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An event billed as the world’s first “Herd Immunity Fest” has dropped its name after a band pulled out due to controversy around its announcement.
The festival is set to take place in Wisconsin next month, defying guidance from leading medical experts.
Despite coronavirus forcing the cancellation of events across the globe, the three day festival will take place from July 16th-18th in Ringle, Wisconsin.
Static-X, Nonpoint, Dope, Bobaflex, Royal Bliss, and more were among the bands set to play, but Nonpoint have now pulled out of the event after learning its name.
The band’s management told Consequence Of Sound: “As soon as the band saw [that] they changed the title of Fest to ‘Herd Immunity Fest’, they dropped off.”
Referencing their decision on Twitter, the band replied to a fan who wrote: “A bunch of bands that I consider peers and some friends are partaking in a show called “herd immunity fest”, which by that title is basically saying to their fans, come see us and we hope you get sick. What the actual fuck??”
Nonpoint said: “Nonpoint is not playing the show because of the name of the show.”
A bunch of bands that I consider peers and some friends are partaking in a show called “herd immunity fest”, which by that title is basically saying to their fans, come see us and we hope you get sick. What the actual fuck??
— Spider One (@therealSpider1) June 24, 2020
Nonpoint is not playing the show because of the name of the show
— Nonpoint (@nonpoint) June 24, 2020
Announcing the dropping of the ‘Herd Immunity Fest’ name – while not immediately announcing a replacement – organisers wrote on Facebook: “For the record the venues land can accommodate up to 10,000 occupancy. This is an OUTDOOR EVENT for 3 Days. We are only selling 20% of that so anyone has the choice and ability to social distance. The Festival is also not called ‘Herd Immunity’ and the name no longer tied to any of our social media or promotion.”
For the record the venues land can accommodate up to 10,000 occupancy. This is an OUTDOOR EVENT for 3 Days. We are only…
Posted by The Q & Z Expo Center on Wednesday, June 24, 2020
Taking place across three days, the “mini-fest” will take place on an outdoor stage at the Q&Z Expo Center, but there is nothing to suggest that social distancing measures will take place.
It is set to be the first rock festival featuring major acts to take place since the pandemic started.
Also on the bill are Blacktop Mojo, Flaw, Kaleido, Saul, Versus Me, AC/DC tribute Thunderstruck and Metallica tribute One.
It comes amid warnings that festivals may not return until autumn 2021.
In a recent roundtable discussion, bioethicist and professor of healthcare management Zeke Emanuel says he has “no idea” how promoters that are rescheduling arts and music events for later this year “think that’s a plausible possibility”.
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