The recent sale of Furnace Fest, the annual hardcore, metalcore, and emo-focused festival resurrected in 2021, has stirred controversy within the community. Following significant financial losses last year — including unpaid artist guarantees — organizers sold the festival to an undisclosed production company to settle debts.
Former managing partner Johnny Grimes confirmed the handover, stating: "We approached a large production company… They paid the remaining artist's balances, and for that, we are super thankful.
"But the sad reality in all of this is that in order for that to happen, we had to hand over Furnace Fest completely… Now my hope was that we would still be a part of Furnace Fest in some capacity, but it's become clear that we will not be involved moving forward."
However, festival promoter Mike Ziemer, who was also heavily involved with Furnace Fest, has gone public with strong criticism of the sale and his former partners' handling of the festival.
In a lengthy social media post, Ziemer alleged: "Myself and Ryan Luther were lied to, gaslit, and left off the team after 2024… The remaining two partners got greedy and felt they could do it without us in 2025 despite telling us over and over the fest couldn't sustain a profit outside of year 1 and 2.
"I kept my mouth shut because I was promised a buy out that never came. Another lie… I promise that this will never be the Furnace Fest you all know and love without myself and Ryan being a part of it."
Ziemer detailed his extensive role in the festival's operations from 2021–2024, including booking, marketing, on-site coordination, and sponsor/ticketing relationships, claiming that the sale disregarded the contributions of himself and Luther.
Despite the fallout, Ziemer is looking ahead. On February 3, he announced tentative plans to resurrect the So What?! Music Festival in 2027, pledging to assemble a "dream team of partners" to ensure its sustainability: "I know what the festival means to so many people around the world and I'm ready to relaunch it, even if we scale it down first to build it back up."
The So What?! Music Festival, traditionally held around Fort Worth, Texas, last ran in 2024. Ziemer's announcement signals a renewed effort to reconnect with fans and rebuild a festival brand he helped establish.
As Furnace Fest enters a new chapter under its new ownership, the hardcore and metalcore community is left watching closely to see if the festival can maintain its legacy — and how Ziemer's So What?! revival might redefine the scene in the coming years.
