Eminem‘s longtime manager Paul Rosenberg has responded to public criticism of a loud noise heard during the rapper’s Saturday (June 9) performance at Bonnaroo, which multiple attendees described as a “gunshot” sound effect that caused frightened festivalgoers to fear the worst.
“Contrary to inaccurate reports, @Eminem does not use gunshot sound effects during his live show,” Rosenberg wrote on Instagram. “The effect used by Eminem in his set at @bonnaroo was a pyrotechnic concussion which creates a loud boom. He has used this effect — as have hundreds other artists — in his live show for over 10 years, including previous US festival dates in 2018 without complaint.”
But whether “gunshot sound” or “loud boom,” the bang frightened some attendees, including those who said they wish they’d been warned in advance about the noise. Other fans have come to Eminem’s defense, saying he’s used similar sound effects in the past or slamming critics as newbie fans who should’ve known what to expect.
Criticism of the sound effect at Eminem’s Bonnaroo set comes after multiple recent mass shootings and concert disasters, including the bombing at Ariana Grande’s concert in Manchester, England just over one year ago and the massacre that killed 58 people at the Route 91 Harvest country music festival in Las Vegas last October. You can watch a clip of the relevant moment from Eminem’s Bonnaroo set below.
@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
