Pearl Jam Cancels 4/20 Raleigh, NC Concert in Opposition to HB2; Official Band Statement

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Pearl Jam Cancels 4/20 Raleigh, NC Concert in Opposition to HB2; Official Band Statement
April 18, 2016

PEARL JAM STATEMENT

It is with deep consideration and much regret that we must cancel the Raleigh show in North Carolina on April 20th.

This will be upsetting to those who have tickets and you can be assured that we are equally frustrated by the situation.

The HB2 law that was recently passed is a despicable piece of legislation that encourages discrimination against an entire group of American citizens. The practical implications are expansive and its negative impact upon basic human rights is profound. We want America to be a place where no one can be turned away from a business because of who they love or fired from their job for who they are.

It is for this reason that we must take a stand against prejudice, along with other artists and businesses, and join those in North Carolina who are working to oppose HB2 and repair what is currently unacceptable.

We have communicated with local groups and will be providing them with funds to help facilitate progress on this issue.

In the meantime we will be watching with hope and waiting in line for a time when we can return.

Perhaps even celebrate.

With immense gratitude for your understanding,

Pearl Jam




What is HB2?

North Carolina’s HB2 legislation targets the basic rights of transgender people and strips many nondiscrimination protections from the state’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community. In addition to harming LGBT North Carolinians, the law limits the ability of municipalities to provide living wages above what the state provides, closes the door on state courts as a recourse for employment nondiscrimination claims, and imposes the values of Raleigh lawmakers on local elected officials and the people they serve.

What Needs To Be Done:

Please join us in signing this petition to repeal HB2
http://equalitync.org/action/repeal_HB2/

N.C. Organizations We Are Supporting:

http://equalitync.org
http://www.naacpnc.org
http://www.lgbtcenterofraleigh.com
http://www.qords.org

Ticket Refunds:

Provided at point of purchase

For fans that purchased Ten Club tickets to the Raleigh show, your cards will automatically be refunded for the full ticket price in USD this week.

Thirty Bills Unpaid

Wow.

HughFreakingDillon

I second that.

JP Losman

So whack

zman

this hurts more fans than it does help anyone else

2-feign-reluctance

Awesome!!

given2fly23

While it sucks for fans, it does bring attention to the issue. I watched an interview w/ the governor yesterday morning on MTP and the guy is a smug, despicable piece of shit who is completely detached from reality. $$$ is the only way to get his attention.

whitepants

I understand brothers. Peace.

Hoccapuk

I understand what they're doing and why but as it's been mentioned already you're hurting the fans and those who work the shows...totally bummed...and why 2 days before the show when this has been in the works for weeks?

Why not play and use the platform you have?

rummy

Bring on the debates on the boards!

RP112579

Wow!

cvk

It stinks but it had to be done.

zevilone

Columbia tix are ridiculously cheap right now on stubhub for those who need to change plans quickly

Spiritual_Chaos

Fans shouldn't be punished for this. Play the show and turn into into a manifestation, donate money to the cause, invite people to talk about it on stage, release an EP of songs from the show with proceeds going to the cause or whatever.

I think this is the wrong thing to do - especially for PJ who knows they have a fanbase who travels (far) to see them.

buck502000

Don't have an opinion - don't know how to feel, indifferent. Feel bad for traveling fans.

mcgruff10

Wow. Good for you pj. After they revoke the law please go back and play twice as long.

pearldavidson

Ouch!

elwayvedder

The show posters and merch should be auctioned off to help what the band believes in

MayDay10

Very disappointed. Lost a few hundred on the flight.

Not going to get mad... although I want to

2-feign-reluctance

Spiritual_Chaos said:

Fans shouldn't be punished for this. Play the show and turn into into a manifestation, donate money to the cause or whatever.

I think this is the wrong thing to do - especially for PJ who knows they have a fanbase who travels (far) to see them.

Think of how much more wrong HB2 is. The touring base will get over this in the long term.

nothingman44

While I can understand the reasoning and applaud PJ as well as many other bands and businesses for taking a stand against this stupid law, taking this kind of action really does hurt the fans. Especially those who have spent countless dollars on airfare and hotels.

But the main point is this is such a dumb law and I applaud all those who are standing up to it.

MayDay10

Ok. Now anger is setting in

athenssmile

That is great that Pearl Jam will refund my tickets, but I have lost $125 for my hotel room that I can't get refunded because I went through priceline.

Washed

I'm devastated but respect your decision...gotta do what you believe is right. However, I'm holding onto my Raleigh ticket and when we finally overturn this bullshit, hate-fueled law...it's on.

F Me In The Brain

Sorry for those who had tickets and plans to attend. Think it may have been a bigger platform for them to go and spend significant time addressing their beliefs so that the fans with travel arrangements didn't get hosed 2 days prior to the show. Understand that this is what they felt they needed to do. Perhaps they could have arranged weeks ago to play somewhere within driving distance of Raleigh or something like that?
(And still have talked shit on the govt of NC and had a better platform than to do what others have done and cancel.)

CServant

While I understand, they should have announced earlier.

JimmyV

I just...wow. I fully respect and understand the decision, but this could have been done a week ago.

BIGDaddyWil

Thanks for the last minute notice! Why couldn't they've announced this sooner?

Spiritual_Chaos

2-feign-reluctance said:

Spiritual_Chaos said:

Fans shouldn't be punished for this. Play the show and turn into into a manifestation, donate money to the cause or whatever.

I think this is the wrong thing to do - especially for PJ who knows they have a fanbase who travels (far) to see them.

Think of how much more wrong HB2 is. The touring base will get over this in the long term.

2-feign-reluctance said:

Spiritual_Chaos said:

Fans shouldn't be punished for this. Play the show and turn into into a manifestation, donate money to the cause or whatever.

I think this is the wrong thing to do - especially for PJ who knows they have a fanbase who travels (far) to see them.

Think of how much more wrong HB2 is. The touring base will get over this in the long term.

Just because the HB2 is a shitty law, doesn't mean cancelling is the only – or the best method.

They are using their fans as ammunition.

And so close to the show – just like Bruce. Why didn't they cancel it earlier when he did it if they want to follow suit? Disrespectful to the fans – and I believe they could have protested and still played the concert.

2-feign-reluctance

P

athenssmile said:

That is great that Pearl Jam will refund my tickets, but I have lost $125 for my hotel room that I can't get refunded because I went through priceline.

Perhaps your hotel can offer you a redeemable credit for the future. Surely if you contact them, they will know about this news and perhaps consider something?

JS188455

Good thing I flew in on Saturday...
I understand the cancellation but am angry they did the same as Bruce and waited very last minute to cancel.