Evergreen Terrace Exits Shell Shock II Festival, Citing Kyle Rittenhouse's Inclusion

 

Jacksonville, Florida-based metalcore band Evergreen Terrace has pulled out of the Shell Shock II festival, where they were set to headline next month. The band’s withdrawal is due, in part, to the festival's decision to feature controversial conservative figure Kyle Rittenhouse as a “VIP Guest.”

The festival, which aims to raise awareness and funds for PTSD, is hosted by The Anti Hero Podcast and features several bands with ties to first responders. Following the announcement of Rittenhouse’s involvement, the festival's social media accounts have reportedly gone private. However, according to The PRP, the organizers initially expressed excitement about Rittenhouse’s appearance.

Rittenhouse became a polarizing figure in 2020 after traveling to Kenosha, WI, during protests following the police shooting of Jacob Blake. While there, he fatally shot two men and injured another, later claiming self-defense. A court ultimately found him not guilty, but he remains a divisive figure. His supporters often highlight the criminal backgrounds of his victims, while critics argue that Rittenhouse was unaware of those details at the time of the shootings.

In a statement shared on Instagram, Evergreen Terrace addressed their decision, stating, “Evergreen Terrace has always supported philanthropic causes such as veterans’ affairs, PTSD awareness, and child poverty. However, we cannot align ourselves with an event that promotes someone we see as a perceived murderer capitalizing on pseudo-celebrity status.”

The band explained that even after organizers offered to remove Rittenhouse from the lineup, they found other associations with the event that they could not support. They emphasized their commitment to free speech but felt the need to distance themselves from the festival, urging fans to contribute directly to veterans' charities.

The future of Shell Shock II, including Rittenhouse’s involvement, remains unclear. Evergreen Terrace plans to return to the stage soon, with their next stop in Orlando.