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

923Mikey

I've been looking forward to this concert ever since I saw pearl Jam last in Charlotte in 2013. Extremely heartbroken they have canceled two days prior. Sooner notice would have given me a chance to attend ones of the shows in SC or VA. Their music means so much to me. Maybe I'm selfish. I did not bring on HB2. I just wanted to see my favorite band live again.

PJ_Soul

I support this decision. They are obviously doing what they think is best, and I feel like the pressure is serving its purpose.

JimmyV

Mike D88 said:

JimmyV said:

Is there a case to be made that waiting till two days before the show was the right way to handle this? I've been racking my brain and can't come up with one. This really feels like a misstep.

Way more publicity. If the show was cancelled two weeks ago, we'd be talking about it here, but none of the casual fans--the majority filling up those thousands of seats to hear Even Flow--would take much notice. There would not be 300 articles on Google News, to be sure.

There's a greater potential for economic disruption as well, and nothing gets people politically motivated like impacts to business. The arena can't book something else on that date, hotels and rental car agencies will be inundated with cancellations and chargebacks, restaurants won't see the additional business, etc etc.

I disagree. I think this would have been exactly as big a story last week as it is this week. I don't think the two days notice plays any role in media attention. Only in fan anger.

nukeboot

jeffwalsh said:

JimmyV said:

But since I know Louis CK canceled a show 48 hours out, and Bruce also did it, there does seem to be something to it.

Louis CK went ahead with his shows and donated the proceeds to a Equality NC.

JJ262810

choop said:

99.9% of the fan base have no idea what it would be like to be transgendered and needing to use a public bathroom. The overwhelming amount of Pearl Jam fans are white men, who don't know what it's like to be discriminated against. You might not know what it's like to live in a city where the minimum wage doesn't cut it, but unlike other cities like Seattle, have a local government who can do nothing about it.

You live in your bubble focusing on what rock show you can no longer attend this week, when people have struggles and issues that are based in real life.

NO I attend a music concert to escape from "the real life" and try to have some enjoyment in life.

We are talking about bathrooms. That is what we are talking about freaking bathrooms.

Listen I have no argument that the law is non sense and needs to be changed but canceling a concert on two days notice is a poor decision.

Ledbetterman10

Mignelli14 said:

Ledbetterman10 said:

choop said:

99.9% of the fan base have no idea what it would be like to be transgendered and needing to use a public bathroom. The overwhelming amount of Pearl Jam fans are white men, who don't know what it's like to be discriminated against.

This is true. But I gotta admit to being kinda confused on this whole issue. You note how awkward it must be to be transgendered and have to use a public restroom. I agree it must be. But wasn't the intent of this law to designate which bathroom to use? So that transgendered people don't have to wonder which one they should use or which one might offend people.Again, I'm of the understanding that this was the lawmakers intent. I don't think there was any malice behind it. But again, I'm not complete sure about all aspects of the issue.

I really like that you looked at this from a different angle, one I hadn't even considered. Kudos to you. Very interesting opinion at the least

Well I just feel that no lawmaker, even the dumbest among them, is going to discriminate just for the sake of discriminating. Especially in today's PC culture. So I feel the lawmakers were probably acting in good faith...but just without much sensitivity or discretion

marcos

JimmyV said:

Is there a case to be made that waiting till two days before the show was the right way to handle this? I've been racking my brain and can't come up with one. This really feels like a misstep.

I racked my brain a bit too, am not certain, but believe by waiting only two days before, it's more impactful to the arena and local economy as there's no time to schedule something, or anything in it's place, and they were preparing for more commerce, security, & such, and now nothing. Schedules & preparations were surely set up by the latest, this morning, and now nothing with no time to schedule anything whatsoever. Probably more costly for the band to do it this way (& especially their fans) but I guess way more impactful???

kusko_andy

923Mikey said:

I've been looking forward to this concert ever since I saw pearl Jam last in Charlotte in 2013. Extremely heartbroken they have canceled two days prior. Sooner notice would have given me a chance to attend ones of the shows in SC or VA. Their music means so much to me. Maybe I'm selfish. I did not bring on HB2. I just wanted to see my favorite band live again.

Oh, you are definitely selfish. As another person said earlier, you are collateral damage. Deal with it.

At least, that's the tenor of the posts I've read supporting PJ's decision.

jeffwalsh

nukeboot said:

Louis CK went ahead with his shows and donated the proceeds to a Equality NC.

I'm referring to him canceling his Madison Square Garden shows 48 hours out before a winter storm last year, which makes me think that is some magic financial hurdle at an arena show where a decision has to be made. As to why you can't do it before then, I have no clue, heh.

Neillo189

I hope Pearl Jam reads this. Why? Because they need support in this too.

At first, I was little ticked, for the fans. Then I had to think.

Which is what I assume is a similar process Pearl Jam had to go through to make the decision they did.

I think some of the fans here owe Pearl Jam an apology. This band has everyone in mind. Not just you. To think they didn't consider your reaction and views is ludicrous.

Let's also be real. They are more than a rock band now. Middle aged men very advanced in their professional life, businessmen, activists, parents, role models, that have proven to live by principal. You know this, if you're a fan of them enough to travel by plane to see them. It's why they are as good as they are, why we follow them, and why we love them. Rhetorical questions: Do you expect they would compromise their principles, in order to not anger a few people, and more importantly, do you think they are at a stage in their career that they can't do what they want? In other words, I don't think they give a f**k if some don't understand, nor do I think they should. My opinion is, I'm betting their collective attitude is, 'if we haven't even earned that right and respect, especially after giving what we have, then what have we earned?' They are beyond just the music now. Accept it or don't.

Speaking of what they have given: hope, love ideas, inspiration and fucking awesome music to millions of people for over 20 years. And they make a decision, that we know wasn't easy for them, that they feel is best for everyone in the end (not to mention they have a track record of being on the right side), and the they get shit on by certain people. I say, f***ing see ya to those fans. I understand the frustration, but some here should do some thinking instead of reacting. Money comes and goes, is that the worst of it? So if you were refunded the total amount, Pearl Jam would be your best friends again? I think not. And I'll close this paragraph by stating, are you not entitled in your own life to make stands that hurt some but help others? Do you care as much as Pj does when making those decisions, or do you just do what's best for you and fuck the rest? If you're like the majority, you wouldn't care less about who it affects when making your stands. Pj does, trust that. I bet they want to offer refunds on planes etc, but shitty people would take advantage of it. It's not smart of them to open that door. Nor do they have to. Take them or leave them, it's always been that way. They aren't happy you lost money, this I believe.

Lastly, what really made me understand is when thought about this: imagine if someone you love, a son or daughter, parent or friend, or you yourself, were LGBT, and were being treated this way. Then, would you still be so mad? And, the life you will lead post cancelled concert, is it as bad as being LBGT and treated differently your whole life and up to this point in time? No, this move by them doesn't fix that. But history will note that they made a statement, and it will not note that you lost money. Further, if I was LBGT, I would feel like there is hope with any awareness of this bullshit, no matter how small. What moves have you made recently to change others lives? That is what Pj stands for now.

I applaud them. There are no winners in this. By the way, I'm not LGBT and I'm a registered republican. I am however impacted enough to investigate further and question what is going on, because I trust their decision.

I believe that was their intention.

ryanjep

One thing that often gets overlooked in HB2 is that cities can no longer raise minimum wage on their own. Minimum wage would have to be raised at the state level. I know it's a much smaller issue than the discrimination and rightly so but I still like pointing it out since it gets little coverage and i've seen people call this the "bathroom bill".

JJ262810

choop said:

Tons of respect for Pearl Jam today. You can compare this to laws in other states or conditions in other countries or whatever, but that's silly. The national focus is on this one. As it should be. Discrimination based on any factor in a government sanctioned form is no good.

Oh yea cause current issues in Chicago are not in the news. They are playing two shows there, but I highly doubt they cancel those since they are so close to Ricketts, Emanuel and the boys.

jeffwalsh

Neillo189 said:

I believe that was their intention.

Well said, I get the anger, but hopefully this is where most will land... maybe?

choop

JJ262810 said:

choop said:

Tons of respect for Pearl Jam today. You can compare this to laws in other states or conditions in other countries or whatever, but that's silly. The national focus is on this one. As it should be. Discrimination based on any factor in a government sanctioned form is no good.

Oh yea cause current issues in Chicago are not in the news. They are playing two shows there, but I highly doubt they cancel those since they are so close to Ricketts, Emanuel and the boys.

i like that this is the part you focused on. you think you have some type of winning narrative with this argument, but you don't.

BF89905

I am really sympathetic for those that lost money on pre-booked travel plans. Would an earlier decision, approximately around the time when Springsteen cancelled his show, made a difference for the fans that are losing out on travel expenses?
This HB2 law is an abhorrent, discriminatory piece of legislation. To quote Macklemore : It's human rights for everybody, there is no difference!
Be empahetic and kind to others...... have a good week everyone

Mike D88

JJ262810 said:

choop said:

Tons of respect for Pearl Jam today. You can compare this to laws in other states or conditions in other countries or whatever, but that's silly. The national focus is on this one. As it should be. Discrimination based on any factor in a government sanctioned form is no good.

Oh yea cause current issues in Chicago are not in the news. They are playing two shows there, but I highly doubt they cancel those since they are so close to Ricketts, Emanuel and the boys.

Nobody cares about your AM radio talking points.

Sea

Please remember: http://community.pearljam.com/discussion/228366/forum-posting-guidelines
Discuss, disagree and debate politely. It's possible to disagree with people without being abusive, and it's a requirement here.
Thank you

pljam

I would have thought a concert was the ideal platform to be vocal in ones disapproval on this law
Play the show .reinterate throughout your beliefs for or against,obviously against ,let's face it ,Ed speaks people listen he processes that gift
It's really harsh on the fans that were traveling ,paid accommodation,took leave etc
I am not sure if it is the correct stance cancelling and do see the power it pushes by doing so but equally I think the spear hurts a lot trying to hit its target
I am from Aus so it doesn't impact me one bit apart from the fact I feel very sorry for the fans as reasons mentioned above

jeffwalsh

ryanjep said:

One thing that often gets overlooked in HB2 is that cities can no longer raise minimum wage on their own. Minimum wage would have to be raised at the state level. I know it's a much smaller issue than the discrimination and rightly so but I still like pointing it out since it gets little coverage and i've seen people call this the "bathroom bill".

There is also something that removes the right of state workers to sue under an anti-discrimination law, which I think means people have to sue federally as a first step. There's a lot of chestnuts in this trans trojan horse bill.

I've been a member of this site since 2006, and this is the issue that it going to make me cross 100 posts?! Lordy.

KR151056

1 - 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.

THIS SMACKS OF "ME TOO". ZERO ORIGINALITY!
DEEP CONSIDERATION ONLY ALLOWED YOU TO GIVE US 2 DAYS NOTICE? TSK TSK!

WHY HAVE ANY REGRETS? BE THE BIGGER PARTY AND PLAY ON!

2 - 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.

HB2 WAS NOT PASSED BY NC VOTERS! IT WAS DONE ON THE SLY BY SITTING LEGISLATURE.

ADDITIONALLY, NO ONE CAN LEGISLATE LOVE. ED COMMENTS REGULARLY ABOUT JUDGING PEOPLE BECAUSE OF WHO THEY LOVE. IS THAT GUILT???? OR IS HE ASSUMING PJ'S FAN BASE IS A BUNCH OF BIGOTS? #INSULTING

3 - 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.

WAIT. WHAT HAPPENED TO THE PJ THAT TOOK THEIR OWN APPROACH? WHY NOT PLAY RALEIGH AND MAKE IT A CALL TO ACTION, AND UTILIZE ALL THOSE ATTENDING? WHY TAKE THE EASY WAY OUT LIKE BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN AND JUST BE A NO SHOW?

IF YOU'RE GOING TO BECOME FOLLOWERS, WHY NOT LOOK TO HOW CYNDI LAUPER, LOUIS CK, AND MUMFORD & SONS LEAD AND DONATE PROCEEDS?



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

HOW ABOUT SPEAKING TO PJ FANS WHO LOST WAGES, VACATION DAYS, TICKET FEES, TICKET COST, TRAVEL, ETC. AND FACILITATE THEM RECOUPING THEIR FUNDS. WE ALL PAID FOR A ROCK CONCERT, NOT TO BE PAWNS IN PJ'S POLITICAL AGENDA.

#WWMBD

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