Marilyn Manson has issued a defiant response following criticism from Nottingham City Council leader Cllr Neghat Khan, who condemned the Motorpoint Arena’s decision to host the controversial singer amid ongoing allegations of sexual assault and misconduct. Manson, whose real name is Brian Warner, has brushed off the backlash, insisting that his only priority is his music and the fans who continue to support him.
“I don’t care what they say,” Manson declared in a recent statement. “As long as I know I’m doing my best and making people happy through music, that’s all that matters to me.”
The sharp remarks come after Cllr Khan publicly criticised the arena for booking Manson, arguing that hosting him undermined Nottingham’s efforts to combat misogyny and violence against women. Khan also revealed that she had written to the Home Secretary, asking for a review of whether the singer should even be allowed to enter the United Kingdom.
Manson, who has spent much of the last decade battling allegations of sexual assault, grooming, and domestic violence, has always denied the claims. While the accusations have cost him record deals, endorsements, and several high-profile tours, he remains steadfast in his refusal to step away from the stage. To Manson, performing is not just a career but an outlet – and one he says he won’t abandon for critics.
“Music has always been about expression, escape, and connection,” he explained. “When fans come to my shows, they’re looking for an experience – to feel something, to leave behind their everyday problems for a couple of hours. That’s what I give them, and that’s what I’ll keep giving them. The rest is just noise.”
Manson’s defiance is nothing new. Throughout his career, he has thrived on controversy, from his shock-rock image in the 1990s to the moral panics that surrounded his music following tragedies like the Columbine school shooting. Time and again, critics have tried to silence him, but his core fanbase has remained loyal. For many, Manson represents artistic rebellion and the freedom to confront uncomfortable truths through art.
Still, the backlash in Nottingham reflects broader cultural debates around accountability, art, and public safety. For campaigners and city leaders, allowing Manson to perform in the city undermines their efforts to create safe spaces for women and girls. “There is no place in our society for misogynistic behaviour,” Khan said earlier this week. “I don’t believe this individual reflects our values and the work we are doing in Nottingham which targets negative behaviours.”
But Manson’s supporters argue that until he is convicted of a crime, he should not be barred from earning a living or connecting with fans. They point out that other artists accused of wrongdoing have continued to perform, and that singling out Manson risks turning him into a scapegoat.
For Manson himself, the issue is simpler: keep playing, keep creating, and let the music speak for itself. “People will always talk,” he said. “Some will love you, some will hate you. That’s been the story of my entire career. But the people in the crowd – the ones singing, screaming, and living in that moment – they’re the reason I’m here. That’s all I care about.”
The Motorpoint Arena has not issued a statement in response to either Khan’s criticism or Manson’s reply, and as of now, the show remains on schedule. Whether the backlash will affect attendance or spark protests remains to be seen, but what is certain is that the controversy has put Manson back in the headlines – a place he has rarely left for long.
For better or worse, Marilyn Manson has built a career out of provoking strong reactions, and this latest clash between civic leaders and the singer is just another chapter in his polarising story. If his words are anything to go by, he has no intention of backing down. “Music speaks louder than anything else,” he concluded. “That’s what I believe in, and that’s what I’ll keep doing.
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