Kentucky teen, Kyle Rittenhouse, booked to appear at a metal festival has caused several bands to withdraw from the event. The festival, Shell Shock II, scheduled to happen in Orlando on October 19, has faced backlash after announcing Rittenhouse as a special guest. Organisers stated that a portion of the proceeds would aid first responders dealing with injuries like PTSD.
Rittenhouse gained national attention when he fatally shot two Black Lives Matter protesters and injured another in Kenosha, Wisconsin, in 2020. He argued that he acted in self-defense and was later found not guilty of all charges. Among the bands to withdraw from the festival was Jacksonville metalcore band Evergreen Terrace, who expressed that they support various charitable causes but cannot support an event endorsing Rittenhouse.
Other bands such as Southpaw, Let Me Bleed, and American Hollow also followed suit in pulling out of the festival. Southpaw mentioned on Instagram that they were unaware of the specific individual being promoted at the show and opted to step down due to the controversy surrounding Rittenhouse. Let Me Bleed highlighted that they do not wish to be associated with certain individuals invited as VIP guests at the event and decided it was best to remove themselves from the lineup.
As a response to the band exodus, the festival has announced a Texas-based Slipknot tribute band, SiC, as the new headliner. The Antihero Podcast, the Florida-based organisers of Shell Shock II, shared a statement on Instagram, asserting that despite facing opposition from critics, they will not back down as the festival has become a battle of ideologies rather than just a music concert.