SXSW Music Festival.
On the hard rock roster, Whitesnake, Sons of Apollo and the Michael Schenker fest have all been hit with cancelations due fears over the virus’ spread. Whitesnake’s Flesh & Blood World tour dates in Japan have been postponed, with the band working to reschedule the dates. Sons of Apollo said they were “absolutely devastated” to put the brakes on their tour of Europe, Russia and the Ukraine.
Schenker said it is with “great sadness” that the Michael Schenker Fest tour in Japan has been canceled.
