Smash Mouth’s concert on Sunday in front of a large crowd at Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in South Dakota drew widespread congestion.
Despite the coronavirus pandemic, thousands upon thousands of cyclists in the small town of Sturgis on Friday before the start of the annual motor rally. More than 250,000 people are expected to attend the 10-day rally, making it one of the largest events to take place during the pandemic.
South Dakota has seen an uptick in coronavirus infections in recent weeks.
The band was one of the highlights at the Sturgis Buffalo Chip music festival.
Smash Mouth was one of several musical acts – including Trapt, Night Ranger, Saving Abel, Buckcherry, Reverend Horton Heat, 38 Special, Quiet Riot and Big Skillet – to play at the multi-day festival where admission to the entire event is $ 360 per price cost per person, according to the Buffalo Chip website.
Videos and photos posted on social media showed a lot in the vast crowd of seemingly fleeting social distancing guidelines Sunday night. Most attendees showed that they were not wearing masks.
Event organizers said signs will be placed at all entrances and areas to remind guests to stay socially engaged, encourage the use of face masks and make recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to help spread COVID. 19, to prevent the disease caused by the coronavirus. Masks are required for entry and it is recommended that they be kept, according to organizers.
Frontman Steve Harwell told the crowd, “We’re all here tonight. F — that COVID s —,” one video shows.
Smash Mouth did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
In a survey of residents conducted by the city, more than 60 percent said the rally should be postponed, The Associated Press reported. But companies pressured the City Council to continue.
Some Twitter users praised their fun at Smash Mouth, shouting the line “I’m not the sharpest tool in the dish” from their song “All Star” in response to the decision to perform at the big event.
“Imagine risking your exposure to Covid for this … and voluntary exposure to Smash Mouth at the same time,” one user tweeted.
Another user tweeted, “That Smash Mouth fans are immediately ready to risk the death of hearing All Star live.”
Smash Mouth is one of the last musical acts to come under fire for performing at a packed live event in recent months.
A charity concert with The Chainsmokers in the Hamptons of New York last month drew widespread outrage and a state investigation into videos showed attendees appearing to ignore social distancing guidance.
