Eminem’s manager responds to criticism of use of ‘gunshot sound effects’ during Bonnaroo set

"I’ve never felt more traumatized and ready to panic. Completely inappropriate," said one attendee

Eminem‘s manager has responded to criticism levelled at the rapper after it was reported he used “realistic” gunshot sound effects during his Bonnaroo festival show.

The rapper headlined the event in Manchester, Tennessee on Saturday night (June 9). The Killers and Muse also top the bill for the festival’s 17th edition.

As Billboard reports, fans watching Marshall Mathers were highly alarmed when multiple loud blasts were heard during a performance of 2000’s ‘Kill You’. Following the mass shooting at Las Vegas’ Route 91 Harvest Festival last year, Eminem’s controversial artistic decision has been branded “EXTREMELY irresponsible and distasteful” by one attendee. Many others have also voiced their criticism online.

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Popular social media figure Andrea Russett tweeted: “I hate to be the one to say it, but being someone who suffers from very mild PTSD, it was EXTREMELY irresponsible and distasteful to end songs w the shotgun sound effect. I have grown up loving Eminem and his music but I was extremely triggered to the point of tears.”

She added: “To hear a gunshot sound effect and see the entire crowd drop to the floor out of instinct is not funny, cute, or amusing. This is the sad reality that we are living. This is not funny or even something to be joked about.”

An Instagram post of the performance was captioned by a fan: “A LITTLE TOO REAL AT THE END”. The clip was reposted, with another user describing the screams from the crowd as “terrifying”. Check out more reactions below.

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However, some fans pointed out that Eminem has used the gunshot effects in his set for around six years.

Now, Eminem’s manager Paul Rosenberg has denied the rapper’s set featured the alleged sound effects. “Contrary to inaccurate reports, @Eminem does not use gunshot sound effects during his live show,” he wrote in an Instagram post. “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.”

Meanwhile, it was confirmed on Friday (June 8) that a man was found dead in his car at the festival. No cause of death has yet been determined. Bonnaroo organisers said in a statement: “The safety of our patrons is our highest priority and our sympathies go out to his family and friends.”

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