Furnace Fest is facing questions after festivalgoers reportedly spotted merchandise from the politically controversial Rock The Country festival being repurposed and sold at this year’s event.
The 2026 edition of Furnace Fest took place this past weekend at Sloss Furnaces in Birmingham, Alabama, marking the festival’s return under new ownership following significant financial difficulties in 2025. However, reports about the event’s merchandise have sparked a separate conversation about the festival’s new direction and the company reportedly behind its acquisition.
According to fan reports circulating online, mugs selling for $50 at Furnace Fest appeared to feature original Rock The Country branding covered by a Furnace Fest sticker. Concertgoers also reportedly noticed spelling errors on the stickers and other festival-related items.
Video footage that appears to show the reused merchandise has circulated on Reddit. While the footage has prompted questions about the mugs’ origins, the claims have not been independently confirmed, and it remains possible that the items could have been altered or misrepresented.
The reports have drawn additional attention because of the connection between the two festivals. Peachtree Entertainment has been reported to have taken control of Furnace Fest, although that ownership change has not been officially confirmed in the source report. The company is also behind Rock The Country, a festival tour that has faced criticism over its associations with MAGA culture and its booking of artists who have expressed conservative and Republican political views.
The Rock The Country tour has encountered several setbacks, including canceled shows and performers withdrawing from the lineup after facing public criticism. Shinedown was among the acts that ultimately pulled out, following backlash surrounding the event and the band’s initial involvement.
Furnace Fest’s change in ownership followed the financial challenges experienced by its previous organizers. The transition has also coincided with a shift toward a more mainstream lineup compared with the festival’s previous focus on metalcore, hardcore, emo and alternative music.
This year’s event featured Bring Me The Horizon, who performed in celebration of the 20th anniversary of their debut album, ‘Count Your Blessings’, alongside A Day To Remember.
For now, the merchandise claims remain based on reports from festival attendees, and the circumstances surrounding the mugs’ apparent branding have yet to be fully established.
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