Herd Immunity Fest is already shaping up to be the Fyre Festival of 2020. Only, instead of cold American cheese sandwiches and FEMA disaster tents, the poorly-branded Herd Immunity Fest will feature a deadly disease as a headliner.
The Wisconsin-based hard rock festival announced a name change to the much-less catchy “July Mini Fest” after headlining act Nonpoint dropped off the lineup due to the callous title for a festival taking place while COVID-19 continues to kill hundreds across the country each week. The festival is still set to take place July 16th—18th at The Q & Z Expo Center in Ringle, WI.
Related: Adult Swim Con Virtual Event To Feature Performances From Flying Lotus, More
Despite the change in name, all of the same COVID-19 precautions (or lack thereof) remain in place. Upon the initial announcement, festival organizers stated that the venue, which can reportedly hold over 10,000 people, will be held at a reduced capacity of 2,500 people. Yet, there are no physical barriers to prevent those 2,500 people to get as close as they want in the pit. Rather, July Mini Fest organizers are simply leaving the decision up to attendees. In the festival’s Eventbrite description, organizers give about as much attention to social distancing precautions as they do Marathon County noise ordinances.
The remainder of the lineup, which features headliners Static-X, Dope, Royal Bliss, Blacktop Mojo, and a reunion performance by Bobaflex, is still in tact. In Nonpoint’s statement to Heavy Consequence upon dropping off of the lineup, the band noted that it had no idea that the festival was branding itself as “Herd Immunity Fest.” “As soon as the band saw [that] they changed the title of Fest to ‘Herd Immunity Fest’, they dropped off,” the statement said.
As the public backlash grew over the event’s tasteless marketing, organizers deleted the initial postings that used the phrase “Herd Immunity Fest” and added the following statement,
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.
Additionally, July Mini Fest posted an updated lineup that shows Adelitas Way has promptly taken the headlining spot vacated by Nonpoint. The lineup has also seen the additions of Sponge, Beyond Threshold, and The Night Crawlers since rebranding to July Mini Fest.
According to organizers, July Mini Fest tickets have been “selling fast” so get them while they’re hot. Like, 103 degrees Fahrenheit hot.
[H/T Consequence of Sound]