In December 2024, the legendary masked metal outfit Slipknot electrified fans at London’s famed O2 Arena as part of their massive 25th-anniversary Here Comes The Pain Tour, a celebration of a quarter-century of boundary-pushing music and visceral live shows.
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After months of touring across Europe, Slipknot brought their high-octane spectacle to the UK capital, headlining two back-to-back nights on 20 and 21 December 2024. These performances marked their first return to the O2 Arena since 2020 and capped off a historic European leg celebrating 25 years since their self-titled 1999 debut.
A Night Of Chaos, Nostalgia And Celebration
Both shows sold out, with maggots, Slipknot’s dedicated fanbase, packing the arena and roaring as the band took the stage with intense energy and precision. According to concert photographers and reviews, the stage production combined imposing visuals, punishing sound, and a palpable connection between band and audience that only a milestone tour could spark.
Frontman Corey Taylor made a heartfelt acknowledgment to London’s importance in Slipknot’s history, describing the city as a “home away from home” for the band, recalling how UK crowds embraced them early in their career. This emotional resonance was clear as the band tore through a setlist that blended beloved classics with deep cuts and rarities.
Setlist Highlights
The December 20 show featured a career-spanning setlist that opened with fan-favourites like “(sic)”, “Eyeless” and “Wait and Bleed”, followed by songs from across their catalogue such as “Prosthetics”, “No Life” and “Only One”. The encore culminated in powerful performances of “Spit It Out”, “Surfacing” and an extended rendition of “Scissors”, the first time the latter was played in London in a quarter-century.
The band’s ability to revisit deep cuts alongside their more iconic material gave longtime fans exactly what they’d hoped for: a celebration not just of hits but of the band’s enduring influence and evolution.
Support And Atmosphere
Scottish metal outfit Bleed From Within opened the London dates, setting an intense tone before Slipknot’s explosive sets began.
Both nights were remembered by fans for their raw energy and memorable crowd interactions, with many taking to social platforms to share stories of their first Slipknot experience or emotions sparked by the band’s immersive performance.
Legacy And Looking Forward
The O2 Arena shows were more than just concerts; they were a milestone in Slipknot’s storied career. Marking 25 years of reshaping metal with unrelenting aggression and creative audacity, these London performances stood as a testament to the band’s lasting bond with fans around the world.
As the Here Comes The Pain Tour wrapped in the UK’s capital, fans departed with memories of a night filled with controlled chaos, visceral music, and a community united by one of metal’s most enduring forces.
For those who couldn’t attend, recordings and videos from the performances have circulated online, capturing the spirit of what was unmistakably one of Slipknot’s most electrifying stops in recent years.
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