Dylan Marlowe Gets Kicked Out of His Own Show at Country Jam USA
UNITED STATES — In a bizarre twist that has stunned country music fans, rising star Dylan Marlowe was kicked out of the very festival where he had just performed — Country Jam USA. The incident, which quickly gained traction across social media platforms, highlights what happens when backstage protocol, overzealous security, and a miscommunication collide.
A Rising Country Name With Chart-Topping Cred
Marlowe, best known for co-writing Jon Pardi’s No. 1 hit “Last Night Lonely”, has been climbing fast in the country scene. His debut album Mid-Twenties Crisis dropped in September 2024, earning praise for its blend of Southern grit and modern edge. His inspirations include genre legends like Kenny Chesney and Eric Church, but also punk icons like Blink-182 and Linkin Park, giving his music a unique emotional punch.
The Incident: Kicked Out After His Set
The drama unfolded on Saturday night, July 20, during Country Jam USA in Wisconsin. After performing his scheduled set, Marlowe tried to watch Jake Owen’s performance from the front-of-house tower — a two-level booth area near the stage.
According to a now-deleted video posted to Marlowe’s TikTok, a security guard confronted him and insisted he leave the area, despite him wearing an all-access artist pass. The footage shows Marlowe walking calmly while the guard holds his shirt, prompting viewers to comment on the security’s aggressive posture.
Fans immediately took to social media to defend Marlowe, with one viral comment reading, “Bro let go of his shirt. Bros a security guard and think he’s above the law.” Another wrote, “That’s Dylan Marlowe. How do you not recognize the artist who just played?”
Marlowe Responds: ‘I Wasn’t Perfect, But I Wasn’t Wrong’
In a follow-up post, Marlowe explained what led to the viral moment. He acknowledged that while he did get a little rude after the guard escalated, the situation began with him trying to watch Jake Owen’s set without disrupting fans.
“Just trying to stay out of the way… We’re up top watching, probably for 10 or 12 minutes. This dude comes up and says, you know, we can’t be there,” Marlowe said in his video statement.
Things got more complicated when local police were called in. Despite showing their passes and explaining they were allowed backstage, officers said they had to follow the directive of the head of security — the same guard who was ejecting them.
“We talked to the cops and we say, hey guys, like we had these passes… The cops said, ‘This dude, this security guy is our boss.’”
No Hard Feelings, But A Lesson in Backstage Chaos
Though clearly frustrated, Marlowe later took a level-headed stance, saying he deleted the video and wanted to move on.
“The festival was great, and all those people there were great… I posted it from a place of frustration yesterday. I was pretty angry when I got backstage.”
The incident has sparked conversations across TikTok and music forums about security training, artist treatment, and the unpredictability of live events.
What Do You Think?
Have music events become too over-regulated, or was this just a fluke misunderstanding? Share your take at ChicagoMusicGuide.com and let us know how you’d react if you were in Dylan’s boots.