Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana will host a New Year’s Eve concert Friday night at the Hard Rock Cafe. The event starts at 8:30pm local time with a performance from a Chicago tribute band called Run River Run. Smash Mouth will take the stage at 10:45pm, while admission is free.
Smash Mouth will be headlining the concert, a last-minute change from the original headliner. Sugar Ray had been scheduled to perform, until a member of the touring party tested positive for Covid-19.
“A member of our immediate touring party has tested positive for Covid-19 and to protect the safety of fans and everyone around us, we will sadly have to cancel our show at the Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana,” Sugar Ray said in a statement.
Smash Mouth has been short-handed since the departure of founding singer Steve Harwell, who had left the band and retired from music, citing health issues. A friend of the band has been filling in as its singer at recent concerts.
Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana will be taking health and safety precautions in accordance with guidelines from the state and the Indiana Gaming Commission. Face masks will be optional for team members and guests.
Hand sanitizer stations will be readily available, and guests will have easy access to them. The casino will also be using enhanced cleaning and sanitizing protocols to help protect guests, and all public areas will be cleaned thoroughly. All of these measures are part of the casino’s Safe and Sound initiative.
