Charley Crockett’s decision to remove Los Angeles rock duo Twin Temple from two dates on his Age of the Ram Tour has sparked debate across the music world, raising questions about artistic freedom, tour curation, and whether the pairing should have happened in the first place.
The controversy unfolded just days before the scheduled performances, with Twin Temple revealing they had been dropped because of their self-described Satanic imagery. While the move disappointed the duo and many of their supporters, Crockett later confirmed the decision with a brief but memorable response that quickly became one of the story’s most discussed moments.
Charley Crockett Removes Twin Temple From Two July 2026 Tour Stops
Twin Temple—made up of husband-and-wife duo Alexandra James (singer) and Zachary James (guitarist)—had originally been booked to open for Charley Crockett on two Age of the Ram Tour dates:
| Date | Location | Event |
| July 14, 2026 | Troutdale, Oregon | Twin Temple removed as opening act |
| July 18, 2026 | Paso Robles, California | Twin Temple removed as opening act |
The removal was announced shortly before the concerts, around July 8–9, 2026.
Twin Temple is widely known for performing what they describe as “Satanic doo-wop,” blending 1960s and 1970s-inspired doo-wop, vintage pop, and rock with overt occult and Satanic themes.
Their catalogue includes songs such as “Lucifer, My Love,” “Let’s Have a Satanic Orgy,” “Satan’s a Woman,” and “Burn Your Bible.” Their live performances and visual identity regularly feature pentagrams, upside-down crosses, altars, theatrical props, and other Satanic symbolism. The duo openly identifies with Satanism and frequently concludes public statements with “Hail Satan!”
Twin Temple Says They Were Removed Because of Their Satanic Imagery
Announcing the news on Instagram around July 8–9, Twin Temple explained exactly why they would no longer appear on the tour.
The band wrote:
“Today we were informed that Charley Crockett has decided to remove Twin Temple from his upcoming shows next week due to our Satanic imagery. Unfortunately, that means we will not be able to perform for you next week as planned. We are really disappointed as we were looking forward to getting back out and seeing you, and also what it meant as far as bringing different types of people [and] music lovers together. We are sorry to everyone who was planning to see us. We’re grateful for your support, not only of Twin Temple, but more importantly of artistic freedom. HAIL SATAN! 93/93.”
At the time of the initial reports, no replacement opening acts had been announced for either performance.
Charley Crockett Explains Why He Made the Decision
Speaking through his representative to Rolling Stone, Crockett confirmed the removal and summed up his reasoning with a short statement.
He said:
“I thought they were like Black Sabbath, but they ain’t. Not today, Satan.”
The comment suggested that Crockett or his team initially underestimated how central Twin Temple’s Satanic identity was beyond the broader dark or occult imagery commonly associated with rock music. While Black Sabbath has long been linked with dark themes, the band is not explicitly Satanic in the same way Twin Temple publicly presents itself.
Beyond that quote, Crockett has not issued a broader public statement regarding the decision.
How the Booking Happened and the Mixed Reaction That Followed
Exactly how Twin Temple landed on the tour remains unclear. However, some observers pointed to mutual acquaintance Shooter Jennings, who has both produced for Crockett and supported Twin Temple, as a possible connection.
The decision generated mixed reactions.
Some Twin Temple fans and critics expressed disappointment in Crockett, citing his own history of railing against industry gatekeepers and “the man,” seeing this as inconsistent or limiting artistic freedom.
Others found the situation humorous or predictable, commenting: “How did they not know Satanic Doo-Wop would have Satanic imagery?”
Country fans largely seemed supportive of Crockett’s right to curate his own tour.
Jack White Publicly Invites Twin Temple to Open His Show
The story took another turn after the removal when Jack White publicly offered Twin Temple another high-profile opportunity.
White invited the duo to open his September 29, 2026, show at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles, posting:
“Twin Temple, Would you like to open my show… Let me know. Get in front of me Satan!”
The invitation generated additional buzz and support for the band following their removal from Crockett’s tour.
Twin Temple is also scheduled to open for Danzig on parts of a September tour, ensuring the duo will still have prominent live appearances despite the July cancellation.
The episode has ultimately highlighted two competing viewpoints that continue to divide music fans: an artist’s freedom to present provocative imagery and a headliner’s right to decide who shares the stage on their own tour.
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