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

Tim Simmons

As was said earlier there may be a contractual reason it's 48hrs notice.

PJlive

JP Losman said:

PJlive said:

JP Losman said:

hsohi said:

JP Losman said:

I think they are clueless and this is grandstanding by the band...you just played Florida with the crazy stand your ground laws...you are playing states with horrible voter ID laws that are racist and a civil rights problem. and you aren't listening to the people that are actually being discriminated or the people actually trying to repeal the law.

http://perezhilton.com/2016-04-12-north-carolina-needs-you-gay-friendly-organizations-asking-artists-not-cancel-shows

Stand your ground laws allow people to defend themselves...pal

Yea tell that to Trayvon Martin's family

I will and would. He wasn't so innocent was he... Get your head out of your ass.

Ok...we have found ourselves the one pearl jam in favor of HB2 so this guy has been impacted positively by PJ taking a stance. Standing ovation for him people.

Obviously your comprehension skills SUCK! I am not for any of it. Your the one parading around the site commenting how equal rights basically means shit to you.

RP112579

Based on all of this anger on the internet my 10c seats will be so much better on the next tour!

AlaG

farfromglorified said:

AlaG said:

While I feel bummed for all the peeps with non-refundable plane tickets and hotel bookings, you also need to recognize that you're in a very small percentage of the band's fanbase. I doubt when making these decisions, their first thought is - "but man, we'd really be screwing that .5% of our fanbase that travels nationwide to see us".

You know what this post reminds me of? Politicians who pass discriminatory laws aimed at a small percentage of the population.

Except their intent isn't to punish you at all... So no, not really. Not at all, actually.

BS44325

When radio stations boycotted for disagreeing with the Dixie Chicks that was unavcept

CM189191 said:

Serious question: how much does it cost a band like PJ to pull out of a show like this? There had to be some deposit or penalty by the venue.

PJ loses their deposit...maybe even their whole fee as it is so close to show time. Guess what though? The state gets their cut of that. The state also gets their cut of hotel and uncancelled airfare. Some fans are already in NC and the state will get their money as well. There is barely any economic impact at all this close to show time. The State Don't Care Cause It Already Got It's Share!

Spiritual_Chaos

TP80392 said:

By cancelling the performance, Pearl Jam had brought more attention to the issue than if they played and donated money

http://nydailynews.com/entertainment/music/pearl-jam-cancels-north-carolina-hb2-law-article-1.2606177

You don't know that.

Thirty Bills Unpaid

TP80392 said:

By cancelling the performance, Pearl Jam had brought more attention to the issue than if they played and donated money

http://nydailynews.com/entertainment/music/pearl-jam-cancels-north-carolina-hb2-law-article-1.2606177

Ultimately, this is true.

There's no question the issue is the biggest item and it's an honourable move... but I do feel badly for those bearing the weight of the decision.

Pearl34Jam

"Since your state passed a law that offends us, we're gonna drink the Kool-aid and piss on everyone who had nothing to do with it"

given2fly23

Tim Simmons said:

fall by the wayside said:

Proud to be a fan of this band today. Ashamed to be a part of this fan base. I get it. I would be upset too. We all look so forward to these shows. But the selfishness and childishness is ridiculous. The band is not punishing you. You are collateral damage. It sucks. It's just that the band thinks the civil rights of others are more important than your concert. End story. It's also unfortunate to see tough life lessons being learned about purchasing non-refundable rooms and flights to an event that can very much be cancelled. Hopefully this law gets fixed and someday they come back and make everyone happy.

This x1000000

Seriously, so many of the reactions on here are truly embarrassing. "Music and politics shouldn't mix"??? "Fuck you, Eddie"??? Bands shouldn't preach???

To the person who suggested that this may cause fans to take their anger out against the LGBT community, they should take that anger to the state capitol and protest those who made the law.

rssesq

The Daily News is Mort Zuckerman trash

Pearl34Jam

given2fly23 said:

Tim Simmons said:

fall by the wayside said:

Proud to be a fan of this band today. Ashamed to be a part of this fan base. I get it. I would be upset too. We all look so forward to these shows. But the selfishness and childishness is ridiculous. The band is not punishing you. You are collateral damage. It sucks. It's just that the band thinks the civil rights of others are more important than your concert. End story. It's also unfortunate to see tough life lessons being learned about purchasing non-refundable rooms and flights to an event that can very much be cancelled. Hopefully this law gets fixed and someday they come back and make everyone happy.

This x1000000

Seriously, so many of the reactions on here are truly embarrassing. "Music and politics shouldn't mix"??? "Fuck you, Eddie"??? Bands shouldn't preach???

To the person who suggested that this may cause fans to take their anger out against the LGBT community, they should take that anger to the state capitol and protest those who made the law.

The band should preach verbally on this issue if they have something to say.

on2legs

Someone once said... You can't be neutral on a moving train.

farfromglorified

AlaG said:

farfromglorified said:

AlaG said:

While I feel bummed for all the peeps with non-refundable plane tickets and hotel bookings, you also need to recognize that you're in a very small percentage of the band's fanbase. I doubt when making these decisions, their first thought is - "but man, we'd really be screwing that .5% of our fanbase that travels nationwide to see us".

You know what this post reminds me of? Politicians who pass discriminatory laws aimed at a small percentage of the population.

Except their intent isn't to punish you at all... So no, not really. Not at all, actually.

I'm fairly certain that the morons who passed HB2 don't believe their intent was to punish anyone either. They believe they're standing up for something and they're choosing to ignore that they're pissing on "a very small percentage" of people in the process.

rssesq

rssesq said:

rssesq said:

what boot is it (I own it and cant remember) that Eddie does that incredible North Caroliiiiiinnnnnaaaa, north caroliiiinaaaa tag

Tim Simmons

I think the only reasonable recourse angry/outraged fans have at this point is to give up on the band. It's been a good run. Sell your stuff in Lost Dogs, make your goodbye meltdown thread and then walk away. I mean, it's for the best.

kusko_andy

I have supported the band's activism forever. This, however, was the wrong move. There's just no way to sugarcoat it. I don't feel so much for the people flying or driving in from out-of-state as I feel for the locals who have now been screwed both by their legislators AND their favorite band.

PJ5a1

Their decision to not play does nothing in changing the law. If they really wanted to make a difference find a way to broadcast the show on the internet for ALL to see. Speak heavily on the law and why they oppose it; have members who are supporting activism against the law speak on it. There's a number of decisions they could have made that would be more constructive to their beliefs on this law. Instead, by cancelling their show they are hurting the person working the show, the bars/restaurants around the venue, the blue collar workers who they love and the fans who paid money to see them perform.

The surrounding government is not losing sleep over this or is going to wake up on 04/21 and think to themselves that Pearl Jam didn't play Raleigh last night so we should probably reconsider this law. The only people that this hurts are the blue collar workers and the fans.

OceansMagnet

I posted this a while back in the Bruce thread but thought I would place it here as well.
If one of the shows I was planning on attending were to be cancelled over a law that I knew was unjust but that didn't affect me I would be furious... I would rant and cry foul and probably act like a spoiled brat... but having grown up gay in rural northern Louisiana in the 1980's, having Rock Hudson die of AIDS on my 14th birthday and hearing aids jokes about his death as they cut my birthday cake, having suffered abuse from the family that I was born into, the family that were supposed to be the ones to protect me but instead sent me off to a camp in hopes that some evangelist could change me, having had to assimilate into a religion that I knew was bullshit from an early age just to be left the fuck alone and to be taught that if I acknowledged my true self I would be hated by God, then I have to say that it's about damn time that somebody stood up for me and all the other ones like me. It's not just the law that needs changing. It's the hearts and minds of people who preach this hate. It's the culture of assholes who are inflicting harm in the name of God. I realize that those of you with good seats and non-refundable travel plans just want to scream "it's not fair!" Well you're absolutely right... and playing the show or cancelling it either way may make little difference as to invoking change... but knowing that the musicians who have made some of the worst times in my life bearable are willing to stand up and tell the world that I fucking matter... To lead by example in hope that the rest of you will acknowledge that kids should never have to grow up living in fear and shame for just being something that they have absolutely no choice in being, for saying it's not okay that so many lgbtq kids to commit suicide from carrying guilt and shame, well you see it may not change the world but it gives us a little hope. I think I've turned out pretty okay considering the road I have travelled. I have gathered my speed from them fucking with me. But now maybe just maybe once and for all finally the shades will be raised.

To those of you who are hurting right now from losing this show. Thank you for the sacrifice you are making even if it's involuntary. Peace and Love.

given2fly23

Pearl34Jam said:

The band should preach verbally on this issue if they have something to say.

I don't disagree, but the band was in a tough position here and as a fan who has seen them take on issues from t-shirt prices (before they controlled their own merch) to capital punishment, they have earned my trust. That's why I feel bad for the fans but also respect the band's decision.

mcgruff10

Tim Simmons said:

I think the only reasonable recourse angry/outraged fans have at this point is to give up on the band. It's been a good run. Sell your stuff in Lost Dogs, make your goodbye meltdown thread and then walk away. I mean, it's for the best.

I agree. Especially if you have good tickets to msg 2!