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Knotfest
Knotfest
Knotfest
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Knotfest
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Years active
  • 2012
  • 2014–2019
  • 2021–present
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Knotfest is a music festival created in 2012 by American heavy metal band Slipknot and their longtime manager and CEO of 5B Artist Management, Cory Brennan. The event has been held both as a destination festival and touring festival in several countries including the United States, Canada and Mexico in North America; Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Colombia in South America; Finland, France, Germany, United Kingdom* in Europe, Japan in Asia; and Australia.

Aside from Slipknot, Knotfest has featured a diverse alumni of past performers including metal acts Korn, Deftones, Bring Me the Horizon, Avenged Sevenfold, Limp Bizkit, Lamb of God, Gojira, Judas Priest, Bad Omens; Hardcore bands Turnstile and Knocked Loose; Hip-Hop acts $UICIDEBOY$ and Ghostface Killah and many more[1]

History

[edit]

Creation

[edit]

Knotfest was officially announced on June 4, 2012. Among the activities, the festival offered as part of its "dark carnival experience" were circus big-top tents, pillars of fire, amusement park rides, burlesque performers, firebreathers, stilt walkers, drum circles made of junkyard cars and graffiti walls. The two shows also debuted a Slipknot museum.[2]

"It's all about having fun and going crazy, bringing it to the standard it used to be," Slipknot's Shawn "Clown" Crahan told Rolling Stone. "It's time for us to really engulf this idea known as Knotfest where we're in control, we make a day devoted to our mindset, our ideas, the people that we want to play with, the people that we think our fans want to be around... When everyone leaves their senses [will be] overloaded, and I'm talking about smells, sights, hearing, your body, everything is overloaded with stimulation, because that's what Slipknot does."[2]

The inaugural Knotfest was a two-city event and took place on August 17, 2012, in Council Bluffs, Iowa, and August 18, 2012, in Somerset, Wisconsin.[3] Among the line-up were bands such as Deftones, Lamb of God, and Cannibal Corpse.[2] On March 24, 2014, it was officially announced that "Knotfest Japan" would be held in November 15 and 16 at Makuhari Messe, Tokyo.[4] Headliners were Slipknot, Korn, Limp Bizkit, Lamb of God, Five Finger Death Punch, Papa Roach, Bring Me the Horizon, Trivium and In Flames. On the first date of the Mayhem Festival 2014, Knotfest 2014 was announced, with it being held at the San Manuel Amphitheater in San Bernardino, California, on October 24–26.[5] Knotfest 2015 was to be held at the same location, from October 23 through 25. In December 2019, it was announced that Knotfest would be held in the United Kingdom for the first time in 2020.[6]

Broadcast

[edit]

On July 11, Slipknot announced that their closing performance at Knotfest would be broadcast via a pay-per-view streaming website.[7] Shawn "Clown" Crahan said, "It means everything for everyone to see the live spectacle we're creating in the flesh, but we understand some fans around the world can't be at the show. We've now made it possible for you to be there in spirit - so join us live on August 18."[7]

Website

[edit]

On May 27, 2020, Slipknot and 5B Management relaunched the Knotfest website as a "global media hub" for news, interviews and more.[8][9][10]

Knotfest launched Hardlore: Stories from Tour hosted by Colin Young and Bo Lueders on March 22, 2022.[11] The series is routinely in the Top 25 of Music Podcast charts and the top weekly heavy music podcast [12]

The Knotfest site is home to She's With the Band, a weekly podcast hosted by Tori Kravitz that focuses on women in the music industry.[13]

In addition, Knotfest is the home to the guitar driven interview series, Defender of the Riff hosted by Daniel Dekay [14] which has appeared live at Blue Ridge Rock Festival[15] and will be appearing at Download Festival in 2025;[16] as well as the behind the scenes docu-series Beyond the Breakdown [17] hosted by Tori Kravitz.

Performers

[edit]

2012 line-up

[edit]
Friday 17 August[18] Saturday 18 August[18]
Main Stage Second Stage Main Stage Second Stage

Slipknot
Deftones
Serj Tankian
Prong

Lamb of God
Machine Head
The Urge
Dirtfedd

Slipknot
Deftones
Serj Tankian
The Dillinger Escape Plan

Lamb of God
Machine Head
Cannibal Corpse
Disconnect Hardcore (Ph)
Prong
Gojira

2014 line-up

[edit]

California

[edit]
Friday 24 October
Stage 002 Stage 003 Campground Stage

Suicide Silence
Butcher Babies
Alterbeast

The Black Dahlia Murder
Chelsea Grin

The Athiarchists

Saturday 25 October
Rockstar Energy Drink Main Stage Stage 002 Stage 003 Headbang for the Highway Stage 004 Extreme Stage 005 Campground Stage

Slipknot
Danzig
Anthrax
Black Label Society
Hatebreed

Testament
Carcass
Maximum the Hormone
King 810
Man with a Mission

In This Moment
The Devil Wears Prada
Butcher Babies
Miss May I
One Ok Rock

The Faceless
Stands with Fists
Dehumanizer
Kings of Carnage
Play for Blood
Shortfuse

Fear Factory
Otep
Prong
Amen
Immolation

The Athiarchists

Sunday 26 October
Rockstar Energy Drink Main Stage Stage 002 Stage 003 Headbang for the Highway Stage 004 Extreme Stage 005 Campground Stage

Slipknot
Five Finger Death Punch
Volbeat
Tech N9ne
Atreyu
Hellyeah

Of Mice & Men
DevilDriver
Veil of Maya
Nothing More

Killswitch Engage
Whitechapel
Upon a Burning Body
Anti Mortem

Dead for Denver
Motograter
Fire from the Gods
I, of Helix
A Threat to the Enemy
Still Not Dead

Napalm Death
Avatar
Attika 7
Exmortus
Rattlehead

The Athiarchists

Japan

[edit]
Saturday 15 November Sunday 16 November

Slipknot
Limp Bizkit
Lamb of God
Papa Roach
Bring Me the Horizon
Miss May I
One Ok Rock
SiM
Crossfaith
coldrain
Meaning
Crystal Lake
HenLee

Slipknot
Korn
Trivium
In Flames
Five Finger Death Punch
Amon Amarth
Maximum the Hormone
Man with a Mission
Wagdug Futuristic Unity
AA=
Knock Out Monkey
Make My Day
Silhouette from the Skylit

2015 line-up

[edit]

California

[edit]
Friday 23 October
VIP + Camping Kickoff Party

Sepultura
The Faceless
Rings of Saturn
Khaotika
Motorbreath

Saturday 24 October
Rockstar Energy Drink Main Stage Stage 002 Stage 003 Extreme Stage 004 Headbang for the Highway Stage 005 Campground Stage

Judas Priest
Korn
Mastodon
Trivium
Corrosion of Conformity

Body Count
At the Gates
Red Fang
Battlecross

Gwar
Born of Osiris
Earth Crisis
Goatwhore

Kataklysm
Belphegor
Inquisition
Abysmal Dawn
Her Name in Blood
Khaotika

Fire from the Gods
Buried Under Texas
Doomsday Mourning
Born for War
A Tragedy at Hand
Grand Lord High Master
Piece in Terror
Short Fuse
Green as Emerald
Kaustik
Skyburial
This Place Is a Zoo
Chasing the Bullet

Street Drum Corps

Sunday 25 October
Rockstar Energy Drink Main Stage Stage 002 Stage 003 Extreme Stage 004 Headbang for the Highway Stage 005 Campground Stage

Slipknot
Bring Me the Horizon
Clutch
Ghostface Killah
Mobb Deep

Suicidal Tendencies
All That Remains
Beartooth
Kyng

Cannibal Corpse
Helmet
Snot
Devour the Day

Dying Fetus
Disgorge
Internal Bleeding
Green Death
The ReAktion
Kings of Carnage

I, of Helix
Proletariat
Avoid the Void
Abhor
A Threat to the Enemy
Stands with Fists
Paranova
Everybody Panic!
As Oceans
Dead Animal Assembly Plant
Speaking with Ghost
Xero for Life
The Darkest Day

Street Drum Corps

Mexico

[edit]
Saturday 5 December
Main Stage Tecate Stage

Slipknot
Megadeth
Lamb of God
HIM
A Day to Remember
Trivium
Atreyu
Asking Alexandria
Tanus

Cradle of Filth
Ill Niño
The Dillinger Escape Plan
Brujeria
Resorte
36 Crazyfists
Here Comes the Kraken
Everyone Likes Cathleen

2016 line-up

[edit]

"Ozzfest Meets Knotfest" California

[edit]
Friday 23 September

Armored Saint
Metal Church
Exmortus
Thrown into Exile

Saturday 24 September
Lemmy Stage Monster Energy Drink Stage 001 Monster Energy Drink Stage 002 Nuclear Blast Stage

Black Sabbath
Disturbed
Megadeth
Opeth
Black Label Society
Rival Sons

Suicidal Tendencies
DevilDriver
Huntress

Hatebreed
Goatwhore
Allegaeon

Municipal Waste
Brujeria
Kataklysm
The Shrine
Still Rebel

Sunday 25 September
Lemmy Stage Rockstar Energy Drink Stage 001 Rockstar Energy Drink Stage 002 Nuclear Blast Stage

Slipknot
Slayer
Amon Amarth
Anthrax
Trivium
Motionless in White

Sabaton
Suicide Silence
Butcher Babies

Overkill
Emmure
Man with a Mission

Whitechapel
Combichrist
Carnifex
Loathe
SiM
ONI
Westfield Massacre

Mexico

[edit]
Saturday 15 October
Main Stage Iowa Stage

Avenged Sevenfold
Slayer
Marilyn Manson
Disturbed
Chevelle
Alesana
Attila
S7N

Meshuggah
Killswitch Engage
Sevendust
Hatebreed
DevilDriver
The Black Dahlia Murder
Volumes
Arcadia Libre

Sunday 16 October
Main Stage Iowa Stage

Slipknot
Deftones
The Offspring
Ministry
Enter Shikari
Emmure
Thell Barrio
Fire from the Gods

Opeth
Arch Enemy
Iced Earth
Carcass
Animals as Leaders
Agora
Nothing More
Sabrina Sabrok
Joliette

Japan

[edit]
Saturday 5 November Sunday 6 November

Slipknot
Deftones
Disturbed
A Day to Remember
Hoobastank
Issues
SiM
Rize
Rottengraffty
Oldcodex
coldrain
Crystal Lake
A Crowd of Rebellion
Survive Said the Prophet
Jealkb
The Sixth Lie

Slipknot
Marilyn Manson
Lamb of God
In Flames
Anthrax
Butcher Babies
Man with a Mission
the GazettE
Crossfaith
MUCC
Her Name in Blood
Crazy N' Sane
THE冠 (THE Kanmuri)
魔法少女になり隊 (Mahō Shōjo ni Nari-tai)
彼女 in the Display (Kanojo in the Display)
Salty Dog

2017 line-up

[edit]

Mexico

[edit]
Saturday 28 October
Tecate Stage Day of the Gusano Stage The Maggots Stage

A Perfect Circle
Korn
Stone Sour
Bullet for My Valentine
Cannibal Corpse
Ill Niño
Maximum the Hormone
Deadly Apples
Cerberus

Anthrax
Children of Bodom
Hatebreed
Suicide Silence
S7N
Here Comes the Kraken
Lack of Remorse

Anti-Flag
Periphery
Tech N9ne
Attila
ONI
Parazit

Ozzfest Meets Knotfest 2017

[edit]
Friday November 3

Monster Magnet
Brant Bjork
Sasquatch
Lo-Pain

Saturday 4 November
Lemmy Stage Monster Energy Drink Stage 001 Monster Energy Drink Stage 002 Nuclear Blast Stage

Ozzy Osbourne
Prophets of Rage
Deftones
Children of Bodom
Orange Goblin

Kreator
Baroness
High on Fire
Iron Reagan

1349
Havok
Tombs
Night Demon
Thrown into Exile

Municipal Waste
Possessed
Kataklysm
Suffocation
Rings of Saturn

Sunday 5 November
Lemmy Stage Rockstar Energy Drink Stage 001 Rockstar Energy Drink Stage 002 Nuclear Blast Stage

Rob Zombie
Marilyn Manson
Stone Sour
Eighteen Visions
Prayers[19]

Testament
The Black Dahlia Murder
Code Orange
Stitched Up Heart
Goatwhore

Life of Agony
Upon a Burning Body
Death Angel
Oni
Ded

Sid Wilson of Slipknot
Repulsion
Exhumed
Warbringer
Ghoul
Zombie Eating Horse

2018 line-up

[edit]

Colombia

[edit]
Friday 26 October

Judas Priest
Helloween
Kreator
Arch Enemy
Masacre
Iron Reagan
Revocation
Goatwhore
Kilcrops
Under Threat
Cuentos de los Hermanos Grind
Pitbull

Mexico

[edit]

Canceled due to lack of organization.[20]

2019 line-up

[edit]

Knotfest meets Hellfest 2019 France

[edit]
Thursday 20 June[21]

Slipknot
Rob Zombie
Sabaton
Amon Amarth
Papa Roach
Powerwolf
Behemoth
Ministry
Sick of It All
Amaranthe

Knotfest Roadshow 2019 USA & Canada

[edit]
Lineup[22]

Slipknot
Volbeat
Gojira
Behemoth

Knotfest meets Forcefest 2019 Mexico

[edit]
Knotfest 30 November
Main Stage Tecate Stage Monster Energy Stage Prudence Stage

Slipknot (cancelled)
Evanescence (cancelled)
Cherry Bombs
Behemoth
Stratovarius
Chelsea Grin
Carajo
Tanus
Here Comes the Kraken
Matherya

Godsmack
Bullet for My Valentine
Papa Roach
Nothing More
Of Mice & Men
Cemican
Never Again
Headcrusher
Kaizan

311
Suicidal Tendencies
The Bronx
8 Kalacas
Las Poker
Project46
Arcadia Libre
Parazit
Hate Bullets
Hankside

Carcass
Belphegor
Gore and Carnage
Clandestino
The Suffering
Stone Leek
Rejexion
Ubon
Torcido Monkey Dream
Dethdealers
The Legion of Hetheria
AFK

Colombia

[edit]
Friday 6 December
Knot Stage Carnaval Stage Alternative Stage

Slipknot
Behemoth
Testament
Unleashed
A.N.I.M.A.L.
Random Revenge
Reencarnación

W.A.S.P.
Accept
Cherry Bombs
Stratovarius
Perpetual Warfare
Arzen

Carnifex
Koyi K Utho
Aire Como Plomo
Poker
Gutgrinder

2021

[edit]

Iowa

[edit]
Saturday 25 September
Stage 1 Stage 2

Slipknot
Suicideboys
Gojira
Tech N9ne
Knocked Loose
Gatecreeper
Widow7

Megadeth
Lamb of God
Trivium
Fever 333
Turnstile
Vended

Knotfest Roadshow USA

[edit]
Lineup

Slipknot
Killswitch Engage
Fever 333
Code Orange

Los Angeles

[edit]
5 November

Slipknot
Bring Me the Horizon
Cherry Bombs
Killswitch Engage
Fever 333
Code Orange
Vended

2022

[edit]

Knotfest Roadshow USA & Canada

[edit]

Jinjer was announced to appear in the first leg, but cancelled due to the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine, their homeland.[23]

March 16 - April 17 May 18 - June 18 September 20 - October 7

Slipknot
In This Moment
Wage War

Slipknot
Cypress Hill
Ho99o9

Slipknot
Ice Nine Kills
Crown the Empire

Germany

[edit]
30 July

Slipknot
In Flames
Ghostemane
Meshuggah
Jinjer
Tesseract
Bleed from Within
Malevolence
Cattle Decapitation
Vended

Finland

[edit]
Friday 12 August
Main Stage Pulse of the Maggots Stage

Nightwish
Lamb of God
Arch Enemy
Stam1na
Timo Rautiainen & Trio Niskalaukaus

Huora
Lähiöbotox
Sara
Bloodred Hourglass

Saturday 13 August
Main Stage Pulse of the Maggots Stage

Slipknot
Bring Me the Horizon
Cradle of Filth
Tesseract
Blind Channel

Huoratron
Moon Shot
Medeia
Stoned Statues
Shiraz Lane

Knotfest Roadshow Argentina

[edit]
8 December 13 December 15 December
Movistar Arena C Complejo Art Media

Slipknot
Arde La Sangre

Judas Priest
Horcas

Trivium
.MAR

Colombia

[edit]
9 December

Judas Priest
Pantera
Bring Me the Horizon
Venom
Trivium
Sepultura
Hypocrisy
Vended
Suicide Silence
Samael
Walls of Jericho
Acutor
Ceguera
Templa in Cinere
Ratos de Porão

Chile

[edit]
11 December

Slipknot
Judas Priest
Pantera
Bring Me the Horizon
Mr. Bungle
Trivium
Sepultura
Vended
Rama (cancelled)
Weichafe (cancelled)
Tenemos Explosivos

Brazil

[edit]
18 December
Knotstage Carnival Stage

Slipknot
Bring Me the Horizon
Mr. Bungle
Motionless in White (cancelled)
Vended
Project46
Black Pantera

Judas Priest
Pantera
Sepultura
Trivium
Oitão + Jimmy & Rats

2023

[edit]

Australia

[edit]
24 March - 26 March

Slipknot
Parkway Drive
Megadeth
Trivium
Northlane
Amon Amarth
In Flames
Knocked Loose
Spiritbox
Story of the Year
Alpha Wolf
Void of Vision
Bad Omens*
Malevolence

  • Bad Omens pulled out of the Melbourne show on 24 March due to their vocalist Noah Sebastian losing his voice. [citation needed]

Japan

[edit]
1 April[24] 2 April[25]

Slipknot
Trivium
Man with a Mission
In Flames
The Oral Cigarettes
Enter Shikari
Rottengraffty
Survive Said the Prophet
Red Orca
Crystal Lake
A Crowd of Rebellion
Band-Maid
CVLTE
THE冠
Asterism
Ailiph Doepa
Wagamama Rakia

Slipknot
Korn
Maximum the Hormone
Parkway Drive
Coldrain
Noisemaker
Fear, and Loathing in Las Vegas
Petit Brabancon
Paledusk
THE SIXTH LIE
魔法少女になり隊
PRAISE
HIKAGE

Italy

[edit]
25 June

Slipknot
Architects
Amon Amarth
I Prevail
Lorna Shore
Nothing More
Bleed from Within
Destrage

2024

[edit]

Australia

[edit]
Knotfest Australia
21 March - 24 March
Stage 1 Stage 2

Pantera
Lamb of God
The Hu
Wage War
Escape the Fate
Speed
Brand of Sacrifice

Disturbed
Halestorm
Asking Alexandria
Thy Art Is Murder
Skindred
Windwaker
King Parrot

Knotfest Australia Sideshows
17 March 19 March 20 March 25 March 26 March
Adelaide Melbourne Sydney Brisbane

Disturbed
Wage War

Pantera
King Parrot
Black Rheno

The Hu

Lamb of God
Brand of Sacrifice

Asking Alexandria
Wage War

Halestorm
Skindred
Reliqa

The Hu

Lamb of God
Brand of Sacrifice

Halestorm
Skindred
Reliqa

Asking Alexandria
Wage War

Iowa

[edit]
21 September

Slipknot
Till Lindemann
Knocked Loose
Hatebreed
Poison the Well
Gwar
Vended
Dying Wish
Zulu
Twin Temple
Holy Wars
Swollen Teeth
Spine
Dose

Brazil

[edit]
19 October 20 October

Slipknot
Mudvayne
Amon Amarth
Meshuggah
DragonForce
Orbit Culture
Ratos de Porão
Krisiun
Project46
Eminience
Kryour
Eskröta

Slipknot
Bad Omens
Till Lindemann
Babymetal
P.O.D.
Poppy
Black Pantera
Ego Kill Talent
Seven Hours After Violet
Korzus
Papangu
The Mönic

Argentina

[edit]
26 October

Slipknot
Amon Amarth
Meshuggah
Babymetal
Arde la Sangre
NVLO

Chile

[edit]
2 November

Slipknot
Disturbed
Mudvayne
Amon Amarth
Babymetal
Poppy
Orbit Culture
Rama
Mawiza
SVVVNT
Nico Borie

2025

[edit]

Australia

[edit]
Stage 1 Stage 2

Slipknot
Babymetal
Slaughter to Prevail
Enter Shikari
In Hearts Wake
Miss May I
Sunami

A Day to Remember
Polaris
Within Temptation
Hatebreed
Health
Vended
Drain

Mexico

[edit]
6 December

Marilyn Manson
Falling In Reverse
Slaughter to Prevail
Shinedown
While She Sleeps
Hanabie.
Fit For an Autopsy

PULSE OF THE MAGGOTS

[edit]

Knotfest launched Pulse of the Maggots as an emerging artist series that has featured three digital festivals (2020, 2021 + 2022),[26] one in-person festival (Birmingham 2022),[27] and one showcase at South by Southwest in 2023.[28][29] The Pulse of the Maggots brand also appears as naming on stages at full Knotfest festivals including Knotfest Finland 2022 [30] and Knotfest Iowa 2024.[31]

Pulse of the Maggots Festival 2020

NOV 13, 2020
Hacktivist

October Ends
PRXJEK
Cerberus
Orbit Culture
Tallah
dEMOTIONAL
Vended
SCARLET
Year of the Knife
Introtyl
Wargasm
Diamond Construct
VCTMS
Death Blooms
Death Tour
Thrown into Exile
Once Awake
156 Silence
I Revolt

Pulse of the Maggots Festival 2x21

June 25, 2021
Hyro the Hero

As Everything Unfolds
Lotus Eater
Gaerea
Baest
Elyne
Abbie Falls
Cult of Lilith
Capra
Earthists
Pupil Slicer
Superbloom
Druid

Pulse of the Maggots Festival 3x22

March 11, 2022
Shadow of Intent

Brutus
Creeping Death
Vexed
Enforced
Kid Bookie
Witch Fever
Bala
Dödsrit
Four Stoke Baron
Blanket
Wowod
Knoll
thoughtcrimes
Urne
Akiavel
Moon Unit
Dumah

Pulse of the Maggots Festival: Birmingham 4x22

August 10, 2022
Sylosis

Orbit Culture
Heriot
SpiritWorld
Rough Justice
All Hail The Yeti
Thrown Into Exile
Cauldron

Pulse of the Maggots Showcase: SXSW 5x23

March 18, 2023
The Callous Daoboys

Creeping Death
Escuela Grind
Miliatrie Gun
Soul Glo
VCTMS

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Knotfest

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Knotfest is a touring music festival and cultural phenomenon dedicated to heavy metal, rock, and extreme music genres, founded in 2012 by the American heavy metal band Slipknot in collaboration with their manager Cory Brennan to fill a gap in North American heavy music events. Originating as a response to limited opportunities for heavy music festivals in regions like the Midwest United States, Knotfest debuted with its inaugural event in Council Bluffs, Iowa, featuring Slipknot as headliners alongside acts such as Lamb of God and Deftones. The festival was spearheaded by Slipknot's creative forces, including frontman Corey Taylor and percussionist Shawn "Clown" Crahan, who envisioned it as a platform to curate lineups of influential metal bands and foster a community around the genre's aggressive aesthetics and fan culture. Beyond live performances, Knotfest has evolved into a multifaceted encompassing art exhibitions, merchandise, and media content that celebrate heavy culture, including immersive displays of Slipknot's history and collaborations with artists like . International expansion began shortly after its launch, with editions in , , , and Europe, drawing 50,000 to 100,000 attendees per event and featuring diverse lineups such as , , and . In recent years, Knotfest has incorporated roadshow tours and premium experiences, such as the 2024 Knotfest event at Des Moines' Water Works Park, which included over 10 acts, Slipknot-themed activities, and exclusive memorabilia inspired by the band's legacy, followed by 2025 editions in Australia and . This growth underscores its role as a standalone entity that resonates globally, promoting heavy music's evolution while honoring its roots in extremity and innovation.

Background

Founding

Knotfest was created in 2012 by the American heavy metal band Slipknot in collaboration with their longtime manager, Cory Brennan, who serves as CEO of 5B Artist Management. This initiative marked Slipknot's effort to establish a dedicated event showcasing their curatorial vision for the genre. The festival's inception stemmed from a desire to provide a platform for heavy metal acts outside of Slipknot's regular touring schedule, addressing a perceived lack of specialized events for the genre in . Brennan noted that the project arose from "necessity and opportunity," particularly a market gap where "there was nothing for rock bands in many parts of the ." Inspired by the band's devoted fanbase, known as Maggots, and influences like , Knotfest aimed to create an immersive experience celebrating heavy music's countercultural ethos. Planning for Knotfest began in the years leading up to its launch, with initial concepts discussed around following the decline of similar festivals. The event was officially announced in 2012, coinciding with its debut, and benefited from production partnerships, including collaborations with Live Nation to support logistics and expansion.

Concept and organization

Knotfest was conceived as a "heavy culture" festival that extends beyond traditional concerts to encompass music, art, culture, and media, fostering deep fan immersion and community building within the heavy music scene. This vision positions the event as a comprehensive platform for celebrating and advancing heavy culture, described officially as "a mind-altering collision of music, art, culture, & media." The festival emphasizes experiential elements that engage attendees holistically, creating a dedicated space for fans to connect with like-minded individuals and explore the broader ecosystem of heavy music influences. The organizational structure is overseen by the band Slipknot in collaboration with 5B Artist Management, led by CEO Cory Brennan, who co-founded the festival in 2012. Slipknot plays a central role in curating the lineup of acts and developing thematic elements, ensuring the event aligns with their artistic ethos, as band member Shawn "Clown" Crahan has noted: "We put our souls into every end of it, from the bathroom to the lights." For international editions, local promoters handle execution, such as Hayashi International Promotion for Japan and Cobra Agency for Latin American expansions, allowing adaptation to regional markets while maintaining core oversight from Slipknot and 5B. Ticketing and sponsorships have been integral to the festival's operations, with early deals like the partnership with Rockstar Energy Drink providing crucial support from its inception. Logistically, Knotfest has evolved from its inaugural events in 2012, which drew thousands of attendees across two locations including , to multi-day international festivals, such as the 2014 edition in that attracted over 50,000 fans across three days and subsequent global outings selling out venues like the 40,000-capacity event in , . This growth reflects strategic planning to scale while preserving the immersive heavy culture focus, with ticketing often managed through platforms like Live Nation for major markets.

Festival features

Format and stages

Knotfest events typically adopt a multi-stage format to showcase a diverse array of heavy metal and rock performances, featuring a main dedicated to headliners and secondary stages for up-and-coming bands. Early iterations in 2012 were structured around a single main for streamlined, one-day events held in select cities, emphasizing Slipknot's curated lineup without overlapping sets. By 2014, the festival evolved to a more complex layout with five stages across a three-day duration at a campground venue, accommodating over 60 acts and allowing for simultaneous performances. In recent years, such as the 2023 and 2025 Australian editions, Knotfest has standardized on a two-stage setup side-by-side, minimizing wait times between acts while maintaining a compact, efficient flow for attendees. The festival's duration varies by edition but generally follows a one-day destination model per location, often as part of a touring circuit across multiple cities to reach broader audiences. Multi-day formats have appeared occasionally, as in the three-day event, which incorporated areas to enhance the immersive experience for overnight stays. This evolution from basic single-day setups to expansive, multi-stage layouts reflects Knotfest's growth in scale and logistical sophistication, prioritizing attendee flow and diverse programming. Beyond music, Knotfest integrates non-musical elements themed to heavy culture, including art installations like the Knotfest Museum—an immersive exhibit displaying Slipknot's instruments, memorabilia, and wardrobe to celebrate the band's history. Merchandise villages offer official event apparel, artist tees, and exclusive items, serving as a central hub for fans. Food vendors provide on-site dining options, contributing to the all-day festival atmosphere, while select venues feature zones for extended stays. Accessibility has also advanced in later years, with dedicated entry lanes, priority queuing at bars and merchandise outlets, and accessible toilets to support diverse attendees.

Media and broadcasts

Knotfest's documentation through media began with its inaugural 2012 edition, which featured live broadcasts and pro-shot footage of performances, including full sets from Slipknot that were streamed and later made available on for wider access. These early efforts captured the festival's raw energy, allowing remote audiences to experience key moments like Slipknot's closing set at the event. The festival has maintained strong partnerships with music media outlets, notably Loudwire, which provides comprehensive coverage through articles on lineups, exclusive video premieres, and event recaps, amplifying Knotfest's reach within the heavy metal community. Official content production by the Knotfest team includes recaps, documentaries, and behind-the-scenes footage that delve into the festival's production, artist preparations, and cultural impact, distributed via the Knotfest YouTube channel and website. Examples encompass multi-part series like "Slipknot All Access," offering never-before-seen road footage and interviews. Post-2014 editions marked an expansion into pay-per-view streaming and social media live clips, enabling global audiences to purchase or view real-time performances and highlights on platforms like Veeps and official social channels. This shift, evident in events such as the 2021 Knotfest Los Angeles livestream, broadened dissemination beyond physical attendance.

Website

The Knotfest website was initially launched in to coincide with the debut of the , functioning primarily as an information hub for event details, lineups, and ticket sales. On May 27, , Slipknot and 5B Artist Management relaunched Knotfest.com as a comprehensive global media platform, expanding its scope to encompass multimedia content centered on heavy music and culture. The platform now hosts a variety of content, including news updates on tours and industry developments, ticket sales for Knotfest events, artist spotlights featuring exclusive interviews and performance videos, and in-depth articles on heavy culture topics such as subgenres, artist histories, and cultural impacts. For example, spotlights often include discussions with musicians on influences like or explorations of theatrical elements in releases by bands such as Creeper. Knotfest produces original podcasts as a core offering, with Hardlore—launched in April 2022—delving into biographical stories from touring life in , and metal scenes through weekly guest conversations. She's With the Band, debuting in December 2022, spotlights women and non-binary trailblazers in the music industry via interviews hosted by Tori Kravitz and . Defender of the Riff, introduced in late 2023, features guitarists performing and discussing riffs, techniques, and influences in sessions hosted by Daniel Dekay. To engage fans, the website offers exclusive content through its Knotfest Premium subscription service, providing access to premium videos like the Slipknot Vault's footage, artist AMAs, and special performances, alongside an for pre-sale codes, giveaways, and priority updates. This model fosters a dedicated around heavy music without traditional forums, emphasizing curated digital experiences.

Pulse of the Maggots

Origins and digital era

Pulse of the Maggots was launched in by Knotfest as a digital series aimed at supporting emerging and unsigned heavy music acts during the widespread cancellations of live events caused by the . The initiative sought to provide a platform for rising talent in the heavy genre spectrum, spotlighting bands that might otherwise struggle for visibility amid the global pause in touring and performances. As part of Knotfest, which is curated by Slipknot, the series emphasized diversity across subgenres such as , , and hardcore to showcase the breadth of contemporary heavy music. The inaugural 2020 event took place on November 13 as a free online showcase, featuring 20 emerging artists performing across three virtual stages and streamed directly via the Knotfest website. Hosted by Knotfest personalities including Beez and Ryan J. Downey, the stream highlighted acts like , , and Hacktivist, offering full sets in a festival-style format to mimic the energy of in-person events. This debut edition not only provided exposure but also supported the MusiCares foundation through merchandise sales, underscoring its role in aiding the music community during the crisis. Subsequent digital editions in 2021 and 2022 expanded the format to foster greater engagement, incorporating artist interviews, music video premieres, and fan interactions such as live chat voting for standout tracks and performances. The 2021 event, streamed on the Knotfest Twitch channel on June 25, featured 13 bands including Hyro the Hero, Gaerea, and Pupil Slicer, with added elements like guest appearances to deepen audience connection. By 2022's March broadcast, dubbed the "3x22" edition, the series included pre-event interviews with participants like and Enforced, alongside fan-voted highlights, further evolving into a multifaceted digital discovery platform while maintaining its focus on unsigned talent. Band selections for these events were guided by the Knotfest curation process, prioritizing innovative acts from diverse heavy music backgrounds to promote genre evolution.

Live events and stages

Following its digital foundations, Pulse of the Maggots expanded into live formats in 2022, marking a shift toward in-person showcases for emerging heavy music acts. The inaugural physical event occurred on August 10, 2022, at The Mill in Birmingham, , headlined by and featuring performers such as , , and All Hail the Yeti, drawing fans to the "birthplace of metal" for a high-energy introduction to the program's stage presence. This momentum carried into further live integrations, including a dedicated Pulse of the Maggots stage at Knotfest Finland in August 2022, where acts like Shiraz Lane and Medeia performed amid the festival's heavier lineup, providing a platform for up-and-coming bands within the broader Knotfest ecosystem. In March 2023, the program collaborated with SXSW for an official showcase at in , on March 18, spotlighting headliners alongside , , Escuela Grind, Militarie Gun, and VCTMS, which celebrated heavy music's diversity and attracted industry attention. By 2024, the stage format solidified at Knotfest Iowa on September 21, featuring alternating performances by bands including Dose, Spine, Swollen Teeth, , , and , allowing attendees seamless access to emerging talent alongside main-stage acts. As a launchpad for rising artists, Pulse of the Maggots has facilitated career advancements through exposure and direct involvement from Slipknot members, such as turntablist Sid Wilson's of Swollen Teeth, who released their self-titled debut EP on his Blowed Out Records imprint after early program features. Similarly, bands like Archetypes Collide have leveraged showcase slots to secure tours with established acts such as Beartooth and , amplifying their visibility in the metal scene. This ongoing support underscores the program's role in nurturing innovative heavy music talent with Slipknot's guidance.

Editions

2012

Knotfest made its debut in 2012 as a two-day event across two locations in the United States, curated by Slipknot to showcase heavy metal acts in an immersive festival environment. The inaugural edition kicked off on August 17 at the Mid America Motorplex in Pacific Junction, , followed by the second day on August 18 at the Somerset Amphitheater in , . Slipknot headlined both days, delivering high-energy performances that anchored the festival's intense atmosphere, joined by a diverse lineup of prominent metal bands. Supporting acts included , , , Prong, , Gojira, , , , , and Dirtfedd, blending nu-metal, thrash, , and progressive elements to appeal to a broad spectrum of fans. The event featured additional attractions such as carnival rides, a pyro zone, and a Slipknot exhibit, enhancing the overall experience beyond standard concerts. The 2012 Knotfest received positive feedback for its well-organized execution and engaging format, providing attendees with a seamless, vacation-like escape amid favorable weather and strong fan interaction. Reviews highlighted the festival's success in creating an intimate yet chaotic metal celebration, with notable moments including vocalist Randy Blythe's return to the stage following his release from custody in the . This debut edition established Knotfest as a dedicated platform for heavy music, setting the tone for future iterations.

2013

Knotfest did not hold an edition in 2013, marking a pause after its debut year to allow Slipknot to focus on recording and other touring commitments. The band instead participated in international festivals such as in the UK and Japan, headlining sets that kept their momentum alive without a dedicated Knotfest event. This gap year consolidated the festival's initial concept in the US Midwest, setting the stage for its expansion in subsequent years.

2014

In 2014, Knotfest marked its first international expansion with the debut of the festival in , while maintaining a strong presence in the United States through an expanded multi-day event. This year represented a significant step in the festival's growth, introducing Knotfest to new global audiences and solidifying its status as a premier heavy music gathering. The U.S. edition of Knotfest 2014 took place over three days from to 26 at the San Manuel Amphitheater in , marking the festival's debut as a weekend-long event with camping options and multiple stages. Powered by Rockstar Energy Drink, the lineup featured over 60 bands curated by Slipknot, including headliners Slipknot (performing twice), Danzig, , and , alongside acts such as , , , Of Mice & Men, and . Additional performers added later included , , and , spread across five stages to accommodate the diverse heavy metal and hardcore roster. The event drew more than 50,000 attendees, contributing to nearly five million worldwide viewers through online broadcasts. Knotfest Japan 2014, the festival's inaugural Asian edition, occurred on November 15 and 16 at in Chiba, near , attracting a sold-out crowd of 50,000 fans over the two days. Headlined by Slipknot on both dates, the lineup blended international heavy metal acts with prominent Japanese performers, including Korn, , , , , , In Flames, , , , SiM, , , and . This event highlighted Knotfest's adaptation to local markets by incorporating influential domestic rock and metal bands, fostering a cross-cultural heavy music experience. Combined with the U.S. attendance, the 2014 editions collectively surpassed 100,000 fans, underscoring the festival's burgeoning international appeal.

2015

The 2015 edition of Knotfest marked a pivotal year for the festival's growth, with the established U.S. event returning to its roots while expanding internationally for the first time into . Held from October 23 to 25 at the San Manuel Amphitheater in , the U.S. installment built on the momentum of prior years, featuring a diverse array of heavy metal acts across multiple stages. Headliners included Slipknot, , and Korn, with supporting performances from , Bring Me the Horizon, Clutch, , Body Count, , and Beartooth, among others. The festival incorporated the familiar two-main-stage format alongside smaller setups for emerging bands, creating an immersive weekend experience that drew record-breaking crowds, surpassing the over 50,000 attendees from 2014 and establishing Knotfest as a cornerstone of the American metal scene. In parallel, Knotfest ventured into new territory with its inaugural Mexican edition on December 5 at the Centro Dinámico Pegaso in , just outside , adapting the festival's high-energy ethos to a passionate Latin American audience. Slipknot topped the bill, joined by , , H.I.M., , , , , , , , and , blending international metal staples with acts appealing to regional tastes. The single-day event drew a fervent crowd that embraced the chaos with and chants, transforming the venue into a vibrant "Metal " through added attractions like rides and extreme sports elements tailored to local . This debut underscored Knotfest's global appeal, with Slipknot later documenting the cultural intensity in the 2017 film Day of the Gusano, capturing the raw connection between the band and Mexican supporters.

2016

In 2016, Knotfest marked a significant collaboration with , resulting in the inaugural "Ozzfest Meets Knotfest" double-header event held over two days, September 24 and 25, at the San Manuel Amphitheater in . This partnership combined the lineups of both festivals, with headlining Ozzfest on Saturday and Slipknot closing Knotfest on Sunday, alongside prominent acts such as and . The cross-promotion between the two iconic metal festivals attracted approximately 63,000 attendees across the weekend, according to local authorities, establishing it as one of the largest heavy metal gatherings in North American history. Knotfest expanded internationally with returns to Mexico and Japan later that year. The Mexican edition occurred on October 15 and 16 at the Centro Dinámico Pegaso in Toluca, headlined by Slipknot and featuring Disturbed, Avenged Sevenfold, Slayer, and Deftones among a diverse roster of over 30 acts spanning metal subgenres. This event built on the festival's growing presence in Latin America, emphasizing high-energy performances and cultural fusion. In Japan, Knotfest returned on November 5 and 6 at Makuhari Messe in Chiba, with Slipknot headlining both nights alongside international and local talents including Deftones, Disturbed, Marilyn Manson, and Korn. The edition highlighted Knotfest's global appeal, drawing fans with a mix of established heavyweights and emerging Japanese acts like coldrain and Crystal Lake. The Ozzfest collaboration not only boosted attendance through shared promotion but also symbolized a generational bridge in heavy metal, blending 's legacy with Knotfest's aggressive, modern edge. Broadcast elements, such as recap videos, extended the event's reach online.

2017

The second edition of Meets Knotfest occurred on November 4 and 5, 2017, at the in , continuing the between the two festivals that debuted the previous year. The event drew over 45,000 attendees across the weekend, maintaining strong interest in the heavy metal and programming despite a shift from the prior year's higher turnout. On November 4, the stage was headlined by , supported by acts including , , , and , emphasizing a blend of classic metal icons and modern heavy influences. The following day, Knotfest featured headliners , , and , alongside bands such as Testament, Body Count, and Gojira, focusing on aggressive nu-metal and industrial sounds curated by Slipknot, though the band itself did not perform. This installment marked the final collaboration between and Knotfest, concluding a brief but impactful partnership that revitalized both brands in the North American festival scene. Separately, Knotfest Mexico took place on October 28, 2017, at the Centro Dinámico in , , expanding the festival's international reach with a diverse lineup tailored to Latin American audiences. Headlined by , Korn, and , the event also included performances from , , , and Scars on Broadway, showcasing a mix of , thrash, and hardcore acts. Like the U.S. edition, Slipknot opted out of performing to focus on new material, but their curatorial oversight ensured the festival's signature intensity and thematic elements, such as extreme art installations and merchandise.

2018

In 2018, Knotfest expanded into for the first time with the inaugural edition in , held on October 26 at the Hipódromo de los Andes in . This single-day event marked a significant regional milestone for the festival brand, bringing a diverse lineup of international heavy metal acts to a new audience without a performance from Slipknot themselves. The festival featured as headliners, alongside , , and , with additional performers including , , and local Colombian bands such as Cuentos de los Hermanos Grind and Kilcrops. The event was well-received, showcasing Knotfest's growing international footprint and ability to curate high-caliber metal lineups tailored to emerging markets. Organizers highlighted the festival's in fostering a vibrant atmosphere for heavy music fans in , despite logistical challenges common to large-scale outdoor productions in the region. This edition underscored Knotfest's strategy of destination festivals, emphasizing cultural exchange and metal community building beyond and .

2019

In 2019, Knotfest marked a period of international expansion through collaborations and touring formats, featuring events in , , and prior to global disruptions. The festival's activities highlighted Slipknot's role as curators, blending their signature heavy metal intensity with diverse lineups across one-off festivals and a multi-city roadshow. Knotfest Meets took place on June 20 in , , as a one-day prelude to the larger event. Headlined by Slipknot, the lineup included , , , , Ministry, , , , and , delivering a mix of , , and industrial sounds to an enthusiastic European audience. The event emphasized Knotfest's growing footprint in the continent's metal scene, with performances noted for their high-energy production and crowd engagement. Following the French collaboration, the Knotfest Roadshow launched as a 29-date North American tour from July 26 in , to September 8 in , spanning the US and . Slipknot headlined alongside , Gojira, and , creating a dynamic bill that fused rock, , and elements. The tour showcased massive production with elaborate stage setups, including rotating drum risers, and drew significant attendance, such as nearly 40,000 fans at the July 27 stop in . Knotfest Meets Forcefest occurred November 29–30 in , , as a two-day hybrid event where the Knotfest portion featured a broad heavy metal roster. Intended headliners Slipknot and were forced to cancel their performances due to safety concerns after fans breached barricades during earlier acts, leading to damaged equipment and a rushed conclusion. The lineup otherwise included , Carcass, Suicidal Tendencies, Chelsea Grin, Godsmack, , 311, and , underscoring the festival's ambition to merge with local promotions despite logistical challenges. Concluding the year's events, Knotfest was held on December 6 in at the Hipódromo de los Andes. Slipknot headlined a multi-stage festival with , Testament, W.A.S.P., Accept, Unleashed, and local acts like A.n.i.m.a.l. and Arzen, attracting a dedicated Latin American metal community. The event reinforced Knotfest's commitment to regional growth, with Slipknot's set drawing from their recent album .

2021

Knotfest resumed in 2021 after a year-long hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, marking a cautious return to live events with a focus on U.S.-based activities emphasizing safety measures. The festival's revival began with Knotfest Iowa on September 25 at the National Balloon Classic Field in Indianola, near Des Moines, serving as a hometown homecoming for headliners Slipknot. This one-day event featured a diverse lineup including Slipknot, Megadeth, Lamb of God, Faith No More, Gojira, and Trivium, drawing a record-breaking crowd of 30,000 attendees and surpassing previous site records. Organizers implemented health protocols such as masking recommendations and capacity controls to mitigate risks, though the outdoor setting allowed for relatively relaxed entry compared to indoor venues. Following the Iowa show, Slipknot launched the Knotfest Roadshow, a 28-date U.S. tour spanning late to early , produced by Live and visiting amphitheaters across the Midwest, , and West Coast. The tour's core lineup consisted of Slipknot alongside , , and Code Orange, delivering high-energy performances that reintroduced fans to live metal in a post-pandemic context. Venues enforced varying protocols, including proof of full or negative tests within 48 hours for entry, which occasionally impacted supporting acts—such as Code Orange withdrawing from select headline dates due to enhanced safety requirements. Attendance at roadshow stops rebounded strongly, with many shows approaching or exceeding 20,000 per night, reflecting pent-up demand for live music. The year's activities concluded with Knotfest Los Angeles on November 5 at , a standalone one-day event headlined by Slipknot and featuring , , , Code Orange, and Vended. This West Coast edition attracted over 20,000 fans, underscoring the festival's successful navigation of challenges through rigorous screenings and venue-specific guidelines. The event highlighted Knotfest's adaptability, blending heavy metal staples with emerging acts to foster a vibrant atmosphere amid ongoing recovery efforts in the live events industry.

2022

In 2022, Knotfest experienced a significant global resurgence following the hiatus imposed by the , expanding beyond with dedicated festivals in and for the first time as standalone events. The year marked the return of the Knotfest Roadshow in the United States and , commencing with a spring leg from March 16 to April 17 featuring Slipknot alongside and across 18 arena dates. A subsequent summer leg ran from May 18 to June 25, with and as special guests for 21 shows, followed by a fall extension from September 20 to October 7 supported by and for nine additional performances. This multi-leg tour highlighted Slipknot's enduring draw in heavy music circuits, blending metal with hip-hop and hardcore influences. Europe's expansion began with the inaugural Knotfest Germany on July 30 at the Rudolf Weber-Arena in Oberhausen, the first standalone Knotfest event on the continent, headlined by Slipknot and featuring In Flames, Ghostemane, Meshuggah, Jinjer, Tesseract, Bleed from Within, Malevolence, Cattle Decapitation, and Vended. This one-day festival underscored Knotfest's adaptation to indoor venues amid regional touring constraints, drawing a diverse lineup of metal subgenres. Shortly after, Knotfest Finland debuted as a two-day event on August 12-13 at Artukaisten Kenttä in Turku, headlined by Slipknot with acts including Nightwish, Bring Me the Horizon, Arch Enemy, In Flames, Lamb of God, Cradle of Filth, Blind Channel, Jinjer, and Stam1na. The event introduced the Pulse of the Maggots Stage, integrating Knotfest's signature experiential elements like circus performances alongside the music. The South American rollout further solidified Knotfest's international footprint, starting with the Knotfest Roadshow Argentina on December 8 at Movistar Arena in , headlined by Slipknot as the brand's debut in the country. This was followed by Knotfest Colombia on December 9 at Parqueadero in , featuring Slipknot, , (in their reunion configuration with and ), Amon Amarth, and Samael. Knotfest Chile occurred on December 11 at Estadio Monumental in Santiago, with Slipknot, Sepultura, Bring Me the Horizon, Trivium, Mr. Bungle, Vended, , and emphasizing thrash and synergies. The year concluded with Knotfest Brazil on December 18 at Sambódromo do Anhembi in , headlined by Slipknot and including Sepultura, Bring Me the Horizon, Trivium, Mr. Bungle, and Vended, marking a sold-out milestone and drawing large crowds for the festival's Latin American entry. Across these editions, lineups reflected regional tastes while centering Slipknot: North American roadshows paired the band with for cross-genre appeal, European stops emphasized melodic and via In Flames, and South American festivals incorporated thrash icons like . The 2022 activities encompassed over 50 North American dates plus seven international events, reaching hundreds of thousands of fans and reestablishing Knotfest as a premier heavy music platform.

2023

In 2023, Knotfest expanded into new territories with its debut in and a standalone event in , while returning to for the first time since 2019. The year marked the festival's inaugural Australian edition, held over three consecutive days from March 24 to 26 across , , and , representing the first Knotfest events in the region. These shows adopted the roadshow format, featuring a dual-stage setup to facilitate non-stop performances, and quickly sold out, drawing an estimated crowd exceeding 80,000 attendees in total. The Australian lineup was headlined by Slipknot, with prominent acts including , , and , alongside regional favorites like and international metal staples such as and In Flames. Events incorporated cultural acknowledgments of Indigenous custodians, including recognition of the Woi Wurrung people in and the custodians in , emphasizing respect for traditional lands. Brisbane's show at the RNA Showgrounds on concluded the run, with performances highlighting the festival's blend of heavy music, art installations, and memorabilia exhibits from Slipknot's history. The rapid sell-outs underscored strong demand for heavy music in , solidifying Knotfest's international footprint. Knotfest Japan returned on April 1–2 at in , featuring a two-day event that combined the roadshow on day one with a full lineup on day two. Slipknot headlined both days, joined by acts like Korn, , and , with Japanese metal bands such as Crystal Lake and adding local flavor. The event attracted thousands of fans, continuing the 's tradition of fusing global heavy metal with regional influences. Italy hosted its first Knotfest on June 25 at Arena Parco Nord in , a standalone European event following the festival's previous German iteration in 2016. Headlined by Slipknot, the lineup included , Architects, , and I Prevail, with additional performers like and delivering a mix of progressive and elements. This debut drew a dedicated crowd, marking Knotfest's renewed push into and highlighting the band's growing continental presence.

2024

Knotfest returned for its second edition in March 2024, expanding to three cities across the country. The festival kicked off on March 21 at in , followed by March 23 at Centennial Park in , and concluded on March 24 at Brighton Showground in . Headlined by , Disturbed, and , the lineup also featured , , , , and King Parrot, drawing a combined of approximately fans over the three days. This event marked a significant growth from the inaugural 2023 edition, solidifying Knotfest's presence in the Australian metal scene with a focus on diverse heavy metal acts. In September 2024, Knotfest made a triumphant return to its with a one-day event in , celebrating Slipknot's 25th anniversary. Held on September 21 at Water Works Park in Des Moines, the festival attracted over 20,000 attendees despite challenging weather that shortened some sets. Slipknot headlined with a special performance drawing heavily from their 1999 self-titled debut album, joined by acts including , , , Poison the Well, , and Vended on the main stage, while the Pulse stage hosted , Zulu, , , Holy Wars, and Dose. This homecoming emphasized the festival's origins in the Midwest, blending nostalgia with high-energy metal performances. Knotfest expanded further into South America later in 2024, hosting multi-day events that highlighted the region's growing metal fanbase. In , the festival ran October 19–20 at in , with Slipknot delivering unique sets each night to commemorate their anniversary; the lineup included , , , , , , and , achieving strong turnouts across both days. Argentina's edition followed on October 26 at Parque de la Ciudad in , headlined by Slipknot alongside , , and , drawing enthusiastic crowds for a single-day spectacle. The tour concluded in on November 2 at Estadio Nacional in Santiago, featuring Slipknot, Disturbed, , , , Poppy, and , with reports of robust attendance reflecting the festival's international momentum. These South American stops underscored Knotfest's strategy of regional adaptation, incorporating local production elements while maintaining its core heavy music .

2025

In 2025, Knotfest continued its expansion in the with its third annual edition in , spanning three cities from February 28 to March 8. The festival kicked off at in on February 28, followed by on March 2, and concluded at Centennial Park in on March 8. This marked the third year of the event's run Down Under, building on the momentum from previous iterations. No additional editions beyond and have been announced as of November 2025. Headlined by Slipknot, the Australian lineup showcased a mix of metal, hardcore, and alternative acts, including , , , and , among others such as , , and . The dual-stage format ensured no overlapping sets, allowing attendees to experience the full program, which drew large crowds and was lauded for its high-energy atmosphere and seamless organization. Post-event reviews highlighted standout performances, with 's dynamic set and 's intense local representation earning particular praise for energizing the mosh pits and fostering a sense of community among heavy music fans. Meanwhile, Knotfest revived the festival in the region after its last edition in 2019, set for a single-day event on December 6 at Explanada del Estadio in . Organized under Slipknot's banner but without the band performing on stage, the lineup emphasizes diverse heavy acts, featuring headliners and , alongside , , HANABIE., and . As of November 2025, anticipation builds for this return, with the bill promising a blend of industrial, , and influences to captivate regional audiences.

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  45. https://knotfest.com/blogs/pulse-of-the-maggots/meet-the-maggots-thoughtcrimes-knoll-enforced-and-kid-bookie-are-set-to-make-a-lasting-impression-at-pulse-of-the-maggots-festival
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  51. https://knotfest.com/blogs/pulse-of-the-maggots/the-pulse-of-the-maggots-courses-through-downtown-austin-at-sxsw
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