Back in 2022, Nickeblack's Chad Kroeger said that he was "ready for the world to hate us again," and now he's revealed how he's going to make that happen: the band are co-headlining a patriotic American music festival alongside Kid Rock.
Rock the Country is a travelling festival hitting 10 cities, mostly in the Southern US. The festival's official description on its website reads, "Rock the Country is more than just a festival — it's a gathering for the true heart of America. This is where hardworking, God-fearing patriots unite under the open sky, celebrating the freedom we hold dear and the power of live music to connect us all."
The lineup also includes Hank Williams Jr., whoever's still alive from Lynyrd Skynyrd, Staind-fronting MAGA dude Aaron Lewis, Travis Tritt and a bunch of other shit. Seemingly everyone else on the bill is from the US, except for Nickelback.
The festival reportedly includes a recorded introduction from Donald Trump for Kid Rock's performance.
Nickelback were announced as part of the festival lineup back in November 2024 — which, to be fair to them, was well before all the "51st state" talk and trade war shenanigans began.
Nickelback bassist Michael Kroeger sidestepped the issues at hand in a statement about the festival, saying, "We're really looking forward to hitting the road and visiting some amazing towns, especially in places we've never played before. There's something special about connecting with fans in these communities, and we're ready to bring our best and truly rock the country. Can't wait to see you all out there!"
Meanwhile, Nickelback's social media comments sections are now flooded with fans expressing their disappointment at the band's seemingly Trump-friendly turn.