Kevin Winter/Getty Images for iHeartMedia
After the recent mass shootings and intense gun violence in the United States that have left hundreds dead and even more injured, a lot of Americans are particularly sensitive to the sound of gunshots. This was very apparent during Eminem's set at Bonnaroo when the sound of gunshots coming from the stage left many festival goers feeling panicked and afraid.
According to multiple accounts from social media, including videos from the show, when the gunshot sound effects went off, they were so realistic sounding that audience members feared there was an actual shooting underway. One festival-goer tweeted that he had to leave the area because "panic was setting in" amongst the crowd.
@Eminem the gun shot sound effects @bonnaroo 🤜 my friends in tears on the ground. 🙌👏 way to go @Eminem
— M (@macykatemusic) June 10, 2018
coming from a performing stand point, i get the effect of sound effects on stage, but there’s a certain point that cross’s the line. i’m one of eminem’s number 1 fans but to hear 3 gun shots coming straight from his set had me scared af. not gonna lie. especially in this world...
— M (@macykatemusic) June 10, 2018
Less than a year after Vegas and @Eminem thinks it’s a good idea to blast gun shot sfx onstage at a music festival? Bad call on this headliner @bonnaroo. What happened to Radiate Positivity?
— Brad King (@BradKing32) June 10, 2018
Being at a festival/concert in these current times brings new concerns & fears. Had to leave @Eminem set after 3rd gunshot at @Bonnaroo cuz panic was setting in my section (front pit). Extremely realistic &scary! Would have been good to have a warning before show. #irresponsible
— Cristi Williams (@ShadingLimelite) June 10, 2018
@AndreaRussett @sandwahhh @macykatemusic found this on instagram, the way everyone screams and the camera drops is terrifying pic.twitter.com/mZRwdqoWB4
— Sydney (@Sydneyheight1) June 10, 2018
