Sick New World is facing backlash after sharing (and quickly deleting) a social media post over the weekend that many fans called tone-deaf and out of touch. The post briefly appeared on the festival’s Instagram account before being removed, though the controversy may have been partially washed out by the flood of coverage surrounding Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl emotional halftime performance.
That context is key. The now-deleted post directly referenced the halftime show, featuring footage from a Korn concert paired with on-screen text that read, “Who we really deserved for the superbowl halftime show.” The accompanying caption, separate from the video overlay, added fuel to the backlash, stating: “if it ain’t this i don’t want it.”
Fans immediately pushed back, calling the comparison dismissive and insensitive amid broader conversations surrounding the halftime show and its cultural significance.
“Weird post… as an alt Latina this feels weird. I love Korn and Bad Bunny. Bad Bunny is the first Latino to win a Grammy for Best Album and to perform in a halftime show within a week. This is more than just music. Bye” ~ @marzzam
“As a metal and rock fan, and who has even gone to Sick New World before, this post is really tone deaf, especially considering what is happening in the country right now. As a Mexican-American, I couldn’t be more proud to see someone like Bad Bunny take the biggest stage in the world today.”
~ @msalazar2011
As criticism mounted in the comments, frustration quickly turned into disappointment, with longtime fans questioning how the post made it live in the first place.
“Sure, we’d love to see Korn at a Super Bowl show. But this is really distasteful right now. This is insinuating bad bunny isn’t a good choice, which he is an amazing choice, and just what we need right now. There is still time to delete this post…..” ~ @kimdracula_
“uh oh… as a fanatic of Korn and SOAD and all the sick new world line up- this post feels wrong. I believe tio Serj and tio Jonathan would agree that Bad Bunny is the right guy to do this show this time, considering what’s happening politically. We rocker foos support different cultures.” ~ @um_erika
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By the time the reel disappeared, screenshots and screen recordings were already circulating (many DM’ed to the Grimy Goods Instagram account), preserving both the post and the reaction it provoked.
Below is the now-deleted reel, along with a snapshot of the comments that ultimately pushed Sick New World to pull it down.
Sick New World is owned and operated by Live Nation Entertainment, the world’s largest live entertainment company, often working in conjunction with its subsidiary, C3 Presents.
This is just another example of large corporations leaving impactful social media distribution and messaging in the hands of an intern, or perhaps someone that in not trained in social media moderation and brand safety. Because, honestly, this was not a good look. It was hurtful and incredibly insensitive to those of us who come from Latine and immigrant backgrounds.
And given that Sick New World / Live Nation already alienated many fans earlier this year by booking Marilyn Manson—who has faced multiple sexual assault and domestic violence allegations from several women, including actor Evan Rachel Wood—the festival is beginning to leave a sour impression. While those allegations were ultimately dropped due to exceeding the statute of limitations, a Los Angeles judge reinstated a lawsuit in late January filed by Manson’s former assistant.
Oh, and then you have Danny Elfman. Sick New World also booked him for the event. In 2017, composer Nomi Abadi accused Danny Elfman of sexual harassment, including indecent exposure, and later settled a claim with him that was kept under wraps from the public. She later sued him for breach of contract and defamation after he allegedly failed to make payments and publicly denied the allegations.
Last January (2025), Elfman lost a bid to dismiss a defamation lawsuit brought by Abadi.
So yeah, Sick New World is starting to feel like Problematic New World.
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