Ban on spiked collars at Slipknot gig in Glasgow 'ridiculous' By Mary McCool

BBC Scotland news Published duration 17 January

image copyright Getty Images image caption Corey Taylor of Slipknot on stage at Manchester Arena earlier this week

Event organisers have been criticised for introducing "ridiculous" clothing bans at a Slipknot concert in Glasgow.

The US heavy metal outfit is scheduled to appear on Saturday at the Hydro, where they performed in January 2015.

The venue published a list of banned accessories ahead of the gig, including spiked collars, large belt buckles and large chain wallets.

The band's promoters have requested similar restrictions at previous gigs.

The full list of items banned at the Hydro includes laser pointers, fireworks, candles, whistles and signs. It also includes:

Large belt buckles

Large chain wallets

Spiked bracelets/belts/collars/boots/jackets, chains or sharp pointed rings

Donald MacLeod, the owner of the Garage and Cathouse rock clubs in Glasgow, described the move as "a joke".

He has collaborated on events with the Scottish Event Campus (SEC) over several years and said the restrictions were unlike any other dress code at the venue.

image copyright Getty Images image caption Alessandro Venturella of Slipknot performing in Dublin

He said: "We've never had issues like this on dress. It's incredible. I must admit I burst out laughing and thought this was a joke.

"What I've found running the Cathouse - which is an iconic institution - is we've had all manners of dress codes, be it emo, goth, heavy metallers and hip hop. They all have a brand and an identity - nose rings or tattoos - and it's probably the safest and friendliest club that I've had.

"Yes there have been incidents, but people police themselves and they look after each other. We have put on many shows in the SEC of a similar calibre such as Nine Inch Nails and nobody was flung out and there were no problems.

"There were more problems at Still Game and there were no high heeled buckled boots there. You get more fighting at a darts match."

And he added: "I can't see how telling people not to wear big boots is going to prevent fires, it's ridiculous."

image copyright Getty Images image caption Slipknot are known for the masks and boiler suits they wear on stage

With a huge global fanbase, Slipknot are renowned for their industrial-style boiler suits and ghoulish masks. Fans have been known to copy the style at previous gigs.

Hydro staff say the ban is in line with similar restrictions at other UK venues during the band's We Are Not Your Kind tour.

A spokesperson for The SSE Hydro said: "We want everyone attending an event here to have an enjoyable experience.

"However, there are restrictions on what is allowed into the SSE Hydro and these can vary - this is related to the safety of everyone attending events here and to the security of the venue."

image copyright Getty Images image caption The band played at the Download Festival last year

In December Slipknot cancelled a festival performance in Mexico citing security issues and fan safety after a barricade was left broken, as did Evanescence who were also on the bill.

Reports and videos on social media at the time suggested a small group of disappointed fans climbed onto the stage, dismantled and damaged a drum kit and set it on fire.

Scottish fans have since questioned whether the Hydro ban reflects fears over potential safety issues.

Andrew Hewitt from Pulse Community Radio told BBC Radio Scotland's Good Morning Scotland : "There's been a few violent incidents so I kind of get where they're coming from.

"I think the band may feel it's a bit silly, as long as the fans still go and enjoy it. I go to a lot of gigs in Glasgow and the metal scene is crazy in general so I can see people still having the best nights of their lives."