Nickelback has never really cared if people like them or not. The Canadian rock band is used to being called “the world’s most hated band” and has even embraced it in recent years. But now, some fans especially in Canada, are upset after the band joined Kid Rock as co-headliners of a U.S. music festival called Rock the Country.
The festival is described as a celebration for “God-fearing patriots” in small towns across the U.S. It has a clear pro-Trump, conservative message. One person online wrote, “If you hated Nickelback before, how about now that they’re doing a MAGA-friendly festival tour?”
Rock the Country started in April and runs through July, with 10 stops. Besides Nickelback and Kid Rock, the lineup includes bands like Lynyrd Skynyrd (known for using Confederate flags), country singer Hank Williams Jr., and Lee Greenwood, famous for the song “God Bless the USA.” Greenwood also teamed up with Trump to sell a Bible for $59.99. Even rapper Afroman is on the tour, though many fans found that surprising.
Nickelback is the only Canadian band on the tour. Bassist Mike Kroeger said they’re excited to play in places they’ve never been before and connect with fans in those communities. But when asked for more comments, Nickelback’s team didn’t respond.
Nickelback usually doesn’t get involved in politics. Their music is more about rock and having fun. But this tour has made some Canadians upset, especially since Trump is not popular in Canada. A recent poll showed that most Canadians view Trump very negatively, especially after he joked about turning Canada into the U.S.’s 51st state.
