Shinedown has become the latest act to step away from Rock the Country, the traveling music festival cofounded and headlined by Kid Rock, saying the group doesn’t want to be involved in anything it believes could deepen political and cultural divides.
The Florida-based rock band had been set to headline the Anderson, South Carolina, stop in late July. That event has now been canceled. In a statement shared on social media, the band said it chose to withdraw because its mission is to bring people together through music—not add to the country’s growing polarization.
Kid Rock and fellow headliner Jason Aldean are both outspoken conservatives. Kid Rock, in particular, has been a prominent ally of President Donald Trump and has visited the White House multiple times. The broader tour lineup includes Blake Shelton, Hank Williams Jr., Jelly Roll, Creed, Brooks & Dunn, Miranda Lambert, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Nelly.
“Shinedown is everyone’s band,” the group wrote on Facebook. “We feel that we have been given a platform to bring all people together through the power of music and song.
“We have one BOSS, and it is everyone in the audience. Our band’s purpose is to unite, not divide. With that in mind, we have made the decision that we will not be playing the Rock the Country Festival.
“We know this decision will create differences of opinion. But we do not want to participate in something we believe will creature further division.
“And to our fans, thank you for supporting and believing in us.”
Newsweek has reached out to Rock the Country and a representative for Kid Rock via email on Friday afternoon for comment.
Artists Dropping Out of Rock the Country Festival 2026
Shinedown’s departure follows earlier exits by Ludacris, Morgan Wade and Carter Faith from the 2026 tour.
Days after the lineup was announced January 12, a representative for Ludacris told Rolling Stone that the rapper’s inclusion was a “mix-up,” saying he was never intended to be part of the festival. Media personality Ebro Darden echoed that explanation, saying Ludacris was “never” booked.
Rock the Country Festival Canceled in Anderson, South Carolina
Rock the Country will no longer stop in Anderson County, South Carolina, county officials confirmed to the Anderson Independent Mail.
The festival had been scheduled for July 25-26 in Anderson. When the tour was announced in January, the initial lineup for that stop included Creed, Gretchen Wilson, Shinedown and Ludacris.
Anderson County Administrator Rusty Burns confirmed the cancellation to the Independent Mail on Friday.
About 47,000 people attended the Anderson event last year, Burns said. He added that the festival delivered a multimillion-dollar economic boost to the region and called the news disappointing.
“The event was a huge success drawing tens of thousands of visitors, making a multi-million-dollar economic impact on the Upstate,” Burns said. “Of course, we are disappointed that Rock the Country will not return to Anderson this year.”
Rock the Country 2026: Cities and Dates
Bellville, Texas — May 1-2
Bloomingdale, Georgia — May 29-30
Sioux Falls, South Dakota — June 27-28
Ashland, Kentucky — July 10-11
Hastings, Michigan — August 8-9
Ocala, Florida — August 28-29
Hamburg, New York — September 11-12
