Marilyn Manson, headliner of Azkena Rock, remains under public scrutiny

• Marilyn Manson is scheduled to headline the 25th edition of the Azkena Rock Festival in Vitoria-Gasteiz in June 2027.
• The musician faces ongoing criticism and legal issues following over a dozen allegations of physical, psychological, and sexual abuse made by various women since 2021.

Legal Status

• A four-year criminal investigation into Manson was closed by the Los Angeles County District Attorney in January 2025 without charges, citing statute of limitations and lack of evidence for sexual assault claims.
• A civil lawsuit filed by former assistant Ashley Walters regarding sexual assault in 2010 remains active; a jury trial is scheduled for November 15, 2027.
• Manson has denied all allegations and dropped a defamation lawsuit against Evan Rachel Wood in 2024.

Institutional Involvement

• The festival, managed by the promoter Last Tour, receives significant public funding from the Vitoria-Gasteiz City Council and the Provincial Council of Álava, totaling millions of euros in recent years.
• Local institutions act as "institutional partners," leading to questions regarding whether these public bodies' policies against gender-based violence align with their continued financial support of a festival headlining a figure facing such accusations.
• In 2025, the Brighton Centre in the UK canceled a Manson concert following public pressure and government intervention regarding the use of public venues for his performances.