Manson was to begin his tour "One assassination under God" in Brighton on October 29. Now, the concert venue Brighton Centre, and the city council in Hove, which owns the venue, have decided to cancel the artist and refund the ticket buyers. This is after pressure from the activist group "No stage for abusers" and the local member of parliament Siân Berry from the Green party of the United Kingdom.
Four women had previously sued Manson, who is actually named Brian Warner, and accused him of rape, sexual abuse, and bodily harm. After a year-long investigation, the charges against him were dropped in January. The artist himself has called the allegations false.
Siân Berry wrote an open letter and meant that survivors of abuse would be affected, and that the concert went against the city's values: "the municipality has a responsibility to take action where there are risks of discrimination, harassment, and violations".
Fans of Marilyn Manson point out that he has not been found guilty of any crimes. Others mean that the decision goes against freedom of speech.
One person said to The Argus:
This is cancel culture and it will backfire when artists do not add a date from Brighton and Hove to their tours and stick to London, which, incidentally, has not banned Marilyn Manson.
