Trending

Smash Mouth performs at Sturgis to packed crowd

STURGIS, S.D. — Smash Mouth took the stage to perform during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally Sunday amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The band and concertgoers are now facing backlash as thousands of bikers packed the venue to hear Smash Mouth play.

Most of the attendees were not wearing masks and were packed near the stage for the Buffalo Chip campground concert, USA Today reported.

Frontman Steve Harwell fired back at the pandemic using expletives to describe the ongoing pandemic and his comments were met by cheers, USA Today reported.

Normally Sturgis brings in about 500,000 visitors to the South Dakota town. The event is being held for the 80th year and organizers said social distancing would be recommended, CNN reported.

But health experts are worried that the rally could be a super-spreader event that may bring a resurgence of the virus, according to CNN.

Despite the crowds, the band said the concert’s promoters took all safety precautions they could for the event to be held safely, Billboard reported.

The owner of the campground which is a focal point of the rally told CNN signs were to be installed reminding visitors to stay socially distant and to frequently sanitize their hands.

The rally runs from Aug. 7 until Aug. 16 with more events and concerts including performances from Quiet Riot and Night Ranger, Fox News reported.