Band opening for Marilyn Manson respond to backlash before deleting comments

nme.com:

Marilyn Manson at three upcoming shows has responded to the backlash against the gigs in now-deleted comments.In March, Manson announced his first live dates since a series of sexual abuse allegations emerged against him, opening for Five Finger Death Punch on a run of North American dates in August and September.

Manson denies all of the allegations.Added to those are three headline shows, for which the band The Funeral Portrait will serve as the opening act.That band became the subject of criticism for accepting the gigs, and their bassist Robert Weston took to X to address the backlash (via Loudwire).“I’m sorry my band that has consistently played 200 cap venues for 7 years + has a chance to open shows in front of thousands of people and people wanna be upset by it,” he wrote, before swiftly deleting the post.“If you truly know the people we are and you know the grind we’ve been on, you wouldn’t be made,” he added. “If what we are doing isn’t affecting your life personally, then why get mad about it?

You weren’t a fan before, and that’s fine. No one is forcing anyone to go to these shows.”A raft of sexual abuse allegations were levelled against Manson in February 2021, including by his ex-fiancée Evan Rachel Wood, who made allegations of rape, torture, and threats.

Separate claims of abuse from more than 12 women have also been made.Numerous lawsuits have ensued since, with Manson consistently denying the allegations.In March 2022, Manson brought a defamation case against Wood but the case’s key claims were dismissed last May.In January, he was ordered to pay Wood’s legal fees of roughly $326,000.