The 2026 Rock the Country music festival, co-founded and headlined by Kid Rock, has faced growing turmoil in recent days as multiple artists have pulled out of the lineup — prompting the cancellation of a planned stop in Anderson, South Carolina and stirring criticism from fans and industry observers alike.
The two-day festival dates scheduled for July 25–26, 2026 in Anderson were officially scrapped after several performers withdrew from the bill. Local officials in Anderson confirmed the cancellation, describing the festival’s absence as disappointing given its prior economic impact on the region.
“An event of this caliber proved what a great venue and exceptional hospitality we have here in Anderson County,” Anderson County administrator Rusty Burns told local media, adding that the region had benefitted significantly from past editions of the festival.
Several acts originally listed on the Rock the Country lineup have since removed themselves or been removed from the tour, often citing public backlash or misalignment with the festival’s evolving image:
Confirmed Artists Who Have Pulled Out
- Shinedown — Announced via social media that they withdrew, stating their mission is to “unite people through music,” and that they did not want to contribute to what they believed could “create further division.”
- Ludacris — A representative later said his name had been included by mistake and was never meant to be part of the lineup, a decision that followed strong fan reactions.
- Morgan Wade — No longer listed on the festival schedule after originally being announced.
- Carter Faith — Also dropped off the roster.
- Creed — Removed from the lineup, likely connected to the South Carolina date cancellation.
The lineup upheaval became so severe that organizers opted to cancel the Anderson stop rather than attempt last-minute replacements — a rare move for a touring festival.
While the South Carolina cancellation has already taken effect, Rock the Country organizers and associated spokespeople have stressed that the tour will still go forward in other cities. Remaining dates — set through May to September 2026 — include stops in:
- Bellville, Texas
- Bloomingdale, Georgia
- Sioux Falls, South Dakota
- Ashland, Kentucky
- Hastings, Michigan
- Ocala, Florida
- Hamburg, New York
Despite the lost acts, headliners such as Jason Aldean, Blake Shelton, Jelly Roll, Brooks & Dunn, Riley Green, Miranda Lambert, Hank Williams Jr., and Lynyrd Skynyrd remain scheduled to perform.
The festival’s challenges come amid ongoing conversation around the event’s branding and associations. Although organizers do not officially label it a political festival, Rock the Country has been described in some outlets as having political undertones, partly due to the participation of performers publicly associated with conservative causes and Kid Rock’s own role headlining an alternative Super Bowl halftime show tied to Turning Point USA.
This context has fueled part of the backlash that contributed to artist exits, especially from acts emphasizing inclusivity or caution about alignment with polarizing cultural moments.
With the Anderson, SC stop canceled and several lineup changes already in place, the future dynamics of Rock the Country’s 2026 tour remain under close watch by fans and industry observers. Organizers have not indicated additional cancellations but must navigate potential further departures even as the tour presses on.
