Kid Rock’s Festival Cancels South Carolina Show as Performers Exit

The “Rock the Country” music festival, featuring Kid Rock, has announced the cancellation of its South Carolina show. This decision comes after multiple prominent artists withdrew from the politically charged event.

Canceled Show Details

Scheduled for July at the Anderson Sports & Entertainment Center in Anderson, South Carolina, the two-night festival was set to spotlight major acts like Creed, Shinedown, Brantley Gilbert, and Ludacris. The lineup also included performances from Gretchen Wilson, Morgan Wade, and Parmalee.

Reasons Behind the Cancellation

Anderson County officials confirmed the cancellation, with County Administrator Rusy Burns indicating that at least one band cited concerns regarding the festival’s political nature.

• Headliners:
  • Creed
  • Shinedown
  • Brantley Gilbert
  • Ludacris
• Additional performers:
  • Gretchen Wilson
  • Morgan Wade
  • Lakeview
  • Parmalee
  • Chase Matthew
  • Fox N’ Vead

Impact of Artist Withdrawals

Shinedown announced its exit from the festival, emphasizing their commitment to unity through music. The band expressed concerns about participating in an event that could foster division.

Ludacris and other artists, including Morgan Wade and Carter Faith, also opted out of the concert prior to the official cancellation. Ludacris later clarified that a “mix-up” had occurred after being named a headliner.

About the Festival

Founded in 2024 by Kid Rock, whose legal name is Robert James Richie, “Rock the Country” aimed to be a monumental celebration of the United States’ 250th birthday. The festival was designed to take place across eight cities, running from May to September.

As part of its ethos, the festival aimed to bring together diverse communities, highlighting the resilience and unity of American towns. The concluding event was planned for September 11 and 12 in Hamburg, New York.

While Anderson County stands to lose economically from the canceled event, officials are now seeking performers for unrelated concerts scheduled for April.